Numbers 28:30

KJV

[And] one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And one {H259} kid {H8163} of the goats {H5795}, to make an atonement {H3722} for you.

Complete Jewish Bible

plus a male goat to make atonement for you.

Berean Standard Bible

Include one male goat to make atonement for you.

American Standard Version

one he-goat, to make atonement for you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:30 specifies the inclusion of "one kid of the goats" as a sin offering within the meticulously detailed sacrificial calendar given to Israel. This particular offering, designated for communal atonement, was a vital component of the prescribed worship, ensuring the community's ritual purity and right standing before a holy God, thereby allowing His presence to dwell among them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 28:30 is situated within a lengthy and highly detailed section of the Book of Numbers (chapters 28-29) that outlines the precise regulations for communal offerings throughout the Israelite year. This liturgical calendar specifies the animals, quantities, and types of sacrifices required for daily, weekly (Sabbath), monthly (New Moon), and annual festivals. Chapter 28 focuses on the regular burnt offerings and accompanying sin offerings for these occasions, leading directly into chapter 29, which details the offerings for the major annual feasts. Numbers 28:30 specifically refers to the sin offering that was to accompany the burnt offerings for the [Feast of Trumpets](/numbers/29-1 "Numbers 29:1 - Feast of Trumpets"), which marked the beginning of the seventh month. The placement of this verse underscores the pervasive and constant need for atonement, even amidst joyful celebrations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers were given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, a foundational period for establishing their national and religious identity. They were transitioning from a nomadic clan to a structured nation, with the Tabernacle as the central dwelling place of God among His people. In the ancient Near East, sacrifices were a common feature of religious practice, but Israel's sacrificial system was unique in its divine origin, its emphasis on holiness, and its focus on atonement rather than mere appeasement. The "kid of the goats" was a common and accessible animal for sacrifice, often designated for purification or sin offerings, reflecting its role in absorbing ritual impurity or sin on behalf of the offerer or community. These offerings were crucial for maintaining the covenant relationship, as they provided a divinely ordained means for a sinful people to approach and coexist with a holy God.

* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of "one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you" in Numbers 28:30 highlights several profound themes. Primarily, it underscores the **Holiness of God and the Seriousness of Sin**. The very necessity of a sin offering, even for unintentional communal transgressions or ritual impurities, demonstrates God's absolute purity and the profound impact of even minor defilement. Secondly, it showcases **Divine Provision and Grace**, as God Himself institutes the means by which His people can be reconciled to Him, rather than leaving them to their own devices. This act of atonement was not earned but was a gift. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **Corporate Responsibility and Unity**, as this was a communal offering, signifying that the entire assembly shared in the need for purification and the benefits of atonement. Finally, these detailed sacrificial laws, including the sin offering, served as a **Pedagogical and Typological** system, teaching Israel about the nature of sin, the cost of reconciliation, and pointing forward to the [ultimate and perfect sacrifice](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Forgiveness") that would one day truly take away sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kāp̄ar'_):** This verb literally means "to cover," "to purge," or "to make reconciliation." In the context of the Israelite sacrificial system, it denotes the process by which sin or defilement is covered, cleansed, and removed, thereby restoring a proper relationship between a sinful person or community and a holy God. It signifies propitiation, where God's wrath against sin is appeased, and expiation, where the sin itself is removed or purged. The goal was to allow God's holy presence to remain among His people without consuming them due to their impurity.
* **Kid of the goats (Hebrew, _śāʿîr izzîm'_):** This refers to a young male goat. In the Old Testament, goats, particularly male goats, were frequently prescribed for sin offerings (also called purification offerings, _ḥaṭṭāʾt_). The choice of an unblemished animal symbolized the purity required for the substitute, and its life was offered in place of the lives of the sinful community, demonstrating the principle of substitutionary sacrifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one kid of the goats":** This phrase specifies the exact animal required for this particular sin offering. The precision in the divine instruction underscores the meticulous nature of God's requirements for worship and atonement. It highlights the principle of substitution, where an innocent animal's life was given to cover the sins or impurities of the community.
* **"to make an atonement for you":** This clause explicitly states the purpose of the offering. The "you" here is plural, referring to the entire community of Israel. The offering was not merely a ritualistic act but had a profound theological function: to cleanse the people from their unintentional sins or ritual impurities, thereby restoring their right standing and allowing them to continue in covenant relationship with a holy God. This atonement was essential for the maintenance of God's presence among them.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 28:30, as part of a larger legal and liturgical text, employs several literary devices. **Prescriptive Language** is dominant, characterized by direct commands and detailed instructions, emphasizing the divine authority and the non-negotiable nature of these requirements for Israel's worship. The verse also utilizes **Symbolism**, where the "kid of the goats" serves as a potent symbol of substitution and purity, its life representing the life offered in place of the community's defilement. Furthermore, the broader context of Numbers 28-29 is marked by **Repetition** and **Enumeration**, as similar phrases and specific animal counts are reiterated for various feasts, reinforcing the pervasive need for atonement and the comprehensive nature of God's provision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:30, with its focus on atonement through sacrifice, echoes a foundational theological truth woven throughout the Old Testament: sin requires a payment, and God, in His mercy, provides the means for that payment. This verse underscores the principle that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood")). The communal aspect of this sin offering for the Feast of Trumpets highlights that sin, even unintentional, affects the entire community and requires corporate reconciliation. It points to God's unwavering commitment to maintain His relationship with His people despite their fallenness, by providing a way for their impurities to be covered and their fellowship with Him to be restored. This constant need for atonement in the Old Covenant beautifully foreshadows the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice of Christ.

