Numbers 7:70

Numbers 7:70 KJV describes a specific component of the dedication offerings brought by the leaders of the tribes of Israel for the newly consecrated Tabernacle. On the eleventh day, Pagiel the son of Ocran, leader of the tribe of Asher, presented his gifts, which included "One kid of the goats for a sin offering." This seemingly simple phrase carries significant theological weight, highlighting God's meticulous instructions for worship and the constant need for atonement.

Context

Chapter 7 of Numbers is a detailed account of the offerings brought by each of the twelve tribal leaders for the dedication of the Tabernacle after its construction and anointing, as described in Numbers 7:1. Each leader presented identical sets of gifts on successive days. These offerings were comprehensive, including items for burnt offerings, meal offerings, peace offerings, and crucially, sin offerings. The inclusion of a sin offering, even during a celebratory dedication, underscores the ever-present reality of human sinfulness and the necessity for purification to approach a holy God.

Key Themes

• The Sin Offering: The primary focus of this verse is the "sin offering" (Hebrew: chatta't). This specific type of sacrifice was prescribed in the Mosaic Law, primarily detailed in Leviticus chapter 4, to make atonement for unintentional sins or ceremonial impurities. It served to cleanse individuals and the community, allowing them to remain in right relationship with God.
• Atonement and Purification: The offering of the kid of the goats symbolized the transfer of sin onto an innocent substitute, leading to purification and atonement for sins. It was a vital part of the Old Covenant system for addressing human imperfection before a holy God.
• God's Holiness and Man's Need: The requirement for a sin offering, even amidst grand celebrations, powerfully illustrates God's absolute holiness and the inherent sinfulness of humanity. It reminds Israel that even their best efforts and most dedicated acts of worship required divine provision for their shortcomings.
• Divine Provision: God Himself instituted these sacrifices, providing a way for His people to be reconciled to Him despite their transgressions. This foreshadows the ultimate provision for sin through Christ.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "sin offering" is chatta't (חַטָּאת). While it literally means "sin," when used in the context of sacrifice, it refers to the offering made for sin. This term emphasizes the idea of purification and cleansing from ritual impurity or unintentional wrongdoings, rather than necessarily rebellion or deliberate defiance. The animal served as a means of ritual purification for the worshiper.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind the sin offering remain profoundly relevant. This verse reminds us:

• That sin, even unintentional, separates us from God and requires atonement.
• Of the immense cost of sin and the necessity of a perfect sacrifice.
• That God has always provided a way for reconciliation. The ultimate and perfect sin offering is Jesus Christ, "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). His death on the cross serves as the once-for-all sacrifice for all human sin, making further animal sacrifices unnecessary (Hebrews 9:22).
• To acknowledge our own need for forgiveness and to embrace the grace offered through Christ.