Numbers 15:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:

Complete Jewish Bible:

and want to make an offering by fire to ADONAI - a burnt offering or sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or to be a voluntary offering, or at your designated times, to make a fragrant aroma for ADONAI - then, whether it is comes from the herd or from the flock,

Berean Standard Bible:

and you present an offering made by fire to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast—

American Standard Version:

and will make an offering by fire unto Jehovah, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a freewill-offering, or in your set feasts, to make a sweet savor unto Jehovah, of the herd, or of the flock;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And will make^{H6213} an offering by fire^{H801} unto the LORD^{H3068}, a burnt offering^{H5930}, or a sacrifice^{H2077} in performing^{H6381} a vow^{H5088}, or in a freewill offering^{H5071}, or in your solemn feasts^{H4150}, to make^{H6213} a sweet^{H5207} savour^{H7381} unto the LORD^{H3068}, of the herd^{H1241}, or of the flock^{H6629}:

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Commentary for Numbers 15:3

Numbers 15:3 is a verse that falls within the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, following their exodus from Egypt and prior to their entry into the Promised Land. The book of Numbers is primarily concerned with laws, regulations, and the organization of the Israelite community as they prepare to enter Canaan. This particular verse is part of a section (Numbers 15:1-21) that deals with the offerings and sacrifices that the Israelites are to present to God once they are in the land.

The verse itself outlines the types of offerings that the Israelites are to bring before the Lord. These include:

1. Burnt offerings: These were offerings completely consumed by fire, symbolizing the complete dedication of the worshipper to God.
2. Sacrifices in performing a vow: These were offerings made in fulfillment of a vow, a promise made to God, often in exchange for a favor or as an act of devotion.
3. Freewill offerings: These were voluntary offerings given out of gratitude or devotion, not in fulfillment of a specific command or vow.
4. Offerings during solemn feasts: These were offerings made during the appointed festivals, such as Passover, the Festival of Weeks (Shavuot), and the Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

These offerings were to be made from the herd or the flock, meaning from their livestock, which were considered valuable assets. The phrase "to make a sweet savour unto the LORD" indicates that the primary purpose of these sacrifices was to please God, suggesting that the offerings were a form of worship and a means of drawing near to the divine presence.

Historically, this verse reflects the religious practices of the ancient Israelites, which were centered around sacrificial rituals. These rituals were not only a means of atonement but also a way to express thanksgiving, celebrate religious festivals, and affirm covenantal relationships with God. The detailed instructions for sacrifices emphasize the importance of worship and the sanctity of the ritual in the life of the Israelite community.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
2. Strong's Number: H801
   There are 357 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִשָּׁה
   Transliteration: ʼishshâh
   Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
   Description: the same as אֶשָּׁה, but used in a liturgical sense; properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice; (offering, sacrifice), (made) by fire.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5930
   There are 262 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֹלָה
   Transliteration: ʻôlâh
   Pronunciation: o-law'
   Description: or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also עֶוֶל.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2077
   There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זֶבַח
   Transliteration: zebach
   Pronunciation: zeh'-bakh
   Description: from זָבַח; properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act); offer(-ing), sacrifice.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6381
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּלָא
   Transliteration: pâlâʼ
   Pronunciation: paw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful; accomplish, (arise...too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do, do a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles, perform, separate, make singular, (be, great, make) wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things, works, -ly).
   
7. Strong's Number: H5088
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶדֶר
   Transliteration: neder
   Pronunciation: neh'-der
   Description: or נֵדֶר; from נָדַר; a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised; vow(-ed).
   
8. Strong's Number: H5071
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נְדָבָה
   Transliteration: nᵉdâbâh
   Pronunciation: ned-aw-baw'
   Description: from נָדַב; properly (abstractly) spontaneity, or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a spontaneous or (by inference, in plural) abundant gift; free(-will) offering, freely, plentiful, voluntary(-ily, offering), willing(-ly), offering).
   
9. Strong's Number: H4150
   There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוֹעֵד
   Transliteration: môwʻêd
   Pronunciation: mo-ade'
   Description: or מֹעֵד; or (feminine) מוֹעָדָה; (2 Chronicles 8:13), from יָעַד; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally ayear; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand); appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).
   
10. Strong's Number: H5207
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נִיחוֹחַ
    Transliteration: nîychôwach
    Pronunciation: nee-kho'-akh
    Description: or נִיחֹחַ; from נוּחַ; properly, restful, i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight; sweet (odour).
    
11. Strong's Number: H7381
    There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רֵיחַ
    Transliteration: rêyach
    Pronunciation: ray'-akh
    Description: from רוּחַ; odor (as if blown); savour, scent, smell.
    
12. Strong's Number: H1241
    There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּקָר
    Transliteration: bâqâr
    Pronunciation: baw-kawr'
    Description: from בָּקַר; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd; beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox.
    
13. Strong's Number: H6629
    There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צֹאן
    Transliteration: tsôʼn
    Pronunciation: tsone
    Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds).