Numbers 15:34
Numbers 15:34 in Multiple Translations
and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.
And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
And they put him in ward, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.
And they had him shut up, because they had no directions about what was to be done with him.
They placed him under guard because it wasn't clear what should happen to him.
And they put him warde: for it was not declared what should be done vnto him.
and they place him in ward, for it [is] not explained what is [to be] done to him.
They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.
And they put him in custody, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
And they put him into prison, not knowing what they should do with him.
They guarded him carefully, because they did not know what to do to punish him.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 15:34
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 15:34 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּנִּ֥יחוּ
אֹת֖/וֹ
בַּ/מִּשְׁמָ֑ר
כִּ֚י
לֹ֣א
פֹרַ֔שׁ
מַה
יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה
לֽ/וֹ
וַ/יַּנִּ֥יחוּ
yânach
H3240
to rest
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֹת֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
בַּ/מִּשְׁמָ֑ר
mishmâr
H4929
custody
Prep | N-ms
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
פֹרַ֔שׁ
pârâsh
H6567
to declare
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
לֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 15:34
וַ/יַּנִּ֥יחוּ
yânach
H3240
"to rest"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
To rest or settle down, implying a sense of calmness or stillness, as described in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to rest 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rest, settle down and remain 1a2) to repose, have rest, be quiet 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to rest, give rest to, make quiet 1b2) to cause to rest, cause to alight, set down 1b3) to lay or set down, deposit, let lie, place 1b4) to let remain, leave 1b5) to leave, depart from 1b6) to abandon 1b7) to permit 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to obtain rest, be granted rest 1c2) to be left, be placed 1c3) open space (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: bestow, cast down, lay (down, up), leave (off), let alone (remain), pacify, place, put, set (down), suffer, withdraw, withhold. (The Hiphil forms with the dagesh are here referred to, in accordance with the older grammarians; but if any distinction of the kind is to be made, these should rather be referred to H5117 (נוּחַ), and the others here.) See also: Genesis 2:15; 1 Kings 13:30; Psalms 17:14.
אֹת֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בַּ/מִּשְׁמָ֑ר
mishmâr
H4929
"custody"
Prep | N-ms
Mishmar refers to a place of confinement or a guard. It can be a prison, guard post, or a watch, and is about keeping something or someone safe.
Definition: 1) place of confinement, prison, guard, jail, guard post, watch, observance 1a) jail, prison, guard-house 1b) guard, guard post, act of guarding 1c) observances
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: diligence, guard, office, prison, ward, watch. See also: Genesis 40:3; Nehemiah 4:16; Proverbs 4:23.
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
פֹרַ֔שׁ
pârâsh
H6567
"to declare"
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
To pierce or wound is the meaning of this word, which can be literal or figurative. It is used to describe actions like scattering or declaring something clearly.
Definition: 1) to make distinct, declare, distinguish, separate 1a) (Qal) to declare, clarify 1b) (Pual) to be distinctly declared Aramaic equivalent: pe.rash (פְּרַשׁ "to make clear" H6568)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: scatter, declare, distinctly, shew, sting. See also: Leviticus 24:12; Nehemiah 8:8; Proverbs 23:32.
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Numbers 15:34
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 15:34 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 15:34
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 15:34
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 15:34
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 15:34
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 15:34
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 15:34
Context — A Sabbath-Breaker Stoned
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.
35And the LORD said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death. The whole congregation is to stone him outside the camp.” 36So the whole congregation took the man outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 24:12 | They placed him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them. |
| 2 | Numbers 9:8 | “Wait here until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you,” Moses replied. |
Numbers 15:34 Summary
This verse tells us that the Israelites didn't know what to do with the man who was gathering wood on the Sabbath, so they put him in custody until they could get guidance from God (Numbers 15:34). This shows that they were trying to follow God's commands and were willing to wait for His instructions. We can learn from their example by seeking God's guidance in our own lives, just like it says in Psalm 119:105, and by observing the Sabbath day as a day of rest, as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11. By doing so, we can demonstrate our dependence on God and trust in His plan for our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites place the man in custody instead of immediately punishing him?
The Israelites placed the man in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him, as stated in Numbers 15:34, and they were seeking guidance from God, similar to how they sought guidance in Numbers 9:8 and Leviticus 24:12.
What does this verse reveal about the Israelites' relationship with God?
This verse shows that the Israelites were seeking to follow God's commands and were willing to wait for His guidance, demonstrating their dependence on Him, as seen in Exodus 18:15-16 and Numbers 27:5.
How does this verse relate to the concept of resting on the Sabbath?
The man's actions in gathering wood on the Sabbath day were a violation of the command to rest on the Sabbath, as stated in Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15, highlighting the importance of observing the Sabbath day.
What can we learn from the Israelites' decision to place the man in custody?
We can learn the importance of seeking God's guidance and waiting for His instructions, rather than acting impulsively, as seen in Psalm 119:105 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to seek God's guidance and wait for His instructions?
- How can I demonstrate my dependence on God, like the Israelites did in this verse?
- What are some ways I can observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11?
- What can I learn from the Israelites' willingness to wait for God's guidance, and how can I apply that to my own life?
- How can I balance the need for guidance with the need for action, and what role should faith play in my decision-making process?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 15:34
And they put him in ward,.... In a certain prison in the camp; perhaps the same in which the blasphemer was put, Leviticus 24:12; and for much the same reason: because it was not declared what should
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 15:34
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 15:34
i.e. Moses and Aaron, and the seventy rulers last mentioned. What should be done to him, i.e. in what manner he was to be cut off, or by what kind of death he was to die, which therefore God here particularly determines; otherwise it was known in general that sabbath-breakers were to be put to death, from 35:2.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 15:34
34. It had been declared in Exodus 31:14 f., Numbers 35:2 that Sabbath-breaking must be punished with death, but the method of execution had not been laid down. If, however, the meaning is that they did not know what the man’s punishment should be, the present passage is independent of those in Exodus. The Jews who laid down this law in the period after the exile were sternly acting in accordance with the dictates of their conscience. But (though in early days stern punishments may have been salutary) no Christian is compelled to believe that because the law stands in the Bible it is now in accordance with the mind of God. One effect of Christian civilization has been to confine the death penalty to murderers.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 15:34
Death had indeed been assigned as the penalty Exodus 31:14; Exodus 35:2; but it had not been determined how that death was to be inflicted.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 15:34
34. In ward — In custody as a prisoner. It was not declared — The boundary line between remissible and irremissible sins is too narrow for the unaided eye of man to discover, hence God’s verdict is sought.