Numbers 15:32
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְנֵֽי
And while the children
H1121
בְנֵֽי
And while the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 10
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
were in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר
were in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
4 of 10
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
וַֽיִּמְצְא֗וּ
they found
H4672
וַֽיִּמְצְא֗וּ
they found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אִ֛ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֛ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ
that gathered
H7197
מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ
that gathered
Strong's:
H7197
Word #:
7 of 10
to forage for straw, stubble or wood; figuratively, to assemble
עֵצִ֖ים
sticks
H6086
עֵצִ֖ים
sticks
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
8 of 10
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Historical Context
This occurred during the wilderness period when God's holiness was being impressed upon Israel through dramatic judgments (Nadab and Abihu, Korah's rebellion, etc.). The Sabbath command was foundational to the covenant (Exodus 20:8-11), making its violation a direct challenge to God's authority.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the holiness of God inform your understanding of obedience?
- What 'small' sins might actually constitute 'high-handed' rebellion against known truth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The incident of the Sabbath-breaker immediately follows laws about presumptuous sin (verses 30-31). His deliberate gathering of sticks on the Sabbath constituted 'high-handed' rebellion against God's explicit command. The severity of the punishment demonstrates that covenant violation, especially when willful and public, threatened the entire community's relationship with God.