Law and Narration in Number 15: Redaction History of the Reflections on the Sabbath Sinner (Number 15: 32-36)

The combination of law and narrative produced in Num 15 through the insertion of vv. 32-36 is the result of an inner-biblical process of reception, within which Num 15:22-31 was read together with Lev 24:10-23, and within which the position of the chapter within the book of Numbers was also taken into consideration. This, in turn, motivated the selection of a Sabbath offense that is analogous to Exod 16:27. Under this conception, the insertion of Num 15:32-36 basically fits even better within its context than the rather loosely bound together laws other-wise characteristic of this chapter. It thereby ensures that "law and narrative" in Num 10:10-17:28 in the final analysis form a meaningful.