Exodus 29:41

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the other {H8145} lamb {H3532} thou shalt offer {H6213} at even {H6153}, and shalt do {H6213} thereto according to the meat offering {H4503} of the morning {H1242}, and according to the drink offering {H5262} thereof, for a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381}, an offering made by fire {H801} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The other lamb you are to offer at dusk; do with it as with the morning grain and drink offerings - it will be a pleasing aroma, an offering made to ADONAI by fire.

Berean Standard Bible

And offer the second lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and drink offering as in the morning, as a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

American Standard Version

And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meal-offering of the morning, and according to the drink-offering thereof, for a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 29:41 provides specific instructions for the evening daily burnt offering, a crucial component of the perpetual sacrificial system established for the newly consecrated Tabernacle. It mandates that the second lamb of the day be offered at twilight, accompanied by the same grain and drink offerings prescribed for the morning sacrifice. This consistent, twice-daily ritual was designed to ascend to the LORD as a "sweet savour," signifying divine acceptance, maintaining a continuous state of atonement, and ensuring the ongoing communion between God and His people, thereby securing His holy presence among them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 29:41 is an integral part of a larger section (Exodus 29:38-42) that details the *Tamid* (perpetual) daily burnt offering. This instruction immediately follows the elaborate consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests (Exodus 29:1-37), which established their authority and role in mediating between God and Israel. The preceding verses (Exodus 29:38-40) describe the morning lamb offering, setting the pattern that the evening sacrifice is to mirror. The subsequent verse, [Exodus 29:42](/exodus/29-42 "Exodus 29:42 - Perpetual Offering at the Tabernacle"), reinforces the perpetual nature and significance of this offering at the Tabernacle entrance, underscoring its foundational role in Israel's worship and God's covenantal dwelling. This entire chapter serves as a pivotal transition from the architectural plans and construction of the Tabernacle to the commencement of its sacred services, highlighting the meticulous divine requirements for approaching a holy God and for the maintenance of His presence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The daily burnt offering was a cornerstone of Israelite worship, symbolizing continuous devotion, atonement, and fellowship with Yahweh. While daily sacrifices were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, Israel's *Tamid* offering was unique in its specific divine mandate, its connection to the Mosaic Covenant, and its exclusive focus on Yahweh. The offerings "at even" (twilight) and in the morning established a sacred rhythm that permeated the daily life of the community, reminding them of God's constant presence and their continuous need for His grace. These offerings were not merely ritualistic acts but were understood as the divinely ordained means by which a holy God could dwell amidst an imperfect people without consuming them. The meticulous instructions for the offerings, including the accompanying "meat offering" (grain offering) and "drink offering," underscored the comprehensive nature of Israel's dedication—presenting not just animal life but also the produce of the land and the fruit of the vine, signifying a complete surrender of livelihood and devotion to the LORD, essential for maintaining the purity of the Tabernacle and ensuring God's ongoing presence, as promised in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Dwelling Among Israel").

* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of Exodus 29, contributes significantly to several key themes. The theme of **Divine Presence** is paramount, as the sacrifices are the means by which God's holiness can abide among His people without consuming them. The consistent, twice-daily nature of the offering emphasizes the theme of **Perpetual Atonement and Communion**, signifying an ongoing need for reconciliation and a continuous relationship with God. The meticulous instructions highlight the theme of **Holiness and Obedience**, underscoring the absolute necessity of adhering to God's precise commands for worship and approach. Furthermore, the concept of a "sweet savour" speaks to the theme of **Divine Acceptance**, indicating that the offering, when performed according to God's will, was pleasing and effective in securing His favor. This daily ritual, therefore, is a foundational element in establishing the covenant relationship and preparing Israel for a life lived in the presence of their holy God, as further detailed in the sacrificial laws of [Leviticus 1-7](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1-7 - Laws of Offerings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sweet (Hebrew, _nîychôwach'_):** From the root meaning "to rest," this word properly signifies something "restful" or "pleasant," and abstractly, "delight." When used in the phrase "sweet savour" (as in [Genesis 8:21](/genesis/8-21 "Genesis 8:21 - Noah's Acceptable Offering") or [Leviticus 1:9](/leviticus/1-9 "Leviticus 1:9 - The Burnt Offering")), it describes an offering that is fully acceptable to God, one that brings Him satisfaction and delight. It implies that the offering met all divine requirements and successfully achieved its purpose of facilitating communion and reconciliation between God and His people.
* **Meat offering (Hebrew, _minchâh'_):** This term refers to a "donation" or "tribute," specifically a "sacrificial offering" that is usually bloodless and voluntary. In the KJV, "meat offering" is an archaic term for what is more accurately a grain or meal offering, typically consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. It represented the dedication of the produce of the land and the worshiper's labor to God, acknowledging Him as the provider of sustenance. It was often offered in conjunction with burnt offerings, symbolizing gratitude, provision, and the consecration of one's daily provisions.
* **Drink offering (Hebrew, _neçek'_):** This word denotes a "libation," specifically an offering of wine or other liquids poured out at the base of the altar. It served as an accompaniment to other sacrifices (e.g., [Numbers 15:5](/numbers/15-5 "Numbers 15:5 - Drink Offering Instructions")) and symbolized joy, covenant faithfulness, and complete devotion. The act of pouring out the liquid signified a full, unreserved, and often irreversible offering to God, frequently associated with prayers, vows, or the sealing of a covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even":** This clause specifies the subject and timing of the second daily sacrifice. "The other lamb" directly references the second of the two lambs offered each day, distinguishing it from the morning sacrifice described earlier in the chapter. "At even" (Hebrew, *ben ha'arbayim*) refers to the period "between the two evenings," which is generally understood as twilight or late afternoon, marking the close of the day. This established a consistent, twice-daily rhythm of worship, ensuring that God was honored at both the beginning and end of the active day.
* **"and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof":** This instruction emphasizes the precise replication of the accompanying offerings. The evening sacrifice was not a standalone act but a mirror image of the morning's ritual, including the specific quantities and types of grain (*minchâh*) and liquid (*neçek*) offerings. This ensured uniformity and absolute adherence to divine prescription, underscoring the critical importance of obedience and precision in all aspects of Israelite worship.
* **"for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.":** This concluding phrase articulates the purpose and nature of the offering. "For a sweet savour" highlights God's acceptance and pleasure in the offering, signifying that it was wholly received and achieved its intended effect of reconciliation and fellowship. "An offering made by fire" (Hebrew, *ishsheh*) indicates that the sacrifice was consumed on the altar by fire, symbolizing its ascent to God and its complete dedication. This fiery consumption was a central element of burnt offerings in the Israelite sacrificial system, representing the complete surrender and consumption of the offering by God.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices to convey its meaning and emphasize its importance. **Repetition** is a primary device, evident in the mirroring of the morning and evening sacrifices, which underscores the perpetual, consistent, and foundational nature of Israel's daily worship. The phrase "sweet savour" functions as powerful **symbolism**, transforming a physical aroma into a profound spiritual reality of divine acceptance, pleasure, and the restoration of fellowship. The entire sacrificial system, including this daily offering, serves as rich **foreshadowing**, pointing forward to a greater, ultimate sacrifice that would truly reconcile humanity to God. Furthermore, the meticulous detail in the instructions, including the specific types of offerings (lamb, grain, drink), highlights the **precision** and exactitude required in approaching a holy God, thereby underscoring the seriousness of worship and the divine origin of these immutable commands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 29:41, as an integral part of the *Tamid* offering instructions, underscores profound theological truths about God's holiness, His desire for communion, and the divinely appointed means by which a sinful people can approach Him. The daily repetition of the sacrifice emphasizes the continuous need for atonement and the ongoing nature of the covenant relationship. It reveals God's gracious provision for His people to dwell in His presence despite their imperfections, accepting their prescribed acts of worship as a "sweet savour"—an indication of His satisfaction and their acceptance. While these animal sacrifices were temporary and ritualistic, they pointed to a deeper reality—the inherent human need for a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that would truly and eternally reconcile humanity to God, a theme richly developed in the New Testament.

