Numbers 29:18

KJV

And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, [shall be] according to their number, after the manner:

KJV (with Strong's)

And their meat offering {H4503} and their drink offerings {H5262} for the bullocks {H6499}, for the rams {H352}, and for the lambs {H3532}, shall be according to their number {H4557}, after the manner {H4941}:

Complete Jewish Bible

with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule;

Berean Standard Bible

along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed.

American Standard Version

and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:18 details the specific quantities and types of accompanying grain and drink offerings required for the second day of the Feast of Tabernacles. This verse, situated within a broader section of meticulous sacrificial instructions, underscores the divine demand for precise and comprehensive worship, revealing God's holiness and the seriousness with which His people were to approach Him, ensuring that every aspect of the prescribed ritual was fulfilled "according to their number, after the manner."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:18 is embedded within a highly detailed section (Numbers 29:12-38) outlining the sacrificial requirements for the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a major autumnal festival. This particular verse specifies the offerings for the second day of the feast, following the initial instructions for the first day in [Numbers 29:12-16](/numbers/29-12 "Numbers 29:12-16 - Sacrifices for the First Day of Tabernacles"). The preceding verses in chapter 29 (Numbers 29:1-11) have already prescribed offerings for other significant annual feasts: the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The meticulous repetition of sacrificial details for each day of Tabernacles, including the diminishing number of bullocks offered daily, highlights the systematic and divinely ordered nature of Israel's worship, emphasizing that every aspect of their communion with God was carefully orchestrated.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, was one of the three pilgrimage festivals (along with Passover and Pentecost) where all Israelite males were commanded to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. It was an agricultural harvest festival, celebrating the ingathering of the final crops, but it also held deep historical significance, commemorating God's provision and protection during Israel's forty years of wilderness wanderings, when they lived in temporary shelters or booths (sukkot). The elaborate sacrificial system, including grain and drink offerings alongside animal sacrifices, was central to Israelite worship. These offerings were not merely symbolic but were tangible expressions of devotion, atonement, thanksgiving, and communion, deeply ingrained in the daily and annual rhythms of their lives. The precision in quantities reflected the divine standard of holiness and the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The detailed instructions in Numbers 29:18, and indeed throughout the sacrificial laws, contribute to several key themes. First, **Divine Sovereignty and Holiness** are paramount, as God dictates the precise manner in which He is to be approached, leaving no room for human improvisation. This underscores His transcendent nature and the reverence due to Him. Second, **Obedience to Divine Command** is consistently emphasized; the well-being and blessing of the nation were directly tied to their faithful adherence to God's revealed will, as seen in the broader covenant stipulations of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Third, the concept of **Holistic Devotion** is evident in the inclusion of various types of offerings—animal sacrifices representing life, grain offerings (meal, flour, oil) representing the produce of the land and human labor, and drink offerings (wine) representing joy and bounty. This comprehensive approach signifies that all aspects of Israelite life, from their sustenance to their celebrations, were to be consecrated to the Lord, reflecting a complete dedication of self and resources, a principle also seen in the instructions for the grain offering in [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - The Grain Offering").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat Offering (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** In the King James Version, "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew term _minchah_. Unlike modern English, where "meat" refers to animal flesh, _minchah_ consistently denotes a "grain offering" or "meal offering." These offerings typically consisted of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense, and were presented to God as a gift, an act of homage, or a tribute. They symbolized the dedication of the fruits of labor and the sustenance of life to the Lord, often accompanying burnt offerings or peace offerings, as seen in [Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1 - The Law of the Grain Offering").
* **Drink Offering (Hebrew, _nesekh'_):** The Hebrew word _nesekh_ refers to a "drink offering" or "libation," which was typically wine poured out on the altar as part of a sacrificial ritual. This act symbolized devotion, joy, and the pouring out of one's life or resources before God. It was often presented alongside burnt offerings and grain offerings, completing the sacrificial act by dedicating the liquid bounty of the land. The instructions for drink offerings are detailed elsewhere, for example, in [Numbers 15:5](/numbers/15-5 "Numbers 15:5 - Instructions for Drink Offerings").
* **According to their number, after the manner (Hebrew, _k'misparam k'mishpatam'_):** This phrase emphasizes the precise quantitative and qualitative requirements for the offerings. _K'misparam_ (according to their number) refers to the exact count or proportion of each offering (e.g., specific amounts of flour, oil, and wine for each bullock, ram, or lamb). _K'mishpatam_ (after the manner, or according to their judgment/ordinance) refers to the prescribed ritual, method, or legal statute for how these offerings were to be prepared and presented. This dual emphasis highlights the meticulousness of God's commands, demanding both exact quantity and proper procedure, leaving no room for human discretion or deviation in worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their meat offering and their drink offerings":** This clause introduces the two types of accompanying offerings that are the focus of the verse. These are not the primary animal sacrifices themselves (bullocks, rams, lambs) but rather the supplementary offerings that were always presented alongside them, indicating a holistic and complete act of worship.
* **"for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs":** This specifies the recipients of these accompanying offerings. The grain and drink offerings were not offered independently but were directly proportional to, and presented in conjunction with, the various animal sacrifices mandated for the second day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The varying sizes and types of animals (bullocks being large, rams medium, lambs small) would have corresponding, prescribed amounts of grain and drink offerings.
* **"[shall be] according to their number, after the manner":** This concluding phrase is crucial, reiterating the divine demand for absolute precision and adherence to established protocol. "According to their number" means the exact quantity of grain and drink offering was specified for each animal type and number (e.g., for each bullock, a certain measure; for each ram, a different measure). "After the manner" signifies that the preparation, presentation, and pouring out of these offerings had to follow the pre-established, divinely ordained ritualistic procedures, ensuring that the worship was not only quantitatively correct but also qualitatively pure and acceptable to God.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 29:18, and indeed throughout the sacrificial legislation in Numbers and Leviticus, is **Legal Precision** or **Detailed Prescriptive Language**. The text employs an exacting, formulaic style to ensure that every aspect of the ritual is understood and performed without deviation. This is reinforced by **Repetition**, as similar phrases like "according to their number, after the manner" or "as a pleasing aroma to the Lord" recur throughout the chapters detailing offerings, underscoring the unwavering divine expectation. There is also an element of **Symbolism**, where the physical acts of offering grain and wine symbolize deeper spiritual truths of consecration, joy, and dependence on God for sustenance. The meticulous enumeration of animals and their corresponding offerings also functions as a form of **Categorization** and **Classification**, organizing complex ritual requirements into an understandable, albeit extensive, framework.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:18 powerfully articulates the theological principle that true worship is not arbitrary but must align with God's revealed will. The meticulous detail concerning the "meat offering" (grain offering) and "drink offering" underscores God's holiness and His demand for an ordered, complete, and obedient approach from His people. This precision reflects the perfect order of the divine character and serves to impress upon Israel the seriousness of their covenant relationship. It teaches that devotion to God involves a holistic offering of all aspects of life—from the produce of the land (grain) to the joy of the harvest (wine)—all presented in the exact manner prescribed by the Divine Lawgiver. This foreshadows the perfect and complete sacrifice that would ultimately be required and given for humanity's redemption.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Building the Tabernacle According to the Pattern")
* [Leviticus 7:37-38](/leviticus/7-37 "Leviticus 7:37-38 - Summary of the Laws of Offerings")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Atonement")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal sacrificial system of the Old Testament has been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles of Numbers 29:18 remain profoundly relevant for believers today, guiding our approach to worship and discipleship. The divine demand for precision and completeness in ancient offerings challenges us to consider the intentionality and comprehensiveness of our own "spiritual sacrifices." Our worship should not be haphazard or self-serving, but rather thoughtful, deliberate, and offered in obedience to God's revealed will in Scripture. This means dedicating our best—our time, talents, resources, and even our very bodies—as a "living sacrifice" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")), reflecting the holiness of God and our reverence for Him. Just as the grain and drink offerings completed the animal sacrifices, our devotion should be holistic, encompassing every facet of our lives, acknowledging that all we have and are comes from God and is to be used for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Old Testament sacrifices, like those in Numbers 29:18, inform your understanding of God's character and His expectations for worship today?**
* **In what practical ways can you offer a "holistic devotion" to God, encompassing your time, talents, and resources, rather than just a portion?**
* **What does "according to their number, after the manner" mean for your personal spiritual disciplines and obedience to God's Word in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "meat offering" and "drink offering" in Numbers 29:18?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "meat offering" refers to a grain offering (_minchah_ in Hebrew), typically made of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. It symbolized the dedication of the produce of the land and the fruits of human labor to God, representing sustenance and provision. The "drink offering" (_nesekh_ in Hebrew) was usually wine poured out as a libation, symbolizing joy, devotion, and the pouring out of one's life or resources before the Lord. Both were supplementary offerings, accompanying the primary animal sacrifices (bullocks, rams, lambs), signifying a complete and comprehensive act of worship where all aspects of life—from sustenance to celebration—were consecrated to God. These offerings were not optional but were meticulously prescribed, emphasizing the divine demand for precise and holistic worship, as detailed in [Numbers 15:1-10](/numbers/15-1 "Numbers 15:1-10 - Laws for Offerings").

**Why are the instructions for sacrifices so detailed and repetitive in the Book of Numbers?**

Answer: The detailed and often repetitive nature of the sacrificial instructions in Numbers, including Numbers 29:18, serves several crucial purposes. First, it underscores the absolute holiness of God and the seriousness with which His people were to approach Him. Worship was not to be a casual or improvised affair but a sacred act performed according to divine command. Second, it ensured uniformity and consistency in worship across all generations and tribes of Israel, preventing deviation from God's prescribed will. Third, the repetition served as a pedagogical tool, deeply imprinting these laws upon the memory and practice of the Israelites. Finally, this meticulousness foreshadows the perfect and complete nature of the ultimate sacrifice required for atonement, highlighting that no human effort or partial offering could suffice to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, a theme fully revealed in the New Testament (e.g., [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow of Good Things to Come")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:18, with its meticulous details concerning grain and drink offerings accompanying animal sacrifices, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, though divinely ordained, was a shadow of the perfect reality to come, as articulated in [Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow"). The "meat offering" (grain offering) symbolized the dedication of sustenance and life, while the "drink offering" represented joy and the pouring out of one's being. Christ, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the singular, all-sufficient sacrifice, fulfilling every requirement of the Law, including the need for a perfect life and a complete devotion. His body, broken for us, and His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins ([Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - The Blood of the Covenant")), encompass and transcend all the Old Testament offerings. He is both the perfect animal sacrifice and the ultimate "grain offering" (the Bread of Life, [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and "drink offering" (the source of living water, [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water")). Through His finished work on the cross, the meticulous demands of the Old Covenant are perfectly met, allowing believers to now offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and lives consecrated to God, based not on our imperfect efforts but on His perfect and complete offering once for all ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Single 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.