Numbers 15:11

KJV

Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus shall it be done {H6213} for one {H259} bullock {H7794}, or for one {H259} ram {H352}, or for a lamb {H3532}{H7716}, or a kid {H5795}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Do it this way for each bull, ram, male lamb or kid.

Berean Standard Bible

This is to be done for each bull, ram, lamb, or goat.

American Standard Version

Thus shall it be done for each bullock, or for each ram, or for each of the he-lambs, or of the kids.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 15:11 functions as a concise summary statement within a larger section of Mosaic law, reiterating the uniform requirement for accompanying meal and drink offerings. This verse underscores that whether the primary animal sacrifice is a bullock, a ram, a lamb, or a kid, the prescribed additional offerings of fine flour, oil, and wine must be presented consistently, emphasizing God's demand for precise, orderly, and standardized worship from His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 15:11 serves as a concluding summary within a detailed legislative section (Numbers 15:1-16) concerning the accompanying offerings for various sacrifices. The preceding verses (Numbers 15:1-10) meticulously outline the specific quantities of fine flour, oil, and wine required for burnt offerings and peace offerings, varying only by the size of the animal (bullock, ram, lamb, or kid). Verse 11 then generalizes this principle, stating that "Thus shall it be done" for *any* of these animals, reinforcing the consistency of the law. Following this, Numbers 15:12-16 extends this principle of uniform law to both native-born Israelites and resident aliens, further highlighting the non-discriminatory and universal application of God's commands within the covenant community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** These laws were given to Israel while they were still in the wilderness, anticipating their entry into the Promised Land. The detailed instructions for offerings, including the accompanying meal (`minchah`) and drink (`nesek`) offerings, were crucial for establishing the proper worship protocols for the tabernacle cult, which would continue in Canaan. In the ancient Near East, it was common practice to offer libations and food with animal sacrifices, signifying a complete act of devotion and communion with the deity. For Israel, these specific divine prescriptions differentiated their worship from pagan practices, ensuring that their approach to Yahweh was on His terms, reflecting His holiness and sovereignty, and preparing them to be a distinct, holy nation in their new homeland.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 15:11 powerfully contributes to several key themes pervasive in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. It highlights **Divine Order and Law**, emphasizing God's meticulousness and the absolute necessity of adhering to His established commandments for approaching Him. This meticulousness ensured proper reverence and upheld the sanctity of the tabernacle worship, which was central to Israel's identity and relationship with God (see [Numbers 15:1-2](/numbers/15-1 "Numbers 15:1-2 - Laws for Offerings in the Land")). The verse also underscores **Consistency in Worship**, revealing that God's standards for offerings were not arbitrary but uniformly applied, regardless of the type or size of the sacrificial animal. This promoted equity and underscored that all aspects of worship were to be performed according to divine prescription, reflecting the unchanging nature of God's demands. Finally, these laws served as **Preparation for the Promised Land**, equipping the Israelites with the necessary framework for maintaining their covenant relationship with God and living as a holy people once they settled in Canaan (compare with [Numbers 15:18-21](/numbers/15-18 "Numbers 15:18-21 - Law of the First of the Dough")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"Thus shall it be done" (Hebrew, _kēn yē‘āseh'_):** This phrase carries significant weight, acting as a definitive legal formulation. The adverb "thus" (כֵּן, *kēn*) indicates a prescribed manner, while the verb "shall be done" (יֵעָשֶׂה, *yē‘āseh*) is a Niphal imperfect, conveying a passive sense of "it shall be made" or "it shall be brought about." Together, they emphasize an established, unchangeable divine decree. It signals that the preceding detailed instructions are not suggestions but binding requirements, leaving no room for individual discretion or variation in the preparation and presentation of offerings. This phrase underscores the fixed and authoritative nature of God's commands regarding worship.
* **"bullock, ram, lamb, or a kid" (Hebrew, _par, ’ayil, keves, ‘ēz'_):** The enumeration of these four specific animals is crucial. It represents the comprehensive range of standard sacrificial animals permitted within the Israelite cult. The "bullock" (פַּר, *par*) was typically the largest and most costly, often used for communal or significant individual offerings. The "ram" (אַיִל, *’ayil*) was also a substantial animal. "Lamb" (כֶּבֶשׂ, *keves*) and "kid" (עֵז, *‘ēz’*, referring to a young goat) were smaller, more accessible animals, often used for individual or less costly sacrifices. By listing all four, the verse explicitly states that the accompanying offerings are universally required, regardless of the size, value, or specific occasion associated with the primary animal sacrifice. This highlights the principle of uniformity and inclusivity in divine law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus shall it be done":** This opening clause functions as a strong declarative statement, affirming the preceding detailed instructions (Numbers 15:1-10) as an unalterable divine mandate. It signifies that the specific quantities of fine flour, oil, and wine for the meal and drink offerings are not optional or negotiable but are divinely prescribed and must be meticulously followed. It sets an authoritative tone for the entire principle being summarized.
* **"for one bullock":** This specifies the largest and most significant of the sacrificial animals. The accompanying offerings for a bullock were the most substantial (three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, half a hin of oil, and half a hin of wine, as per [Numbers 15:9-10](/numbers/15-9 "Numbers 15:9-10 - Offerings for a Bullock")). This clause establishes the first and most extensive example to which the "thus shall it be done" principle applies.
* **"or for one ram":** The ram represents a medium-sized sacrificial animal, for which slightly less substantial accompanying offerings were required (two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, one-third of a hin of oil, and one-third of a hin of wine, as per [Numbers 15:6-7](/numbers/15-6 "Numbers 15:6-7 - Offerings for a Ram")). The inclusion of "or" indicates that the rule applies equally to this category.
* **"or for a lamb, or a kid":** These represent the smaller, more common, and often more accessible sacrificial animals. The accompanying offerings for these were the least in quantity (one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour, one-fourth of a hin of oil, and one-fourth of a hin of wine, as per [Numbers 15:4-5](/numbers/15-4 "Numbers 15:4-5 - Offerings for a Lamb or Kid")). The final "or" ensures that the principle of uniform accompanying offerings extends to all standard types of animal sacrifices, making the law comprehensive and universally applicable across all economic strata and occasions.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 15:11 employs several literary devices to convey its message effectively. The most prominent is **Legal Formulation**, evident in the authoritative opening phrase "Thus shall it be done," which signals a binding divine decree and emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the command. This is reinforced by **Enumeration**, as the verse explicitly lists the four primary types of sacrificial animals: "bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid." This comprehensive listing ensures **Inclusivity**, demonstrating that the law applies universally to all standard animal sacrifices, leaving no room for exceptions or arbitrary variations. The verse also utilizes **Conciseness**, summarizing a complex set of preceding instructions (Numbers 15:1-10) into a single, declarative statement, which enhances its memorability and reinforces the overarching principle of consistency.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 15:11, though seemingly a minor detail in the vast body of Mosaic law, profoundly illustrates God's character and His expectations for His people. The meticulousness and uniformity demanded in these accompanying offerings reveal a God of order, precision, and holiness who requires His worship to be conducted according to His explicit will, not human preference or convenience. This consistency underscores the unchanging nature of God's standards and the seriousness with which He views the approach of His people into His presence. It teaches that true worship is not merely about the grand gesture (the animal sacrifice) but also about the faithful adherence to every prescribed detail, symbolizing a heart fully devoted and obedient to divine instruction. This principle of obedience to God's revealed will, even in seemingly small matters, is foundational to the covenant relationship and anticipates the New Testament emphasis on worship in spirit and truth.