* [Leviticus 1:9](/leviticus/1-9 "Leviticus 1:9 - The Burnt Offering as a Sweet Aroma")
* [Numbers 28:3-8](/numbers/28-3-8 "Numbers 28:3-8 - Daily Offerings and Their Components")
* [Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed instructions for the daily evening sacrifice in Exodus 29:41, though part of an Old Covenant system no longer practiced in its original form, offer timeless principles for believers today. The emphasis on consistency and regularity in worship reminds us that our relationship with God is not a sporadic event but a continuous journey of devotion and surrender. Just as the lamb was offered daily, we are called to daily surrender, daily seeking God's presence through prayer, diligent Scripture reading, and active fellowship. The concept of a "sweet savour" challenges us to consider the quality of our spiritual offerings—are our lives, our service, our attitudes, and our worship truly pleasing and acceptable to God? This passage invites us to live lives of intentional devotion, recognizing that our ultimate offering is a life wholly consecrated to Christ, lived out in obedience, love, and gratitude. It also deepens our appreciation for the finality and absolute sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, which has made consistent, direct, and unhindered access to God possible for all who believe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the consistent, daily nature of the *Tamid* offering challenge my own spiritual disciplines and routines in seeking God's presence?**
* **In what specific ways can my daily life, my service to others, and my personal worship be considered a "sweet savour" to the LORD today?**
* **How does understanding the repetition and temporary nature of these Old Testament sacrifices deepen my appreciation for the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of offering the lamb "at even" (in the evening)?**

Answer: Offering the lamb "at even" (Hebrew, *ben ha'arbayim*, meaning "between the two evenings" or twilight) signifies the perpetual and continuous nature of the daily burnt offering. Along with the morning sacrifice, it established a rhythm of worship that covered the entire day, from dawn to dusk. This ensured that Israel was constantly in a state of atonement and communion with God, symbolizing an unbroken fellowship and a continuous acknowledgment of God's holiness and their need for His grace. It underscored that God's presence and the means of approaching Him were available at all times, providing a constant spiritual anchor for the community, as described in [Numbers 28:3-4](/numbers/28-3-4 "Numbers 28:3-4 - The Daily Burnt Offering").

**Why were "meat offerings" and "drink offerings" included with the animal sacrifice?**

Answer: The "meat offering" (grain offering) and "drink offering" were integral components that accompanied the animal sacrifices, signifying a more comprehensive and holistic dedication. The grain offering (*minchâh*) represented the dedication of the fruits of the land and the worshiper's labor, acknowledging God as the source of all provision and the giver of all good things. The drink offering (*neçek*), typically wine poured out, symbolized joy, covenant faithfulness, and complete devotion, signifying a full and unreserved giving of oneself and one's blessings to the LORD. Together, these offerings demonstrated that worship involved not just the shedding of blood for atonement, but also the consecration of one's entire life, livelihood, and joy to God, presenting a complete picture of devotion, as detailed in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering") and [Numbers 15:1-10](/numbers/15-1-10 "Numbers 15:1-10 - Laws for Grain and Drink Offerings").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 29:41, with its emphasis on the daily, perpetual evening sacrifice as a "sweet savour" to the LORD, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The repeated offering of lambs, morning and evening, highlighted the temporary and insufficient nature of the Old Covenant sacrifices, which could only ritually cover sin but never truly take it away ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Inadequacy of the Law")). Christ, however, is the perfect and eternal [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose single, definitive sacrifice on the cross was offered "once for all" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). His offering was the true "sweet savour" to God, perfectly pleasing and fully efficacious, not merely covering sins but permanently removing them and reconciling humanity to God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering")). Through His finished work, the continuous need for daily animal sacrifices ceased, as He perfectly satisfied divine justice and opened a new and living way for humanity to approach God directly, not through rituals but through faith in His shed blood ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ")). Thus, the evening lamb of Exodus 29:41 points forward to the eternal efficacy and perfect acceptance of Christ's sacrifice, which continually intercedes for believers and ensures God's perpetual presence among His redeemed people, establishing a covenant that is superior and everlasting ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")).

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

Ezekiel 46:13

Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the LORD [of] a lamb of the first year without blemish: thou shalt prepare it every morning.

Ezekiel 46:15

Thus shall they prepare the lamb, and the meat offering, and the oil, every morning [for] a continual burnt offering.

Ezra 9:4

Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

Ezra 9:5

¶ And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,

1 Kings 18:36

And it came to pass at [the time of] the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou [art] God in Israel, and [that] I [am] thy servant, and [that] I have done all these things at thy word.

2 Kings 16:15

And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire [by].

Daniel 9:21

Yea, whiles I [was] speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.