Numbers 29:13

KJV

And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, [and] fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall offer {H7126} a burnt offering {H5930}, a sacrifice made by fire {H801}, of a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381} unto the LORD {H3068}; thirteen {H7969}{H6240} young {H1241}{H1121} bullocks {H6499}, two {H8147} rams {H352}, and fourteen {H702}{H6240} lambs {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141}; they shall be without blemish {H8549}:

Complete Jewish Bible

You are to present a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, bringing a fragrant aroma to ADONAI. It is to consist of thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year (they are to be without defect),

Berean Standard Bible

As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,

American Standard Version

and ye shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old; they shall be without blemish;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:13 meticulously details the extensive burnt offerings required for the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing the precise nature of Israelite worship. This command highlights God's demand for unblemished sacrifices, the concept of a "sweet savour" signifying divine acceptance, and the sheer abundance of offerings, collectively underscoring the holiness of God, the need for complete devotion, and the profound gratitude due for His provision and covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29 is part of a larger section (Numbers 28-29) that provides a comprehensive calendar of national sacrifices for the annual feasts of Israel, building upon earlier instructions in Leviticus. This chapter specifically outlines the daily and festival offerings, moving from the regular daily sacrifices to those for the Sabbaths, New Moons, Passover, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and finally, the Feast of Tabernacles. Numbers 29:13 focuses on the inaugural day of this seven-day harvest festival, detailing the unique and exceptionally large number of animals required for the burnt offering, distinct from the sin offerings and grain offerings also prescribed. The meticulous repetition of "on the first day," "on the second day," etc., throughout the chapter underscores the divine precision and importance of these cultic observances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers 29 were given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, preparing them for life in the Promised Land and establishing the foundational elements of their national worship. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, celebrated in the autumn (Tishrei, seventh month) after the harvest. It served a dual purpose: commemorating God's miraculous provision and protection during the forty years in temporary shelters (sukkot) in the wilderness, and celebrating the ingathering of the harvest. The agricultural aspect made it a time of great joy and thanksgiving. The sheer scale of the sacrifices, particularly the decreasing number of bullocks each day of Sukkot (13 on day 1, 12 on day 2, etc.), was unique and likely symbolized a comprehensive offering of the nation's produce and devotion to God, reflecting the bounty of the harvest and the totality of their dependence on Him.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 29:13, within its broader context, powerfully illustrates several core themes. First, it underscores the **holiness and transcendence of God**, demanding specific, unblemished sacrifices as the only acceptable means of approach. Second, it highlights the **principle of atonement and reconciliation**, as burnt offerings were primarily for general sin and complete dedication, making the people acceptable to God. Third, the immense quantity of animals points to **divine abundance and human generosity**, reflecting God's lavish provision and calling for a commensurate response of giving the "first and best" back to Him, a theme echoed in passages like [Deuteronomy 16:17](/deuteronomy/16-17 "Deuteronomy 16:17 - Giving as God Has Blessed"). Finally, the meticulous detail emphasizes **divine sovereignty and the necessity of precise obedience** in worship, demonstrating that true worship is not self-invented but divinely prescribed, as seen in the warnings against unauthorized worship in [Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt offering (Hebrew, _‘olah'_):** This term literally means "that which ascends" or "goes up." It refers to a whole burnt offering where the entire animal (except the hide, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire on the altar. It symbolized complete devotion, total surrender, and served as a general atonement for sin, signifying the worshiper's dedication to God and the complete consumption of the offering in His presence.
* **Sweet savour (Hebrew, _reah nihoah'_):** This phrase translates to "a soothing aroma," "pleasing odor," or "fragrant offering." It is an anthropomorphic expression signifying God's acceptance, pleasure, and satisfaction with the offering. It indicates that the sacrifice was received favorably by Him, establishing or restoring fellowship between God and His people, and that it fulfilled its intended purpose in His sight.
* **Without blemish (Hebrew, _tamim'_):** Meaning "whole," "complete," "perfect," or "sound." This was a non-negotiable requirement for all sacrificial animals, ensuring the highest quality and purity. Symbolically, it represented the moral and spiritual perfection required in approaching a holy God, emphasizing that only what is perfect can be offered to the Perfect One, thereby foreshadowing the ultimate perfect sacrifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD;":** This initial clause sets the purpose and nature of the offering. The "burnt offering" (`‘olah`) was entirely consumed, symbolizing total dedication and atonement. Its designation as "a sacrifice made by fire" underscores the divinely ordained method of presentation. The crucial phrase "of a sweet savour unto the LORD" indicates God's acceptance and pleasure, signifying that the offering was received favorably and achieved its purpose of reconciliation and fellowship.
* **"thirteen young bullocks, two rams, [and] fourteen lambs of the first year;":** This specifies the extraordinarily large quantity and type of animals required for this particular day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The numbers are significant: thirteen bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs. This abundance highlights the national scope of the offering, the unique importance of Sukkot, and the lavishness of the people's devotion and gratitude, reflecting God's own abundant provision and calling for a commensurate response.
* **"they shall be without blemish:":** This final, critical requirement ensures the quality and purity of the animals. "Without blemish" (`tamim`) means physically perfect, free from any defect or imperfection. This standard was essential because the sacrifice represented the worshiper and was presented to a holy God. It underscored the sanctity of the act and foreshadowed the necessity of a perfect, spotless sacrifice for ultimate atonement.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Enumeration** is prominent, with the precise listing of each animal type and quantity (thirteen bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs), emphasizing the meticulousness of divine command and the sheer scale of the required offerings. The phrase "sweet savour" functions as **anthropomorphism**, attributing human sensory perception (smell) to God to convey His acceptance and pleasure in the sacrifice, making an abstract theological concept relatable and tangible. Furthermore, the repeated emphasis on "without blemish" serves as a powerful **symbolism**, representing the ideal of purity, wholeness, and perfection required in approaching a holy God, and implicitly foreshadowing a future, ultimate perfect sacrifice. The entire sacrificial system, as detailed here, also operates as a **type**, pointing forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:13, with its detailed instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles offerings, profoundly illustrates the Old Covenant's emphasis on God's holiness, humanity's sinfulness, and the divinely appointed means of atonement and reconciliation. The sheer volume and unblemished nature of the sacrifices underscore the gravity of sin and the immense cost of approaching a holy God. This constant, costly ritual served to remind Israel of their dependence on God's grace and the ongoing need for expiation. It also highlighted the principle of giving God one's best, reflecting a heart of gratitude and complete devotion for His covenant faithfulness and abundant provision. The "sweet savour" signified God's acceptance, not merely of the animal, but of the worshiper's obedient heart behind the offering.

