Numbers 15:26 - All the congregation of the children of Israel shall be forgiven, as well as the stranger who lives as a foreigner among them; for with regard to all the people, it was done unwittingly.

Generated Verse: Numbers 15:26

What does "Numbers 15:26" mean?


Numbers 15:26 refers to a specific type of sin offering prescribed for unintentional sins committed by the entire community of Israel, including resident aliens (strangers who lived among them). Let's break down the meaning:

"All the congregation of the children of Israel shall be forgiven...": This refers to the entire community of Israelites receiving atonement (forgiveness) for their sin.

"...as well as the stranger who lives as a foreigner among them...": This extends the forgiveness to non-Israelites who lived within the Israelite community, abiding by their laws and social structure. This highlights the inclusiveness of the atonement process; it wasn't just for native-born Israelites.

"...for with regard to all the people, it was done unwittingly.": This is the crucial part. The forgiveness applies specifically to sins committed unintentionally or unwittingly. This means the sin was committed out of ignorance, mistake, or accident, rather than with deliberate intent to disobey God's law. The word "unwittingly" implies a lack of awareness or malicious intent.

In essence, the verse means:

If the entire community of Israel, including resident aliens, unintentionally sins (breaks a commandment without realizing it or intending to), they can receive forgiveness through a specific sin offering prescribed for such situations. The fact that the sin was unintentional is what makes this particular offering and forgiveness applicable.

Key takeaways:

Focus on Unintentional Sin: The verse emphasizes unintentional sin as the key to this particular avenue of forgiveness. Deliberate, intentional sin would require a different form of atonement or carry different consequences.
Communal Responsibility: It highlights the idea that the community as a whole can be held accountable for the unintentional sins of its members.
Inclusion: The inclusion of the "stranger" demonstrates that God's law and the process of atonement applied not only to native Israelites but also to those who chose to live among them and adhere to their ways.

This verse reflects the importance of both individual and communal responsibility, as well as the understanding that unintentional mistakes can be forgiven through the prescribed means of atonement within the Israelite religious system. It also showcases a degree of inclusiveness for foreigners living among the Israelites who followed their laws.