Numbers 15:31Because he has despised the word of Yahweh, and has broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be on him.'"
The setting
Sinai Peninsula desert, ~1445 BC. Moses receives God's verdict on willful rebellion after giving the law. The Israelites are learning that covenant relationship has consequences.
The emotion here: recording divine justice with trembling reverence
The original word
bazah (בָּזָה) — to despise, treat with contempt, hold as worthless
Why it matters
Being 'cut off' meant complete removal from the covenant community - no burial, no inheritance, no mention
Read with care
What most readers miss in Numbers 15:31
This follows immediately after instructions about unintentional sin - this is specifically about WILLFUL rebellion
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about making mistakes. It's specifically about despising God's word with contempt - willful, arrogant rebellion, not human weakness.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Numbers 15:31
Bible Genome reading
Numbers 15:31 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Numbers 15:31 comes from the book of Numbers, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include judgment, consequences. Notable phrases: despised the word; utterly cut off. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Numbers 15:31 mean to you, today?
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