Numbers 28:19

KJV

But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish:

KJV (with Strong's)

But ye shall offer {H7126} a sacrifice made by fire {H801} for a burnt offering {H5930} unto the LORD {H3068}; two {H8147} young {H1241} bullocks {H6499}, and one {H259} ram {H352}, and seven {H7651} lambs {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141}: they shall be unto you without blemish {H8549}:

Complete Jewish Bible

but present an offering made by fire, a burnt offering, to ADONAI, consisting of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs in their first year (they are to be without defect for you)

Berean Standard Bible

Present to the LORD an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished.

American Standard Version

but ye shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt-offering unto Jehovah: two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven he-lambs a year old; they shall be unto you without blemish;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:19 details the specific requirements for the burnt offering to be presented to the LORD during the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This verse, part of a larger calendar of sacred observances, meticulously prescribes the exact animals—two young bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year—all of which must be "without blemish," underscoring the divine demand for precision, purity, and complete dedication in Israel's communal worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapters 28 and 29 constitute a detailed liturgical calendar, outlining the sacrifices required for daily, weekly (Sabbath), monthly (New Moon), and annual (feasts) observances. This section serves as a comprehensive and authoritative codification of the sacrificial system, building upon earlier instructions found in [Exodus](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - Consecration of Priests and Offerings") and [Leviticus](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Feasts of the LORD"). Numbers 28:19 specifically addresses the daily burnt offering for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately follows the Passover. The meticulous repetition and expansion of these laws emphasize their enduring importance and the continuous rhythm of Israel's covenant relationship with God, ensuring that future generations understood and upheld these sacred duties.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers were given to Israel during their wilderness wanderings, preparing them for life in the Promised Land. The sacrificial system was central to Israelite worship and their unique identity as God's chosen people. Feasts like Passover and Unleavened Bread were not merely religious rituals but deeply embedded cultural and historical commemorations, recalling God's deliverance from Egyptian bondage ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus")). The offerings, particularly the burnt offering, were a communal act of atonement, dedication, and thanksgiving, designed to maintain the purity of the community and its fellowship with a holy God. The requirement for specific animals and their blemish-free status reflected the high value placed on these offerings and the seriousness of approaching the divine presence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within its broader context, highlights several crucial themes. First, it underscores **Divine Specificity in Worship**, demonstrating God's meticulous concern for how He is approached. The precise numbers and types of animals were not arbitrary but divinely ordained, emphasizing that true worship is not left to human discretion but must conform to God's revealed will, as seen in the severe consequences for unauthorized worship in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire"). Second, the nature of the **Burnt Offering** (Hebrew: *'olah*, "that which ascends") symbolizes complete dedication and surrender; the entire animal, save the hide, was consumed by fire, rising as a "pleasing aroma" to the LORD, signifying total devotion and propitiation. Third, the **Requirement of Perfection** ("without blemish") is a non-negotiable standard for all sacrifices, signifying God's absolute holiness and His acceptance of nothing less than the best, foreshadowing the ultimate perfect sacrifice necessary for true atonement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _‘ōlāh_):** This term, derived from the root meaning "to go up" or "to ascend," refers to a sacrifice where the entire animal (except for the hide, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire on the altar. Unlike other sacrifices where portions were eaten by priests or worshippers, the *‘ōlāh* symbolized complete dedication and surrender to God, ascending to Him as a "pleasing aroma." It was primarily an offering of atonement for unintentional sin and a general expression of devotion, consecration, and propitiation.
* **Without Blemish (Hebrew, _tāmîm_):** This crucial term signifies "whole," "complete," "perfect," "sound," or "blameless." It refers not just to physical perfection (e.g., no broken bones, no disease) but also implies integrity and wholeness. For sacrificial animals, it meant they were flawless and acceptable for presentation to a holy God. This requirement underscored God's absolute purity and the high standard for anything offered in His presence, serving as a powerful theological symbol of the ideal offering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD;":** This opening clause establishes the nature and recipient of the offering. It specifies that the offering is to be consumed by fire on the altar, emphasizing the ritualistic aspect and the complete dedication implied by a burnt offering (*‘ōlāh*). The phrase "unto the LORD" underscores that this is an act of worship directed solely to God, affirming His sovereignty and the covenant relationship.
* **"two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year:":** This segment provides the precise quantitative and qualitative details of the animals required for the burnt offering during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The specific numbers (two bullocks, one ram, seven lambs) are not arbitrary but divinely stipulated, reflecting the meticulousness of God's commands and the structured nature of Israelite worship. "Lambs of the first year" denotes animals in their prime, representing the best and most valuable of the flock.
* **"they shall be unto you without blemish:":** This final, critical clause reiterates the absolute requirement for the physical perfection of all sacrificial animals. The term "without blemish" (*tāmîm*) ensures that only the purest and most complete animals are offered, symbolizing the holiness of God and the integrity demanded in approaching Him. This standard was non-negotiable and applied universally to all sacrifices, signifying the high value and sacredness of the act of worship.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 28:19 employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. The most prominent is **Specification** or **Meticulous Detail**, which is evident in the precise enumeration of animals ("two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs") and their required quality ("of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish"). This level of detail emphasizes the divine origin of the commands and the absolute necessity of strict adherence, leaving no room for human improvisation in worship. The **Repetition** of the "without blemish" requirement throughout the sacrificial laws (e.g., [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Burnt Offering Requirements")) serves to underscore its fundamental importance, reinforcing the theological concept of purity and perfection in God's sight. Furthermore, the very act of the **Burnt Offering** itself functions as **Symbolism**, where the complete consumption of the animal by fire symbolizes total dedication, surrender, and atonement, with the smoke ascending as a "pleasing aroma" to God. The numbers themselves (e.g., seven lambs) can carry **Numerological Significance**, with "seven" often representing completeness or perfection in biblical contexts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:19, with its meticulous instructions for the burnt offering, deeply reinforces the theological truth that God is holy and demands a holy approach from His people. The emphasis on "without blemish" animals underscores the absolute purity required for atonement and communion with the divine. This principle extends beyond the physical perfection of an animal to the spiritual integrity of the worshipper, highlighting that genuine worship must be offered with a sincere heart and a desire for blamelessness. The communal nature of these offerings for the Feast of Unleavened Bread also signifies the corporate responsibility of Israel to maintain its covenant relationship with God through obedient and prescribed acts of worship, ensuring the nation's ongoing purity and fellowship with their divine King.

