Text: Numbers 15:32-36
OT Text Referred to: Exodus 35:2-3
Subject: Sabbath violation and death penalty
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): None
Significance: The wood-gatherer narrative in Numbers 15:32-36 provides the test case for the Sabbath death penalty legislated in Exodus 35:2-3. Exodus prohibits all work (מְלָאכָה, melakhah) on the Sabbath on pain of death, specifically including kindling fire. Numbers records the first known enforcement: a man gathering sticks is brought to Moses, held in custody while God is consulted, then stoned outside the camp by the whole congregation. The narrative illustrates how the Pentateuch moves from legislation (Exodus) to application (Numbers), with God Himself confirming that even gathering fuel constitutes the "defiant sin" (בְּיָד רָמָה, beyad ramah, "with a high hand") described in the immediately preceding section (Num 15:30-31).