* [Leviticus 1:1-17](/leviticus/1-1 "Leviticus 1:1-17 - Burnt Offerings")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice")
* [Hebrews 10:1-18](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-18 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific animal sacrifices and their accompanying offerings are no longer practiced by believers today, Numbers 15:11 remains a powerful testament to the enduring principles of worship and obedience. It challenges us to consider the intentionality and consistency with which we approach God in our spiritual lives. God's demand for meticulous adherence to His revealed will in the Old Covenant reminds us that our worship, prayer, service, and giving should not be haphazard or self-serving, but rather deliberate, consistent, and aligned with His Word. It calls us to offer our "spiritual sacrifices" (like praise, thanksgiving, righteous living, and acts of service) with the same diligence, reverence, and wholeheartedness that was expected of the Israelites in their physical offerings. This verse encourages us to examine our hearts, ensuring that our approach to God is always marked by humility, obedience, and a deep respect for His divine order, reflecting a life committed to honoring Him in every detail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the consistency demanded in Old Testament worship, as seen in Numbers 15:11, challenge our approach to worship today?**
* **In what ways can we offer "spiritual sacrifices" that are pleasing to God, reflecting the intentionality and diligence seen in the laws of accompanying offerings?**
* **What does God's meticulousness in these laws reveal about His character, and how should that shape our reverence and obedience in our relationship with Him?**

