---
title: "Clarke"
description: "remember the commandments of the Lord, that they might be holy, 39-41. NOTES ON CHAP. XV Verse Numbers 15:2. When ye be come into the land — Some learned"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/numbers/15"
---

*remember the commandments of the Lord, that they might be holy*,
39-41.
NOTES ON CHAP. XV

Verse [Numbers 15:2](../../../kjv/numbers/15/2). ***When ye be come into the land*** — Some learned men are of opinion that several offerings prescribed by the law were not intended to be made in the *wilderness*, but in the promised land; the former not affording those conveniences which were necessary to the complete observance of the Divine worship in this and several other respects.

Verse [Numbers 15:3](../../../kjv/numbers/15/3). ***And will make an offering*** — For the different kinds of offerings, sacrifices, c., see [Leviticus 1:2](../../../kjv/leviticus/1/2), [Leviticus 1:7](../../../kjv/leviticus/1/7).

Verse [Numbers 15:5](../../../kjv/numbers/15/5). ***The fourth*****part*****of a hin*** — The quantity of meal and flour was augmented in proportion to the *size* of the sacrifice with which it was offered. With a LAMB or a KID were offered *one* tenth deal of flour, (the tenth part of an ephah, [Exodus 29:40](../../../kjv/exodus/29/40),) the *fourth* part of a hin of *oil*, and the *fourth* part of a hin of *wine*. With a RAM, *two* tenth deals of flour, a *third* part of a hin of *oil*, and a *third* part of a hin of *wine*. With a BULLOCK, *three* tenth deals of flour, *half* a hin of *oil*, and *half* a hin of *wine*. See [Numbers 15:4-11](../../../kjv/numbers/15/4-11).

Verse [Numbers 15:14](../../../kjv/numbers/15/14). ***If a stranger sojourn*** — See the notes on Le 19:33; Le 22:9. When the case of the Jewish people is fairly considered, and their situation with respect to the surrounding idolatrous nations, we shall see the absolute necessity of having but one *form* of *worship* in the land. That alone was genuine which was prescribed by the Almighty, and no others could be tolerated, because they were idolatrous. All *strangers*- all that came to *sojourn* in the land, were required to conform to it; and it was right that those who did conform to it should have equal rights and privileges with the Hebrews themselves, which we find was the case. But under the Christian dispensation, as no particular *form* of worship is prescribed, the types and ceremonies of the Mosaic institution being all fulfilled, unlimited toleration should be allowed; and while the sacred writings are made the basis of the worship offered to God, every man should be allowed to worship according to his own conscience, for in this respect every one is
"Lord of himself, accountable to none
But to his conscience and his God alone."

Verse [Numbers 15:20](../../../kjv/numbers/15/20). ***Ye shall offer - the first of your dough*** — Concerning the offerings of *first-fruits*, [Exodus 22:29](../../../kjv/exodus/22/29).

Verse [Numbers 15:24](../../../kjv/numbers/15/24). ***If*****aught*****be committed by ignorance*** — [Leviticus 4:2](../../../kjv/leviticus/4/2), and *"*[Leviticus 5:17](../../../kjv/leviticus/5/17)*"*. The case here probably refers to the whole congregation; the cases above, to the sin of an individual.

Verse [Numbers 15:25](../../../kjv/numbers/15/25). ***The priest shall make an atonement*** — Even sins committed through ignorance required an atonement; and God in his mercy has provided one for them.

Verse [Numbers 15:30](../../../kjv/numbers/15/30). ***But the soul that doeth*****aught*****presumptuously*** — Bold daring acts of transgression against the fullest evidence, and in *despite* of the Divine authority, admitted of no atonement; the person was to be *cut off*- to be excluded from God's people, and from all their privileges and blessings.
Probably the presumption mentioned here implied an utter contempt of the word and authority of God, springing from an *idolatrous* or *atheistical* mind. ln such a case all repentance was precluded, because of the denial of the *word* and *being* of God. It is probably a case similar to that mentioned [Hebrews 6:4-8](../../../kjv/hebrews/6/4-8); [Hebrews 10:26-31](../../../kjv/hebrews/10/26-31); on which passages see the notes.

Verse [Numbers 15:32](../../../kjv/numbers/15/32). ***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](../../../kjv/numbers/15/31). On this ground he was punished with the utmost rigour of the law.

Verse [Numbers 15:36](../../../kjv/numbers/15/36). ***Stoned him*** — [Leviticus 24:23](../../../kjv/leviticus/24/23); [Leviticus 24:23](../../../kjv/leviticus/24/23).

Verse 38. ***Bid them - make them fringes*** — We learn from [Numbers 15:39](../../../kjv/numbers/15/39) that these *fringes* were emblematical of the various *commands* of God. That there was any analogy between a *fringe* and a *precept*, it would be bold to assert; but when a thing is appointed to *represent* another, no matter how different, that first object be comes the regular representative or sign of the other. There is no analogy between the term *bread* and the *farinaceous* nutritive substance thereby signified; but because this term is used to express and represent that thing, every person thus understands it; and when the word bread is seen or heard, a perfect knowledge, not of the *letters* which compose that word, but of the *thing* signified by it, is conveyed to the mind. So the *fringes*, being appointed by God to represent and bring to mind the *commandments* of God, [Numbers 15:39](../../../kjv/numbers/15/39), the mention or sight of them conveyed the intelligence intended. All the Jews wore these, and so probably did our Lord; see [Matthew 9:20](../../../kjv/matthew/9/20), where the word κρασπεον is rather to be understood of the *fringe* than of the *hem* of his garment.

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