What Does Numbers 15:22 Mean in the King James?

And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses,

Numbers 15:22 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Hebrew word for “erred” carries the image of wandering, so missing the command is pictured as leaving a way.

THE MEANING

You can receive what God speaks and still miss its full practice. This verse names that gap as wandering: the instruction is spoken, yet the path of action can drift from it. It speaks to the present possibility that a person or community may not observe all that is given.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Clear instruction does not make deviation impossible; knowing what is spoken does not guarantee that every part is observed.

THE ROOT

תִּשְׁגּוּ

tishgu

GROWS FROM

שגה

to wander, stray, or go astray; by extension, to err

“erred” in this verse is tishgu. ⁨תִּשְׁגּוּ⁩ (tishgu) carries the image of wandering or going astray, a movement away from a way. Beside “not observed,” it makes the gap visible between the instruction spoken and the path taken.

ALSO GROWS

shāgāh: to wander, stray, or err

שָׁגָה

This verb form shows the root’s basic movement: error as going astray.

shōgeh: one who wanders or errs

שֹׁגֶה

This participial form describes the one in the act of straying, keeping the same root consonants ⁨ש־ג־ה⁩.

THE PATTERN

Scripture pictures departure from instruction as wandering from the way it marks.

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:

Leviticus 4:2 · KJVThis verse names the possibility of missing a commandment through ignorance.

He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Proverbs 5:23 · KJVHere, lacking instruction and going astray appear together as linked conditions.

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

James 5:19 · KJVThe departure from truth is described as erring, carrying the same image of wandering.

THE THREAD

He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Proverbs 5:23 · KJV

Numbers uses ⁨תִּשְׁגּוּ⁩ (tishgu), from ⁨שגה⁩, the same root rendered “go astray” here. Proverbs ties that wandering to being without instruction, sharpening the verse’s image of departure from the way instruction gives.

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