Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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profanation of the sabbath a capital crime (Ex 31:14,Nu 35:2); but they were in doubt, either concerning the offence (whether this that he had done should be deemed a profanation or no) or concerning the punishment, which death he should die. God was the Judge, and before him they brought this cause.
4. Sentence was passed; the prisoner was adjudged a sabbath-breaker, according to the intent of that law, and as such he must be put to death; and to show how great the crime was, and how displeasing to God, and that others might hear and fear and not do in like manner presumptuously, that death is appointed him which was looked upon as most terrible: He must be stoned with stones, Nu 15:35. Note, God is jealous for the honour of his Sabbaths, and will not hold those guiltless, whatever men do, that profane them. 5. Execution was done pursuant to the sentence, Nu 15:36. He was stoned to death by the congregation. As many as could were employed in the execution, that those, at least, might be afraid of breaking the sabbath, who had thrown a stone at this sabbath-breaker. This intimates that the open profanation of the sabbath is a sin which ought to be punished and restrained by the civil magistrate, who, as far as overt acts go, is keeper of both tables. See Ne 13:17. One would think there could be no great harm in gathering a few sticks, on what day soever it was, but God intended the exemplary punishment of him that did so for a standing warning to us all, to make conscience of keeping holy the sabbath.
31 Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken
his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
The Stoning of a Sabbath Breaker
32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they
found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day.
33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses
and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.