Numbers 15:36
And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֹּצִ֨יאוּ
brought
H3318
וַיֹּצִ֨יאוּ
brought
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 16
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֹת֜וֹ
H853
אֹת֜וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעֵדָ֗ה
And all the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֗ה
And all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
4 of 16
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
מִחוּץ֙
him without
H2351
מִחוּץ֙
him without
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
the camp
H4264
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
7 of 16
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ
and stoned
H7275
וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ
and stoned
Strong's:
H7275
Word #:
8 of 16
to cast together (stones), i.e., to lapidate
אֹת֛וֹ
H853
אֹת֛וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיָּמֹ֑ת
and he died
H4191
וַיָּמֹ֑ת
and he died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
11 of 16
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
This execution occurred in the wilderness, witnessed by the entire camp. The public nature ensured maximum teaching effect: God's commands were serious, His holiness inviolable, and presumptuous sin deadly. This event stood as warning throughout Israel's subsequent history.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance God's mercy with His holiness and justice?
- What warnings from Scripture do you tend to minimize or ignore?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The congregation executed God's command 'as the LORD commanded Moses.' Their obedience demonstrated submission to divine authority even when the judgment was difficult. This wasn't mob violence but ordered justice, fulfilling covenant obligations. The man's death preserved Israel's holiness and served as perpetual warning against presuming on God's grace.