TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.
Complete Jewish Bible
"Now this is what you are to offer on the altar: two lambs a year old, regularly, every day.
Berean Standard Bible
This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old.
American Standard Version
Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually.
World English Bible Messianic
“Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Nowe this is that which thou shalt present vpon the altar: euen two lambes of one yere olde, day by day continually.
Young's Literal Translation
`And this is that which thou dost prepare on the altar; two lambs, sons of a year, daily continually;
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In the KJVVerse 2,375 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Exodus 29 verses 38–46
38 ¶ Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.
39 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:
40 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.
41 And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
42 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.
43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.
44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.
45 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.
46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.
In this paragraph we have,
I. The daily service appointed. A lamb was to be offered upon the altar every morning, and a lamb every evening, each with a meat-offering, both made by fire, as a continual burnt-offering throughout their generations, Exo 29:38-41. Whether there were any other sacrifices to be offered or not, these were sure to be offered, at the public charge, for the benefit and comfort of all Israel, to make atonement for their daily sins, and to be an acknowledgement to God of their daily mercies. This was that which the duty of every day required. The taking away of this daily sacrifice by Antiochus, for so many evenings and mornings, was that great calamity of the church which was foretold, Dan 8:11. Note, 1. This typified the continual intercession which Christ ever lives to make, in virtue of his satisfaction, for the continual sanctification of his church: though he offered himself once for all, yet that one offering thus becomes a continual offering. 2. This teaches us to offer up to God the spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise every day, morning and evening, in humble acknowledgement of our dependence upon him and our obligations to him. Our daily devotions must be looked upon as the most needful of our daily works and the most pleasant of our daily comforts. Whatever business we have, this must never be omitted, either morning or evening; prayer-time must be kept up as duly as meat-time. The daily sacrifices were as the daily meals in God's house, and therefore they were always attended with bread and wine. Those starve their own souls that keep not up a constant attendance on the throne of grace.
II. Great and precious promises made of God's favour to Israel, and the tokens of his special presence with them, while they thus kept up his institutions among them. He speaks as one well pleased with the appointment of the daily sacrifice; for, before he proceeds to the other appointments that follow, he interposes these promises. It is constancy in religion that brings in the comfort of it. He promises, 1. That he would keep up communion with them; that he would not only meet Moses, and speak to him, but that he would meet the children of Israel, (Exo 29:43), to accept the daily sacrifices offered up on their behalf. Note, God will not fail to give those the meeting who diligently and conscientiously attend upon him in the ordinances of his own appointment. 2. That he would own his own institutions, the tabernacle, the altar, the priesthood (Exo 29:43, Exo 29:44); he would take possession of that which was consecrated to him. Note, What is sanctified to the glory of God shall be sanctified by his glory. If we do our part, God will do his, and will mark and fit that for himself which is in sincerity given up to him. 3. That he would reside among them as God in covenant with them, and would give them sure and comfortable tokens of his peculiar favour to them, and his special presence with them (Exo 29:45, Exo 29:46): I will dwell among the children of Israel. Note, Where God sets up the tabernacle of his ordinances he will himself dwell. Lo, I am with you always, Mat 28:20. Those that abide in God's house shall have God to abide with them. I will be their God, and they shall know that I am so. Note, Those are truly happy that have a covenant-interest in God as theirs and the comfortable evidence of that interest. If we have this, we have enough, and need no more to make us happy.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 38–46. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 29:38 introduces the foundational command for the daily burnt offering within the newly established Tabernacle cultus, specifying the perpetual sacrifice of two unblemished lambs upon the altar. This divine instruction sets a constant rhythm of worship and atonement for the Israelite community, ensuring the ongoing purity of the sanctuary and the maintenance of God's covenant presence among His people. It underscores the perpetual need for reconciliation and God's consistent provision for sin.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 29:38 employs significant Symbolism and Foreshadowing. The daily offering of "two lambs of the first year" symbolizes the purity and perfection required for an acceptable sacrifice to a holy God, as well as the constant need for atonement for the sins of the people. The "altar" itself symbolizes the place of divine encounter, judgment, and reconciliation, the point where humanity could approach a holy God. The phrase "day by day continually" (Hebrew, tamid) symbolizes the unwavering commitment required in worship and the perpetual nature of God's covenant presence, which necessitated ongoing purification. This entire system of repeated, unblemished animal sacrifices serves as powerful Foreshadowing of the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God, whose single offering would accomplish what the daily sacrifices could only anticipate, providing true and lasting atonement.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The daily burnt offering, or tamid offering, was central to Israel's worship, symbolizing their constant need for atonement and God's faithfulness in providing it. It established a perpetual rhythm of national repentance and divine grace, ensuring the maintenance of God's holy presence within the Tabernacle and among His people. This continuous sacrifice underscored the reality that human sin constantly separates from a holy God, necessitating an ongoing provision for reconciliation. While the Old Testament sacrifices could not perfectly remove sin, they served as a divinely ordained means of covering it and maintaining fellowship, pointing forward to a greater, more complete work.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system, including the daily burnt offering, has been fulfilled and rendered obsolete by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the principles embedded in Exodus 29:38 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. The command for a "day by day continual" offering speaks to the necessity of consistent, unwavering devotion in our spiritual lives. It calls us to a daily posture of reliance on God's grace, acknowledging our ongoing need for Christ's finished work for forgiveness and sanctification. It encourages us to cultivate a habit of daily prayer, Scripture engagement, and worship, not as a means to earn salvation, but as an expression of our love and gratitude for the salvation already received. Furthermore, it challenges us to present our lives as "living sacrifices," continually offering ourselves in service and obedience to God, reflecting His holiness in our daily walk, and recognizing that our access to God is always through the perfect Lamb.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was a daily sacrifice necessary in the Old Testament?
Answer: The daily sacrifice, particularly the morning and evening burnt offerings, was necessary for several critical reasons within the Old Covenant. First, it served as a constant act of atonement for the unintentional sins of the community, acknowledging the perpetual presence of sin and the need for God's ongoing forgiveness to maintain the covenant relationship. Second, it ensured the purity and holiness of the Tabernacle, allowing God's holy presence to dwell among an unholy people without consuming them. The daily offering symbolically cleansed the sanctuary and the people, making it possible for God to remain in their midst. Third, it established a rhythm of worship and remembrance, serving as a perpetual reminder of God's holiness, humanity's sinfulness, and God's gracious provision for reconciliation. This continuous offering underscored the reality that access to God was always through sacrifice, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 29:38, with its command for a "day by day continual" offering of unblemished lambs, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament daily sacrifice, though divinely commanded, was inherently imperfect; it needed to be repeated perpetually because it could not fully take away sin, serving only as a temporary covering and a reminder of sin (Hebrews 10:1-4). It served as a powerful type, pointing forward to the one perfect sacrifice that would truly atone for all sin, once and for all. Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, offered Himself as the ultimate and final sacrifice on the cross. Unlike the daily lambs, His offering was not repeated because it was perfectly efficacious, securing eternal redemption for all who believe (Hebrews 9:12). Through His single, perfect act, Christ accomplished what the tamid offering could only foreshadow: perpetual access to God, complete cleansing from sin, and an everlasting covenant of grace. His finished work means that believers no longer offer animal sacrifices, but rather live in the constant reality of His perfect atonement, continually drawing near to God through Him with confidence (Hebrews 10:19-22).