The Meaning of Numbers 15:40 Explained

Numbers 15:40

KJV: That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

YLT: so that ye remember and have done all My commands, and ye have been holy to your God;

Darby: that ye may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

ASV: that ye may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

That ye may remember,  and do  all my commandments,  and be  holy  unto your God. 

What does Numbers 15:40 Mean?

Context Summary

Numbers 15:27-41 - Exemplary Punishment For Sabbath-Breaking
This chapter resembles a sweet flute-like melody inserted between two fierce strains. It reminds us that in the middle of wrath God remembers mercy. The stranger-whether pilgrim, emigrant or slave-was to be included in burned-offerings and sacrifices; a prevision of the time when all holy souls shall be reckoned in the household of God, Ephesians 2:19.
Sins of ignorance may be forgiven, Numbers 15:22-29. They are sins. Debts of shortcoming need pardon equally as do trespasses. But, as Paul teaches us, we may confidently count on forgiveness for evil things done unwittingly. See 1 Timothy 1:12-14; Hebrews 5:2. It is quite otherwise with sins of presumption, Numbers 15:30-36. If persisted in, these induce death. See 1 John 5:16.
We have something better than the memorial fringe, in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, John 14:26. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 15

1  The law of the meat offering, and the drink offering
14  The stranger is under the same law
17  The law of the first of the dough
22  The sacrifice for sins of ignorance
30  The punishment of presumption
32  He who violated the Sabbath is stoned
37  The law of tassels

What do the individual words in Numbers 15:40 mean?

That you may remember and do - all My commandments and be holy for your God
לְמַ֣עַן תִּזְכְּר֔וּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֶת־ כָּל־ מִצְוֺתָ֑י וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם קְדֹשִׁ֖ים לֵֽאלֹהֵיכֶֽם

לְמַ֣עַן  That 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: לְמַעַן 
Sense: purpose, intent prep.
תִּזְכְּר֔וּ  you  may  remember 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: זָכַר 
Sense: to remember, recall, call to mind.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם  and  do 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
מִצְוֺתָ֑י  My  commandments 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: מִצְוָה  
Sense: commandment.
וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם  and  be 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
קְדֹשִׁ֖ים  holy 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: קָדֹושׁ  
Sense: sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart.
לֵֽאלֹהֵיכֶֽם  for  your  God 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).