Numbers 28:6

[It is] a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

It is a continual {H8548} burnt offering {H5930}, which was ordained {H6213} in mount {H2022} Sinai {H5514} for a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381}, a sacrifice made by fire {H801} unto the LORD {H3068}.

It is the regular burnt offering, the same as was offered on Mount Sinai to give a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire for ADONAI.

This is a regular burnt offering established at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

It is a continual burnt-offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

Commentary

Numbers 28:6 describes the daily, unwavering nature of the burnt offering prescribed by God for the Israelites. This verse is part of a larger section in Numbers detailing the specific offerings to be made on various days, weeks, and feasts, emphasizing the precise and continuous worship God commanded.

Context of the Continual Burnt Offering

The book of Numbers continues the narrative of Israel's journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, detailing their organization, laws, and worship practices. Chapters 28 and 29 meticulously lay out the ordinances for daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices. The "continual burnt offering" (Hebrew: olah tamid) referred to in verse 6 was the foundation of Israel's public worship, symbolizing a constant dedication and atonement for the nation. It was initially ordained by God at Mount Sinai, as detailed in Exodus 29:38-42, consisting of two lambs offered dailyโ€”one in the morning and one in the evening.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unceasing Devotion: The command for a "continual burnt offering" underscored the necessity of constant worship and remembrance of God's covenant. It was a daily reminder of Israel's dependence on God and His provision for their sin.
  • Atonement and Fellowship: Burnt offerings served as a means of atonement for unintentional sins and as an expression of complete surrender and devotion to God. The act of sacrifice facilitated fellowship between God and His people.
  • God's Ordination and Holiness: The fact that this offering was "ordained in mount Sinai" highlights its divine origin and the holiness of God, who set forth specific ways for His people to approach Him. It speaks to God's precise requirements for worship.
  • Acceptable Worship: Described as "a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD," this phrase indicates God's acceptance and pleasure in the offering when it was performed according to His commands. This concept of a pleasing aroma is later applied to Christ's sacrifice, as seen in Ephesians 5:2, where Christ gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "continual burnt offering" translates from the Hebrew olah tamid (ืขึนืœึทืช ืชึธึผืžึดื™ื“). Olah refers to an offering that "ascends" in smoke, signifying complete consumption and dedication to God. Tamid means "continual" or "perpetual," emphasizing the unbroken, daily nature of this ritual. The term "sweet savour" (Hebrew: reah nihoah, ืจึตื™ื—ึท ื ึดื™ื—ึนื—ึท) literally means "a soothing aroma" or "a restful scent," indicating that the offering was pleasing and acceptable to God, bringing Him satisfaction.

Practical Application and Significance

While the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament are no longer binding for believers due to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, the principles behind the continual burnt offering remain profoundly relevant. For us, this verse encourages a life of continual devotion and worship, not through animal sacrifices, but by presenting our lives as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1). The daily nature of the offering reminds us of the importance of consistent prayer, Bible study, and obedience. Furthermore, the concept of a "sweet savour" points to the perfect and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which truly satisfied God's righteous demands and provided eternal atonement (Hebrews 10:10-14). Our worship today, empowered by the Holy Spirit and offered through Christ, is our "sweet savour" to the Lord.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Amos 5:25

    Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?

  • Exodus 29:38

    ยถ Now this [is that] which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

  • Exodus 29:42

    [This shall be] a continual burnt offering throughout your generations [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

  • Exodus 31:18

    And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

  • Ezra 3:4

    They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as [it is] written, and [offered] the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;

  • Leviticus 6:9

    Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This [is] the law of the burnt offering: It [is] the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.

  • 2 Chronicles 2:4

    Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate [it] to him, [and] to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This [is an ordinance] for ever to Israel.
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