Numbers 15:32
Numbers 15:32 in Multiple Translations
While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.
¶ And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks upon the sabbath day.
Now while the children of Israel were in the waste land, they saw a man who was getting sticks on the Sabbath day.
During the time the Israelites were wandering in the desert, a man was caught collecting firewood on the Sabbath.
And while the children of Israel were in the wildernesse, they found a man that gathered stickes vpon the Sabbath day.
And the sons of Israel are in the wilderness, and they find a man gathering wood on the sabbath-day,
While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath-day.
And it came to pass, when the children of Israel were in the wilderness, and had found a man gathering sticks on the sabbath day,
One day, while the Israelis were in the desert, some of them saw a man who was gathering firewood on the Sabbath/rest day.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 15:32
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 15:32 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּהְי֥וּ
בְנֵֽי
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר
וַֽ/יִּמְצְא֗וּ
אִ֛ישׁ
מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ
עֵצִ֖ים
בְּ/י֥וֹם
הַ/שַּׁבָּֽת
וַ/יִּהְי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בְנֵֽי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Prep | N-ms
וַֽ/יִּמְצְא֗וּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ
qâshash
H7197
to gather
V-m
עֵצִ֖ים
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-mp
בְּ/י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Prep | N-ms
הַ/שַּׁבָּֽת
shabbâth
H7676
Sabbath
Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 15:32
וַ/יִּהְי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בְנֵֽי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
בַּ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
וַֽ/יִּמְצְא֗וּ
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ
qâshash
H7197
"to gather"
V-m
This verb means to gather or assemble, like when the Israelites gathered straw in Exodus 5:7-12. It can also mean to forage for materials. The KJV translates it as gather.
Definition: to gather, collect, gather stubble or sticks
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: gather (selves) (together). See also: Exodus 5:7; Numbers 15:33; Zephaniah 2:1.
עֵצִ֖ים
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-mp
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
בְּ/י֥וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הַ/שַּׁבָּֽת
shabbâth
H7676
"Sabbath"
Art | N-cs
The Hebrew word for the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, as commanded by God in Exodus 20:8-11 and observed by the Israelites. It is a special day set apart for spiritual renewal and reflection, as Jesus taught in Matthew 12:1-14.
Definition: Sabbath 1a) sabbath 1b) day of atonement 1c) sabbath year 1d) week 1e) produce (in sabbath year)
Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] every) sabbath. See also: Exodus 16:23; 2 Chronicles 2:3; Psalms 92:1.
Study Notes — Numbers 15:32
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 15:32 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 15:32
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 15:32
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 15:32
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 15:32
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 15:32
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 15:32
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 15:32
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 15:32
- Sermons on Numbers 15:32
Context — A Sabbath-Breaker Stoned
30But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people.
31He shall certainly be cut off, because he has despised the word of the LORD and broken His commandment; his guilt remains on him.”
32While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.
33Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation, 34and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 35:2–3 | For six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death. Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” |
| 2 | Exodus 31:14–15 | Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people. For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death. |
| 3 | Exodus 20:8–10 | Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. |
| 4 | Exodus 16:27–28 | Yet on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they did not find anything. Then the LORD said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep My commandments and instructions? |
| 5 | Exodus 16:23 | He told them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.’” |
Numbers 15:32 Summary
[This verse tells us about a man who was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day, which was a day of rest commanded by God. The man's actions showed that he was not taking God's commands seriously, and this had serious consequences. We can learn from this story by prioritizing rest and worship in our own lives, just like God commanded the Israelites to do, as seen in Exodus 20:8-11. By doing so, we can cultivate a deeper reverence for God's commands and a greater desire to obey them.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was gathering wood on the Sabbath day a significant issue?
Gathering wood on the Sabbath day was a significant issue because it was a clear violation of the command to rest on the Sabbath, as stated in Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15. This act of disobedience showed a lack of reverence for God's commands.
What can we learn from the fact that this man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day?
We can learn that our actions have consequences, and deliberately disobeying God's commands can lead to serious repercussions, as seen in Numbers 15:30-31. It also highlights the importance of respecting God's commands, as emphasized in Psalm 119:4-6.
How does this verse relate to the concept of rest and worship?
This verse relates to the concept of rest and worship by showing that the Sabbath day was meant to be a day of rest and worship, not a day for ordinary activities like gathering wood, as stated in Isaiah 58:13-14. It emphasizes the importance of setting aside time to focus on God and recharge spiritually.
What does this verse teach us about the importance of obedience to God's commands?
This verse teaches us that obedience to God's commands is crucial, and disobedience can have serious consequences, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:1-7. It highlights the importance of respecting and following God's commands, as emphasized in Matthew 22:37-40.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can prioritize rest and worship in my own life, just like God commanded the Israelites to do?
- How can I balance my daily responsibilities with the need to rest and recharge spiritually?
- What are some common 'Sabbath-day activities' in my own life that I need to re-evaluate in light of God's commands?
- How can I cultivate a deeper reverence for God's commands and a greater desire to obey them?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 15:32
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness,.... According to Aben Ezra, in the wilderness of Sinai; for it is a common notion of the Jews, that though this fact is recorded here, yet was
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 15:32
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. A man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 15:32
This seems to be added as an example of a presumptuous sin; for as the law of the sabbath was plain and positive, so this transgression of it must needs be a known and wilful sin.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 15:32
(32) And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness . . . —Better, Now the children of Israel were in the wilderness, and they found, &c. It is probable that the incident which is here recorded is designed to illustrate the presumptuous sins which were to be punished by death. The offence may have been committed shortly after the promulgation of the commandments contained in this chapter, but all that is certain is that it was committed “in the wilderness,” i.e., according to Ibn Ezra, in the wilderness of Sinai, but more probably during the period of the wanderings in the wilderness after the arrival at Kadesh. No inference can be drawn from this verse as to the time at which the account was committed to writing. The observance of the Sabbath was obligatory in the wilderness as well as in the land of Canaan (comp. Exodus 16:27-30), and the punishment of death had already been denounced against those who profaned it by doing any work thereon (see Exodus 31:15; Exodus 35:2), but the manner in which death was to be inflicted does not appear to have been hitherto declared. The same verb which is here rendered “declared” occurs in the parallel case of the blasphemer in Leviticus 24:12, where it is rendered “shewed”:—“And they put him in ward, that the mind of the Lord might be shewed them.” The punishment of death had already been denounced against those who cursed father or mother (Leviticus 20:9). It could hardly be thought that a lighter punishment was to be inflicted on one who blasphemed the name of Jehovah, but in that case, as in this, the mode of death does not appear to have been previously enjoined.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 15:32
Verse 32. They found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath] This was in all likelihood a case of that kind supposed above: the man despised the word of the Lord, and therefore broke his commandment; see Numbers 15:31. On this ground he was punished with the utmost rigour of the law.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 15:32
32–36. The penalty for breaking the Sabbath. This section was perhaps placed by the compiler next to the preceding because it relates a signal instance of deliberate transgression.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 15:32
Moses mentions here, as is his wont (compare Leviticus 24:10-16), the first open transgression and its punishment in order to exemplify the laws which he is laying down.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 15:32
32. While… in the wilderness — This is one of Colenso’s texts for disproving the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch.
Sermons on Numbers 15:32
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Honoring the Sabbath by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of honoring the Sabbath and how it has personally impacted his life. He emphasizes that while many people may value the legal s |
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Three Marks of New Convenant Life by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not turning back and instead, pressing forward to win the battle and conquer new territories. He encourages the audience to |
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The Sabbath & Sabbatarianism by J.I. Packer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of Christian liberty in relation to the Fourth Commandment. He explains that the reformers believed that apart from attending wor |
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(Exodus) Exodus 31:12-17 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of observing the Sabbath day. He emphasizes that the Sabbath was given to the children of Israel as a sign between them and G |
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Weighed in the Balance (Sermon Reading) by D.L. Moody | In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a scene of chaos and destruction, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to the word "Tinkle." He then urges the congregat |
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Beginning of the End by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Feeding of the Five Thousand, where Jesus teaches his disciples a valuable lesson. The preacher emphasizes the importance of giving every |
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How to Bring Your Children to Christ by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences and observations about the transformative power of God's word. He emphasizes the importance of having a fear of God and reco |