* [Leviticus 1:3-9](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3-9 - Regulations for Burnt Offerings")
* [Exodus 29:18](/exodus/29-18 "Exodus 29:18 - A Burnt Offering of Sweet Aroma")
* [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "Malachi 1:8 - Offering Imperfect Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles embedded in Numbers 29:13 remain profoundly relevant for believers today, guiding our understanding of worship, devotion, and God's character. This verse challenges us to consider the quality of our offerings to God—not in terms of animals, but in the dedication of our lives, our time, our talents, and our resources. Just as Israel was commanded to bring "without blemish" and abundant sacrifices, we are called to offer our "best" to God, not merely our leftovers or what is convenient. Our worship, whether in corporate gatherings or in daily living, should be an intentional act of devotion, a "sweet savour" arising from a heart of gratitude and full surrender, seeking to please God above all else. It reminds us that true worship is costly, demanding our whole selves, and is ultimately about aligning our will with God's perfect will, trusting in His provision and acknowledging His sovereignty over every aspect of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I holding back my "best" from God, and how can I offer more fully?**
* **How can my daily actions and attitudes become a "sweet savour" of worship to the Lord, reflecting genuine gratitude and devotion?**
* **What does the meticulousness of God's commands in Numbers 29:13 teach me about the importance of intentionality, obedience, and reverence in my faith and worship today?**

### FAQ
**Why were so many animals required for the Feast of Tabernacles?**

Answer: The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the most important and joyous festivals in the Israelite calendar, celebrating both God's provision during the wilderness wanderings and the ingathering of the autumn harvest. The exceptionally large number of sacrifices, particularly the thirteen bullocks on the first day (decreasing daily throughout the feast), symbolized the nation's comprehensive thanksgiving and dedication to God for His abundant blessings and covenant faithfulness. It was a national offering reflecting the bounty of the harvest and the totality of their dependence on Him, demonstrating the magnitude of their gratitude and the importance of this specific feast. This lavishness was unique to Sukkot, distinguishing it from other festivals, and underscored the wealth of God's provision and the commensurate response of His people.

**What is the significance of a "sweet savour" in the context of Old Testament sacrifices?**

Answer: The phrase "sweet savour" (Hebrew: _reah nihoah_) is an anthropomorphic expression used throughout the Old Testament sacrificial laws, indicating God's acceptance, pleasure, and satisfaction with the offering. It signifies that the sacrifice was received favorably by Him and that it achieved its intended purpose of atonement, reconciliation, or fellowship. It was not about God literally smelling an aroma, but about His divine approval of the obedient act of worship and the heart behind it. This concept is spiritually echoed in the New Testament, where Christ's sacrifice is described as "a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" in [Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering"), signifying its perfect acceptance by the Father.

**How does the requirement "without blemish" relate to Christ?**

Answer: The repeated command that sacrificial animals be "without blemish" (Hebrew: _tamim_, meaning perfect or whole) was a critical requirement, ensuring the highest quality and purity. This symbolized the moral and spiritual perfection necessary to approach a holy God. In the New Testament, this requirement finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is consistently presented as 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")), described as "a lamb without blemish or spot" ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ's Precious Blood, Without Blemish")), whose perfect, sinless life qualified Him to be the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice for humanity's sins. His perfection meant His sacrifice was fully acceptable to God, unlike the repeated, imperfect sacrifices of the Old Covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:13, with its meticulous commands for abundant, unblemished burnt offerings, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The sheer volume of sacrifices, particularly the thirteen bullocks on the first day of Tabernacles, underscored the continuous and costly nature of atonement under the Old Covenant, highlighting humanity's persistent sinfulness and the repeated need for expiation. This stands in stark contrast to the singular, perfect sacrifice of Christ. He is the ultimate "burnt offering," the one who completely surrendered His life in total devotion to God's will, a "sweet savour" perfectly acceptable to the Father because He was truly "without blemish" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Spotless Sacrifice")). Unlike the temporary efficacy of animal blood, Christ's blood, shed "once for all" on the cross, fully satisfied God's righteous demands, providing eternal redemption and access to God ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Single Sacrifice for All Time")). The Feast of Tabernacles, celebrating God's dwelling among His people, also points to Christ, who "dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), and to the ultimate eternal fellowship with God that His sacrifice secures, making us "a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" through Him ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering")).

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 28:11

And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;

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;

Romans 12:1

¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

Hebrews 10:12

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Hebrews 10:14

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Numbers 29:2

And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, [and] seven lambs of the first year without blemish:

Numbers 28:19

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: