Exodus 29:38

KJV

¶ Now this [is that] which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now this is that which thou shalt offer {H6213} upon the altar {H4196}; two {H8147} lambs {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141} day {H3117} by day {H3117} continually {H8548}.

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.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within God's detailed instructions to Moses regarding the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests and the establishment of the Tabernacle's sacrificial system, as outlined in [Exodus 29](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - Consecration of Priests"). The preceding verses, [Exodus 29:1-37](/exodus/29-1-37 "Exodus 29:1-37 - Ordination of Aaron and Sons"), describe the elaborate ordination ceremony for the priesthood, including specific sacrifices and rituals that emphasize their unique role as mediators between God and His people. The daily burnt offering, introduced here, is presented as the culmination and ongoing maintenance of the holiness established through this ordination, ensuring the Tabernacle's function as a dwelling place for God's presence. It transitions from the one-time ordination to the regular, perpetual service of the priests and the sanctuary, establishing the rhythm of worship for the entire community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in [Exodus 29](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - The Consecration of Priests") are given to Moses at Mount Sinai, following the giving of the Law and the covenant establishment. Israel is a nascent nation, recently delivered from Egyptian bondage and now entering into a unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. The Tabernacle, soon to be constructed, was designed as God's dwelling place in their midst, symbolizing His presence and guidance during their wilderness journey. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, daily offerings were common in temple worship, but Israel's system was distinct in its monotheistic focus and its emphasis on atonement for sin as a prerequisite for divine fellowship. The "continual" offering was critical for maintaining the holiness of the sanctuary and the covenant relationship, ensuring God's continued presence among Israel in a way that distinguished them from surrounding nations' cultic practices. It provided a constant reminder of their reliance on God's grace and their need for purity to dwell with a holy God.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 29:38 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Holiness and Atonement**, emphasizing the perpetual need for purification to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. The daily offering ensures that the sanctity of the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place, is maintained. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Covenant Maintenance**, as this continuous ritual was essential for upholding the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, signifying their ongoing commitment and God's faithfulness to dwell among them. This verse also speaks to the theme of **Divine Presence**, as the _tamid_ offering ensured the conditions for God's continued presence within the Tabernacle, emphasizing that His dwelling among His people was contingent upon their adherence to His prescribed means of purification and worship, as seen throughout the instructions for the Tabernacle in [Exodus 25-40](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Tabernacle Instructions").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Offer (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to do or make," this verb (H6213) in this context signifies "to perform" or "to prepare" a sacrifice. It underscores that this act is not optional but a divinely commanded action, a specific and necessary performance within the sacred cultus. The offering is a deliberate, prescribed act of worship and obedience.
* **Lambs (Hebrew, _kebes'_):** This term (H3532) refers specifically to a young ram, typically around one year old, just old enough to butt. The selection of a "lamb" for sacrifice, particularly one "of the first year" (combining H3532 with H1121 _bên_ and H8141 _shâneh_), signifies an animal in its prime, unblemished, and vigorous state. This requirement for perfection represents the highest quality and purity acceptable for sacrifice to a holy God, foreshadowing the spotless nature of the ultimate sacrifice.
* **Continually (Hebrew, _tâmîyd'_):** This word (H8548) signifies "continuance" or "perpetual" (as an adjective) or "constantly" (as an adverb). Its use here emphasizes the unbroken, non-stop nature of this offering. It was not an occasional or voluntary act but a constant, divinely mandated expression of devotion, reliance on God's provision for sin, and maintenance of the covenant relationship. The _tamid_ offering established a sacred, unwavering rhythm for the community, highlighting their constant need for God's grace and His unwavering presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Now this [is that] which thou shalt offer upon the altar;":** This clause introduces the specific, divinely commanded daily offering, highlighting its centrality to the Tabernacle's function and the altar's purpose. The altar, consecrated and made holy, is the designated place for this perpetual sacrifice, emphasizing its role as the point of access and reconciliation between a holy God and His people. The "thou" refers to Moses, who is relaying God's precise instructions for the priests.
* **"two lambs of the first year":** This specifies both the quantity and quality of the animals to be offered. "Two lambs" signify one for the morning sacrifice and one for the evening sacrifice, establishing a twice-daily rhythm (cf. [Numbers 28:3-4](/numbers/28-3-4 "Numbers 28:3-4 - The Daily Burnt Offering")). The requirement for "lambs of the first year" denotes their youth, purity, and unblemished state, symbolizing the highest quality of offering acceptable to God, free from blemish or defect, a standard for all acceptable sacrifices.
* **"day by day continually.":** This concluding phrase emphasizes the unbroken, perpetual nature of the sacrifice. The Hebrew term _tamid_ (continually) signifies that this offering was to be a constant, unwavering practice, establishing a rhythm of worship and atonement that underscored Israel's constant need for divine grace and God's unwavering presence. It was a perpetual act of national confession, reliance, and maintenance of the covenant relationship.

#### 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](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the 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.

* [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")
* [Hebrews 9:28](/hebrews/9-28 "Hebrews 9:28 - Christ's Sacrifice for Sins")
* [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")

### 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
* **How does the "continual" nature of the daily sacrifice in Exodus 29:38 inform our understanding of consistent devotion in the Christian life?**
* **In what ways does the purity and "first year" quality of the lambs encourage us to offer our "best" to God in worship and service?**
* **How can reflecting on the necessity of daily atonement in the Old Testament deepen our appreciation for the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ?**

### 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](/john/1-29 "1:29 - Jesus, 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](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law's Imperfection and Christ's Sacrifice")). 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](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Redemption through Christ's Precious Blood"), 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](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ Entered the Holy Place Once for All")). 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](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 16:40

To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and [to do] according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;

Numbers 28:3

And thou shalt say unto them, This [is] the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, [for] a continual burnt offering.

Numbers 28:8

And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer [it], a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

2 Chronicles 31:3

[He appointed] also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, [to wit], for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as [it is] written in the law of the LORD.

Daniel 12:11

And from the time [that] the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, [there shall be] a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

2 Chronicles 13:11

And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also [set they in order] upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

2 Chronicles 2:4

Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate [it] to him, [and] to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This [is an ordinance] for ever to Israel.