Numbers 15:3

And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:

And will make {H6213} an offering by fire {H801} unto the LORD {H3068}, a burnt offering {H5930}, or a sacrifice {H2077} in performing {H6381} a vow {H5088}, or in a freewill offering {H5071}, or in your solemn feasts {H4150}, to make {H6213} a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381} unto the LORD {H3068}, of the herd {H1241}, or of the flock {H6629}:

and want to make an offering by fire to ADONAI - a burnt offering or sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or to be a voluntary offering, or at your designated times, to make a fragrant aroma for ADONAI - then, whether it is comes from the herd or from the flock,

and you present an offering made by fire to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast—

and will make an offering by fire unto Jehovah, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a freewill-offering, or in your set feasts, to make a sweet savor unto Jehovah, of the herd, or of the flock;

Commentary

Numbers 15:3 is part of a larger section (Numbers 15:1-16) outlining the laws concerning various offerings to the LORD, particularly as the Israelites prepared to enter and settle in the Promised Land. This verse specifies several categories of offerings that require an accompanying meal and drink offering, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Israelite worship.

Context

The book of Numbers chronicles Israel's journey through the wilderness and the divine instructions given to them. Chapter 15 provides detailed regulations for offerings, which were crucial for maintaining fellowship with God and atoning for unintentional sins. These laws were not just for the wilderness but were also to be observed "when ye be come into the land of your habitations" (Numbers 15:2). Verse 3 lists the specific types of "offerings by fire" that would be considered a "sweet savour" to the LORD, highlighting the importance of proper and heartfelt worship in Israelite society under the Mosaic Law.

Key Themes

  • Divine Acceptance: The phrase "to make a sweet savour unto the LORD" signifies that the offering, when made according to divine instruction and with a proper heart, was pleasing and acceptable to God. This concept appears throughout the Old Testament, such as with Noah's post-flood sacrifice.
  • Variety of Offerings: The verse distinguishes between different types of offerings, each with its own purpose:
    • Burnt Offering: The 'olah (Hebrew for "that which goes up") was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement for general sin, as seen in Leviticus 1:4.
    • Sacrifice in Performing a Vow: An offering made to fulfill a solemn promise made to God, underscoring the importance of keeping one's word before the LORD (Deuteronomy 23:21).
    • Freewill Offering: A voluntary offering given out of gratitude, devotion, or spontaneous desire, demonstrating a willing heart beyond mere obligation.
    • Solemn Feasts: Offerings made during the annual appointed festivals, such as Passover, Pentecost, or Tabernacles, which were commanded times of worship and remembrance (Leviticus 23:2).
  • Worship and Dedication: Regardless of the specific type, each offering represented an act of worship, dependence, and dedication of resources (from the "herd, or of the flock") to God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sweet savour" comes from the Hebrew reah nihoah (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ), meaning "a soothing aroma" or "pleasing smell." This anthropomorphism doesn't imply God literally has a sense of smell, but rather conveys His divine acceptance and pleasure in the offering and, more importantly, in the obedient and devoted heart of the worshipper. It indicates that the sacrifice was performed correctly and was therefore agreeable to Him. The term 'olah for "burnt offering" literally means "ascending," referring to the smoke rising to God, symbolizing the worshipper's complete surrender.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:10), the principles behind these offerings remain highly relevant for believers today. We are called to offer "spiritual sacrifices" (1 Peter 2:5) that are a "sweet savour" to God. This includes:

  • Obedience and Dedication: Living a life of obedience to God's Word and dedicating our whole selves to Him, as Paul exhorts us to present our bodies as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1).
  • Worship and Praise: Offering sincere praise and thanksgiving as a "sacrifice of praise" (Hebrews 13:15).
  • Generosity and Service: Giving our time, talents, and resources, whether voluntarily or as part of our commitment, in a way that honors God. Just as Christ's own sacrifice was a "sweet smelling savour" (Ephesians 5:2), our lives can be an acceptable offering when lived in love and devotion to Him.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 29:18

    And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it [is] a burnt offering unto the LORD: it [is] a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

  • Genesis 8:21

    And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

  • Numbers 28:27

    But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;

  • Leviticus 27:2

    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons [shall be] for the LORD by thy estimation.

  • Leviticus 1:1

    ¶ And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

  • Leviticus 1:17

    And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, [but] shall not divide [it] asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that [is] upon the fire: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • Leviticus 23:1

    ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
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