### FAQ

**Why were these specific accompanying offerings (meal and drink) required alongside animal sacrifices?**

Answer: The meal (grain) and drink (wine) offerings, known as *minchah* and *nesek* respectively, served several important purposes. They were not merely arbitrary additions but integral components of a complete act of worship. The grain offering, typically made of fine flour mixed with oil, symbolized the produce of the land and the fruit of human labor, representing a gift of sustenance and provision offered back to God. The drink offering, usually wine poured out, symbolized joy, life, and devotion, acting as a libation. Together with the animal sacrifice, which represented life given in atonement or dedication, these accompanying offerings formed a holistic expression of worship, acknowledging God as the source of all life and provision. They demonstrated the worshiper's complete dependence on and gratitude to God, offering not just a part, but a comprehensive representation of their resources and devotion. These offerings underscored the idea that approaching God involved a total commitment, encompassing both life (animal) and livelihood (grain and wine), as seen throughout the sacrificial laws in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - Grain Offerings") and [Numbers 28-29](/numbers/28 "Numbers 28-29 - Daily, Sabbath, and Festival Offerings").

**What is the significance of listing different animals (bullock, ram, lamb, kid) in this verse?**

Answer: The listing of "bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid" in Numbers 15:11 is highly significant because it emphasizes the **uniformity and universality** of the divine law regarding accompanying offerings. These four animals represent the full spectrum of standard sacrificial animals, ranging from the largest and most valuable (bullock) to the smaller and more accessible (lamb or kid). By explicitly stating that the same principle applies to all, the verse ensures that the divine standard is consistent, regardless of the worshiper's economic status or the specific occasion for which the primary animal sacrifice is being offered. It underscores that God's requirements for worship are not arbitrary or dependent on the perceived "grandeur" of the main offering, but rather are fixed and apply equally to everyone. This reinforces the idea that all worship, from the most humble to the most elaborate, must adhere to God's precise and unchanging commands, reflecting His impartiality and the singular standard of holiness He demands from His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 15:11, with its emphasis on the meticulous and consistent requirements for accompanying offerings, points powerfully to the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, in its intricate details and repeated nature, continually highlighted humanity's inability to perfectly meet God's holy standards and the constant need for atonement. The "thus shall it be done" of the Law, requiring specific additions to the animal sacrifice, foreshadowed the need for a complete and perfect offering that would fully satisfy God's righteous demands. Jesus, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), is that ultimate and singular sacrifice. His life, death, and resurrection constitute the perfect, once-for-all offering, fulfilling every requirement of the Law, including the spirit of meticulousness seen in Numbers 15:11. Unlike the Old Covenant sacrifices that needed accompanying elements and constant repetition (as detailed in [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow")), Christ's sacrifice is utterly complete and sufficient in itself, requiring no supplementary offerings from us for atonement. He is both the perfect animal sacrifice and the perfect accompanying offering, embodying all that was needed for reconciliation. Therefore, our "worship" under the New Covenant is no longer about physical sacrifices but about offering our lives as [living sacrifices](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices"), holy and pleasing to God, which is our spiritual act of worship, made possible only through faith in His finished work on the cross ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The meticulousness of the Old Covenant points to the absolute perfection of the New.

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.