Numbers 15:34 Study Bible: They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.

◄ Numbers 15:34 ►

and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.

and they placed him in custody
This phrase indicates a temporary holding situation, reflecting the seriousness with which the Israelites approached the law. The Hebrew root for "custody" is "מִשְׁמָר" (mishmar), which implies a guarded or watchful state. This reflects the community's responsibility to uphold God's commandments while awaiting divine guidance. Historically, this action underscores the importance of communal order and the need for clarity in legal matters, especially when dealing with potential breaches of the Sabbath law.

because it had not been declared
The phrase highlights a moment of uncertainty and the need for divine instruction. The Hebrew word "נִפְרַשׁ" (niphrash) suggests something that is not yet made clear or explicit. This reflects the Israelites' dependence on God's revelation for guidance in uncharted situations. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will in times of ambiguity, a principle that remains relevant for believers today.

what should be done to him
This phrase points to the need for a just resolution according to God's law. The Hebrew root "עָשָׂה" (asah) means to do or to make, indicating an action that aligns with divine justice. The historical context here is crucial, as the Israelites were establishing a society governed by God's statutes. This reflects the broader biblical theme of justice and righteousness, reminding believers of the importance of aligning human actions with divine principles.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Man Gathering Sticks
This individual was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath, an act that led to his being placed in custody. His actions prompted a need for clarification on the law regarding Sabbath observance.

2. The Israelites
The community of God's chosen people, who were responsible for upholding the laws given to them by God through Moses.

3. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who was responsible for seeking God's guidance on how to handle the situation.

4. The Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites were journeying after their exodus from Egypt, a place of testing and learning God's laws.

5. The Sabbath
A holy day of rest commanded by God, which was central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Obedience
The incident underscores the necessity of adhering to God's commandments, even when the full implications are not immediately clear.

Seeking God's Guidance
When faced with uncertainty, the Israelites sought God's direction through Moses, illustrating the importance of seeking divine wisdom in our decisions.

The Sanctity of the Sabbath
The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant and a day set apart for rest and worship, reminding us of the need to prioritize spiritual rest and reflection in our lives.

Community Responsibility
The community's role in upholding God's laws shows the importance of accountability and collective responsibility in maintaining spiritual integrity.

The Role of Leadership
Moses' role in seeking God's will highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their communities according to divine principles.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does the act of placing the man in custody reveal about the Israelites' understanding of God's law at that time?

2. How can we apply the principle of seeking God's guidance in situations where the right course of action is not immediately clear?

3. In what ways can we honor the principle of the Sabbath in our modern context, even if our observance looks different from that of the Israelites?

4. How does the community's response to the man's actions reflect the importance of accountability within the body of Christ today?

5. What can we learn from Moses' leadership in this situation about the role of spiritual leaders in guiding their communities?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 31:14-15
This passage provides the commandment regarding the Sabbath, emphasizing its sanctity and the severe consequences for its violation.

Leviticus 24:12
Similar to Numbers 15:34, this verse describes a situation where someone was placed in custody until God's will was made clear, highlighting the importance of seeking divine guidance.

Deuteronomy 5:12-15
This passage reiterates the command to observe the Sabbath, reminding the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt as a reason for rest.

Sermons

The Doom of the Presumptuous Illustrated by that of the Sabbath- Breaker	D. Young	Numbers 15:30-36
Gathering Sticks on the Sabbath	J. N. Norton, D. D.	Numbers 15:32-36
Obedience Tested in the Little	J. Parker, D. D.	Numbers 15:32-36
Punishment of Sabbath-Breaking	C. Ness.	Numbers 15:32-36
The Law of the Sabbath: a Solemn Vindication	D. Young	Numbers 15:32-36
The Sabbath-Breaker and His Doom	W. Jones.	Numbers 15:32-36

People

Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses

Places

Egypt, Wilderness of Paran

Topics

Clear, Custody, Declared, Directions, Explained, Plain, Shut, Ward

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Numbers 15:32-36

4366 stones

Numbers 15:33-34

5344 imprisonment

Library

List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

We are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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