(The Lord speaking is red text)
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,
one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;
one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;
One{H259} young{H1241} bullock{H6499}, one{H259} ram{H352}, one{H259} lamb{H3532} of the first{H1121} year{H8141}, for a burnt offering{H5930}:
Numbers 7:33 is part of a detailed passage describing the offerings made by the leaders of Israel at the dedication of the altar in the Tabernacle. The verse specifies the types of animals to be sacrificed as a burnt offering by each tribal leader, which includes a young bull, a ram, and a one-year-old lamb.
**Themes:**
1. **Worship and Sacrifice:** The verse reflects the Israelite practice of worship through animal sacrifice, which was a central part of their religious ceremonies. The burnt offering was a complete dedication to God, symbolizing the giver's total consecration.
2. **Uniformity and Order:** The identical offerings from each leader emphasize equality and orderliness in worship. This uniformity in sacrifice also underscores the unity of the tribes of Israel.
3. **Dedication and Consecration:** The context of the verse is the dedication of the altar. This event marks a significant moment of consecrating the Tabernacle for divine service, and the offerings are part of the ritual of setting apart the sacred space.
**Historical Context:**
- **The Tabernacle:** The Tabernacle was the portable dwelling place for God, constructed according to divine specifications, which served as the center of worship for the Israelites during their wilderness journeys after the Exodus from Egypt.
- **The Altar Dedication:** The offerings described in Numbers 7 took place after the completion of the Tabernacle and its altar. This event occurred during the second year after the Exodus, marking the beginning of formal worship in the newly established sanctuary.
- **The Twelve Tribes:** The leaders mentioned are representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel, each bringing identical offerings over twelve consecutive days, demonstrating a collective commitment to God and His sanctuary.
In summary, Numbers 7:33 is a snapshot of the intricate rituals involved in the dedication of the Tabernacle's altar, highlighting themes of worship, sacrifice, unity, and consecration within the historical context of the early years of the Israelite nation following their liberation from Egypt.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)