Numbers 15 16

Numbers 15:16 kjv

One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

Numbers 15:16 nkjv

One law and one custom shall be for you and for the stranger who dwells with you.' "

Numbers 15:16 niv

The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing among you.'?"

Numbers 15:16 esv

One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you."

Numbers 15:16 nlt

The same instructions and regulations will apply both to you and to the foreigners living among you."

Numbers 15 verses

Numbers 15 16 Meaning

Numbers 15:16 declares a fundamental principle for the Israelite community: the same divine law and ordinance are to apply universally to both the native-born Israelite and the resident stranger who lives among them. This ensures equal justice and standards of righteousness within God's covenant people, reflecting His own impartial character and establishing a consistent framework for community life, particularly regarding worship and societal conduct.

Numbers 15 16 Context

Numbers chapter 15 provides various laws and regulations immediately following Israel's wilderness wanderings and rebellion related to the spies, particularly in anticipation of their entry into the Promised Land. The preceding chapters (13-14) recount the catastrophic failure at Kadesh Barnea, leading to the divine decree that the current generation would perish in the wilderness. Despite this judgment, God immediately gives instructions for life and worship in the land, highlighting His faithfulness and ongoing covenant with the future generation.

Chapter 15 details laws concerning offerings (burnt, grain, drink, sin), intentional vs. unintentional sin, and the command for tzitzit (fringes) on garments. Verse 16 appears within the discussion of various sacrifices, emphasizing that whether an offering is made by a native Israelite or a resident alien ("stranger"), the same laws and procedures apply. This expands the scope beyond just sacrificial practices to a general principle ("one law and one ordinance") for all aspects of community life under God's covenant, promoting social equality and religious uniformity for all residents. It sets a foundational principle for how Israel, as a unique nation under God, was to relate to non-Israelites who chose to dwell among them, ensuring that they were subject to the same divine standards and protection.

Numbers 15 16 Word analysis

• One (Hebrew: אֶחָד - echad): Signifies singularity, unity, and impartiality. It underscores that there is no deviation, no special exemption, and no double standard. The law's application is universal for all within the community, reinforcing God's consistent nature.
• law (Hebrew: תּוֹרָה - Torah): Broadly means "instruction," "teaching," or "guidance," particularly divine revelation. It encompasses the entirety of God's revealed will, not just legal codes, but also moral principles, ethical demands, and ritual commands given by God through Moses.
• and one (Hebrew: וְאֶחָד - v'echad): Reiterates the singularity, creating parallelism and reinforcing the absolute unity of the legal system.
• ordinance (Hebrew: מִשְׁפָּט - mishpat): Refers to a "judgment," "justice," "legal decision," or "statute." While Torah is the divine instruction, Mishpat is the specific application or particular judgment based on that instruction. Together, "Torah and Mishpat" denote the full scope of God's legal and moral framework, from fundamental principles to specific decrees and their implementation.
• shall be (Hebrew: יִהְיֶה - yihyeh): This verb indicates a strong imperative and a future certainty. It is a divine command that will and must be so, establishing a perpetual standard.
• for you (Hebrew: לָכֶם - lakhem): Refers to the native-born Israelites, the direct recipients of the covenant laws.
• and for the stranger (Hebrew: וְלַגֵּר - v'lager): "Stranger" (גֵּר - ger) here means a resident alien or sojourner. This is not a temporary visitor, but someone who has chosen to reside permanently or for an extended period within Israelite territory, committing to live under its governmental and legal structure. This individual may or may not have fully converted to Israelite religion, but is definitively part of the resident population.
• who dwells with you (Hebrew: הַגָּר אִתְּכֶם - hagar ittkhem): Emphasizes the ger's status as one living among and within the community, solidifying their inclusion under the shared legal framework.

Words-group analysis:

• "One law and one ordinance": This pairing emphasizes the comprehensiveness and indivisibility of God's legal system. It's not a fragmented collection but a unified body of instruction and its just application, reflecting God's consistent character.
• "for you and for the stranger who dwells with you": This phrase highlights a profoundly radical and progressive principle for the ancient Near East. Many legal systems of the time had differential laws based on social status or ethnic origin. God's command establishes a non-discriminatory, egalitarian legal standard within the covenant community, protecting the vulnerable resident alien and demanding consistent behavior from all.

Numbers 15 16 Bonus section

The concept of the ger (resident alien) in the Old Testament is significant. These individuals were not merely tourists but permanent residents who, for various reasons (economic, seeking refuge, etc.), chose to live within Israelite territory. While they were not necessarily full proselytes to the Israelite religion initially, their inclusion under the same law suggests they were expected to abide by its general moral and civil dictates, and indeed could participate in some religious observances, particularly those not requiring specific ethnic Israelite lineage. The verse establishes their protected status under the divine covenant law, ensuring they were not subject to arbitrary rule or exploitation by the native population. This foundational inclusivity demonstrates a Kingdom principle that transcends narrow ethnic or national boundaries, valuing righteousness and adherence to God's ways above all else for those dwelling in His presence.

Numbers 15 16 Commentary

Numbers 15:16 stands as a testament to God's impartial justice and His expansive grace. It establishes a radical legal and social principle in the ancient world: equal justice for all residents within the covenant community, regardless of birth. This was revolutionary, as most ancient Near Eastern cultures had separate laws, often with lesser protections, for foreigners. God's demand for "one law and one ordinance" for both native-born Israelites and resident aliens (ger) signifies that His divine character of righteousness and equity extends to all within the sphere of His people.

This principle is rooted in God's own nature (Deut 10:18), who "executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." It also serves as a perpetual reminder to Israel of their own history as "strangers" in Egypt (Lev 19:34; Deut 10:19), fostering empathy and humility. Practically, it ensures that all within Israelite society – from worshipper to citizen – abide by the same standards of holiness, rectitude, and obedience. It prevents favoritism, oppression of the vulnerable, and the creation of a tiered society within God's covenant. This inclusiveness foreshadows the broader embrace of Gentiles into God's kingdom through Christ, where there is "neither Jew nor Greek" (Gal 3:28) and all believers are fellow citizens in God's household (Eph 2:19).