Num 15:22-26 | MHM | STEP | Numbers 15:22 – Sacrifices for Sins of Ignorance This section explains God’s instructions for what the Israelites should do if they sinned by mistake—especially by forgetting or neglecting God’s commandments. These laws show that even unintentional sins need forgiveness and that God provides a way for people to be made right with Him. The rules apply both to the whole community and to individuals, including foreigners who join Israel. This encourages everyone to take God’s commandments seriously and to seek forgiveness, even for things done in ignorance. v. 22-26 : If the whole congregation sinned by ignorance, such as forgetting a law or a ritual, they had to offer a sacrifice for atonement. This could happen if a commandment was not followed for a while and then later rediscovered (Num. 15:22–26 ). The people would bring a young bull for a burnt offering and a goat for a sin offering. This would cover the sin of the entire nation. The same law is found in Leviticus 4:13, 21 . King Hezekiah did something similar when he offered sacrifices for the errors of previous generations (2 Chron. 29:21 ), and so did the people after the exile (Ezra 8:35 ).

‏ Numbers 15:22-26

Numbers 15:22 – Sacrifices for Sins of Ignorance

This section explains God’s instructions for what the Israelites should do if they sinned by mistake—especially by forgetting or neglecting God’s commandments. These laws show that even unintentional sins need forgiveness and that God provides a way for people to be made right with Him. The rules apply both to the whole community and to individuals, including foreigners who join Israel. This encourages everyone to take God’s commandments seriously and to seek forgiveness, even for things done in ignorance.

v. 22-26: If the whole congregation sinned by ignorance, such as forgetting a law or a ritual, they had to offer a sacrifice for atonement. This could happen if a commandment was not followed for a while and then later rediscovered (Num. 15:22–26 ^a). The people would bring a young bull for a burnt offering and a goat for a sin offering. This would cover the sin of the entire nation. The same law is found in Leviticus 4:13, 21 ^b. King Hezekiah did something similar when he offered sacrifices for the errors of previous generations (2 Chron. 29:21 ^c), and so did the people after the exile (Ezra 8:35 ^d).

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