* [Leviticus 16:30](/leviticus/16-30 "Leviticus 16:30 - Day of Atonement")
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation")
* [Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the ritualistic animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant are no longer required for believers in Christ, Numbers 28:30 retains profound spiritual significance. It serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of sin—that even unintentional transgressions or impurities necessitate divine intervention for reconciliation. This should cultivate a deep humility within us, recognizing our constant need for God's grace. Furthermore, it highlights God's incredible initiative and provision for dealing with sin. Just as He meticulously prescribed a way for Israel to be atoned for, He has provided the ultimate and perfect solution in Jesus Christ. Our response, therefore, should be one of profound gratitude for the complete and sufficient work of Christ on the cross, leading us to live lives of increasing holiness, reflecting the purity and righteousness that God has graciously imputed to us. This gratitude should also extend to our corporate life, recognizing that we are part of a community continually in need of God's grace and called to live in purity before Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the specificity and repetition of Old Testament sacrificial laws, like the one in Numbers 28:30, deepen your appreciation for the singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ?**
* **In what ways do you still need "atonement" in your daily life, not for salvation, but for ongoing purification, repentance, and reconciliation with God in light of your human failings?**
* **Considering this was a communal offering, how does understanding the corporate need for atonement inform your view of the church's role in seeking God's face and living in holiness together?**

### FAQ
**Why did God require animal sacrifices for atonement in the Old Testament?**

Answer: God required animal sacrifices primarily to teach His people about the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a substitute to bear its penalty. The shedding of blood symbolized the giving of a life for a life, illustrating that "the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood")). These sacrifices were not inherently capable of removing sin permanently but served as a temporary covering, a pedagogical tool that pointed forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They were a vivid object lesson, impressing upon Israel the cost of sin and God's gracious provision for reconciliation, preparing them for the coming of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:30, with its instruction for "one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including this specific sin offering, was a shadow pointing to the substance that is Christ ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - Shadow of Things to Come")). Just as the kid of the goats was an innocent substitute offered for the community's sin and impurity, Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") without blemish or defect, offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of the world ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood")). His blood, unlike that of goats and calves, truly cleanses the conscience and provides eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12-14](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12-14 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). He became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), completely fulfilling the purpose of every Old Testament atonement, establishing a new and living way to God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through Christ's Blood")).

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

Numbers 28:22

And one goat [for] a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.

Numbers 28:15

And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

1 Peter 3:18

¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Numbers 15:24

Then it shall be, if [ought] be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.

Galatians 3:13

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: