TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 29:38–46. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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.
Continue studying Exodus 29:38 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
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. The preceding verses, Exodus 29:1-37, 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 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, Exodus 26, Exodus 27, Exodus 28, Exodus 29, Exodus 30, Exodus 31, Exodus 32, Exodus 33, Exodus 34, Exodus 35, Exodus 36, Exodus 37, Exodus 38, Exodus 39, Exodus 40.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
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.
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.
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 (Numbers 28:3-4). 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, 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?
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).