(The Lord speaking is red text)
And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, [shall be] according to their number, after the manner:
with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule;
along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed.
and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance;
And their meat offering{H4503} and their drink offerings{H5262} for the bullocks{H6499}, for the rams{H352}, and for the lambs{H3532}, shall be according to their number{H4557}, after the manner{H4941}:
1. **Themes:**
- **Sacrifice and Atonement:** Numbers 29:21 is part of a larger passage detailing the offerings for the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The verse emphasizes the importance of prescribed sacrifices as a means of atonement and worship in ancient Israelite religion.
- **Obedience and Ritual Precision:** The specific instructions for offerings underscore the theme of obedience to God's commands and the meticulous nature of Israelite religious ritual.
- **Community and Worship:** The mention of offerings for different animals suggests a communal aspect to worship, with various segments of society participating according to their ability.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time of Writing:** The Book of Numbers is traditionally attributed to Moses and is part of the Torah, which was written over a period of centuries, with its final form likely taking shape during the Babylonian Exile or afterwards.
- **Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement:** These were significant holy days in the Israelite calendar. The Feast of Trumpets marked the beginning of the civil year and was a day of rest, rejoicing, and the blowing of trumpets. The Day of Atonement, the most solemn day of the year, involved fasting, prayer, and a complex set of sacrifices to cleanse the people and the sanctuary from impurity.
- **Ceremonial Law:** The detailed instructions for offerings reflect the ceremonial law that governed the religious life of Israel. These laws were designed to set the Israelites apart from other nations and to maintain their covenant relationship with God.
- **Transition from Nomadic to Settled Life:** The book of Numbers chronicles the Israelites' journey from the Sinai wilderness to the plains of Moab, on the verge of entering the Promised Land. The establishment of regular feasts and offerings was part of the transition from a nomadic to a more settled, agricultural way of life.
In summary, Numbers 29:21 reflects the themes of sacrificial worship, adherence to divine instruction, and communal participation in religious life, set against the backdrop of Israel's journey towards nationhood and the establishment of their religious and cultural practices.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)