* [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Requirements for Burnt Offering")
* [Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Exodus 12:5 - Passover Lamb Requirements")
* [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "Malachi 1:8 - Offering Blemished Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system, including the specific commands in Numbers 28:19, has been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for believers today. The divine demand for "without blemish" offerings challenges us to consider the quality of our own worship and service. Are we offering God our best—our time, talents, resources, and deepest affections—or are we presenting Him with what is convenient, leftover, or "blemished" by half-heartedness? The meticulousness of God's instructions reminds us that worship is not merely an emotional experience but a deliberate act of reverence and obedience, calling us to intentionality and sincerity in all we do for Him. Our lives are now called to be "living sacrifices," holy and acceptable, reflecting the complete dedication symbolized by the ancient burnt offering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the "without blemish" requirement teach us about the nature of God and what He expects from our worship today?**
* **How can we, as New Testament believers, offer our "best" to God in ways that parallel the meticulousness of the Old Testament sacrifices?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be offering God "blemished" or half-hearted devotion, and how can I strive for greater integrity and wholeness in my service?**

### FAQ
**Why are the details of the animals so specific in this verse?**

Answer: The specificity in Numbers 28:19 regarding the number and type of animals (two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year) is crucial because it underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His meticulous concern for how He is to be worshipped. These details were not left to human discretion but were divinely ordained, emphasizing that true worship must align with God's revealed will. This precision ensured uniformity across the Israelite community, prevented arbitrary offerings, and highlighted the seriousness and sacredness of approaching a holy God. It also served as a pedagogical tool, teaching Israel about order, obedience, and the value of their covenant relationship, as seen in other detailed instructions throughout [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering").

**What is the significance of the phrase "without blemish"?**

Answer: The phrase "without blemish" (Hebrew: *tāmîm*) is paramount in sacrificial law. It means the animal must be physically perfect, whole, sound, and complete, free from any defect, disease, or injury. Theologically, this requirement symbolized the absolute purity and holiness of God, who accepts nothing less than perfection. It also pointed to the ideal nature of the offering itself, emphasizing that the best and most valuable was to be given to the LORD. Ultimately, this standard served as a profound foreshadowing of the perfect, sinless sacrifice of [Jesus Christ](/1-peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ as the Spotless Lamb"), who alone could truly atone for sin because He was "without blemish or spot."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:19, with its exacting demands for a "burnt offering... without blemish," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "burnt offering" symbolized complete dedication and atonement, with the entire sacrifice ascending to God. This foreshadows Christ's perfect and complete surrender to the Father's will, even to death on the cross, as the ultimate act of obedience and self-giving. He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the true and perfect sacrifice. The repeated command for animals to be "without blemish" points directly to Christ's sinless perfection; unlike the Old Testament sacrifices which were merely types and shadows, requiring continuous repetition because of their inherent imperfection ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law's Imperfection")), Jesus offered Himself "without blemish to God" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). His once-for-all sacrifice, offered through the eternal Spirit, perfectly atoned for sin, consecrated believers, and opened the way for direct access to God, fulfilling every requirement of the Mosaic Law and establishing a new covenant based on His perfect, unblemished offering ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice")).

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.