Matthew Henry on Numbers 15:22-29
We have here the laws concerning sacrifices for sins of ignorance; the Jews understand it of idolatry, or false worship, through the error of their teachers. The case here supposed is that they had not observed all these commandments, Num 15:22, Num 15:23. If they had failed in the offerings of their acknowledgment, and had not brought them according to the law, then they must bring an offering of atonement, yea, though the omission had been through forgetfulness or mistake. If they failed in one part of the ceremony, they must make it up by the observance of another part, which was in the nature of a remedial law. 1. The case is put of a national sin, committed through ignorance, and become…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 15:27
if any soul sin through ignorance--not only in common with the general body of the people, but his personal sins were to be expiated in the same manner.
John Gill on Numbers 15:28
And the priest shall make atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly,.... By offering his sin offering for him:
when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord; to whom it is known to be such, before whom all things are naked, open, and well known:
to make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him; upon that atonement made by sacrifice; so the forgiveness of the sins of all the Lord's people proceeds upon an atonement made by the blood and sacrifice of Christ: full atonement of sin and free forgiveness are not contrary to each other.
John Calvin on Numbers 15:22-29
Numbers 15:22-29
22. And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses,
22. Quum erraveritis, et non feceritis onmia praecepta haec quae protulit Jehova ad Mosen.
23. Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;
23. Omnia quae praecepit Jehova vobis per manum Mosis a die qua praecepit Jehova et postea per generationes vestras.
24. Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD…
