Numbers 29:2

Translation
King James Version
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:
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
And ye shall offer H6213 a burnt offering H5930 for a sweet H5207 savour H7381 unto the LORD H3068; one H259 young H1241 bullock H6499, one H259 ram H352, and seven H7651 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 without blemish H8549:
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
Prepare a burnt offering to make a fragrant aroma for ADONAI - one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs in their first year and without defect -
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,
Ask
American Standard Version
And ye shall offer a burnt-offering for a sweet savor unto Jehovah: one young bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish;
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
You shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to the LORD: one young bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect;
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
And ye shall make a burnt offering for a sweete sauour vnto the Lord: one yong bullocke, one ram, and seuen lambes of a yeere olde, without blemish.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
and ye have prepared a burnt-offering, for sweet fragrance to Jehovah: one bullock, a son of the herd, one ram, seven lambs, sons of a year, perfect ones;
Ask
See also
Hebrews 10:10Hebrews 10:14Numbers 28:27Numbers 29:8Numbers 29:36Numbers 28:19
In the KJVVerse 4,611 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Numbers 29:2 meticulously outlines the specific components of the burnt offering prescribed for the Feast of Trumpets, a significant annual observance in ancient Israel. This verse details the precise quantities and qualities—one young bullock, one ram, and seven unblemished lambs of the first year—mandated by God. These offerings were designated as a "sweet savour" to the LORD, signifying divine acceptance and pleasure in the Israelites' obedient worship and complete devotion, forming a vital part of their covenant relationship and communal atonement.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Numbers 29:2 is situated within a lengthy and highly detailed section of the book of Numbers (chapters 28-29) that provides comprehensive instructions for Israel's annual feasts and new moon observances. Specifically, this verse immediately follows the introduction of the Feast of Trumpets, which was to be celebrated on the first day of the seventh month as "a holy convocation" and "a day of blowing of trumpets" as described in Numbers 29:1. The preceding chapter, Numbers 28, sets the pattern by detailing the daily, weekly (Sabbath), and monthly (New Moon) offerings, establishing a foundational understanding of the sacrificial system before moving to the special requirements for the major annual festivals. This meticulous enumeration underscores the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of these commands, emphasizing precision and obedience in Israelite worship, ensuring that every aspect of their communal life was ordered by God's decree.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The instructions in Numbers 29:2 were given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, prior to their entry into the Promised Land. These laws were foundational for establishing the religious and social order of the nascent nation, ensuring that worship practices were uniform and divinely sanctioned. The sacrificial system was central to Israelite life, serving as the primary means of approaching a holy God, seeking atonement for sin, expressing gratitude, and affirming covenant loyalty. The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah in later tradition) marked the beginning of the civil new year and initiated a period of introspection leading up to the solemn Day of Atonement, as detailed in Leviticus 23:27. The specific animals—bullock, ram, and lambs—were common sacrificial animals in the ancient Near East, but their precise quantities and the requirement for them to be "without blemish" were unique divine stipulations for Israel, setting their worship apart from surrounding pagan practices that often involved imperfect or defiled offerings.
  • Key Themes: Numbers 29:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. The theme of Divine Prescription and Obedience is paramount, as God's detailed instructions for the offerings highlight His sovereignty and the necessity for Israel to worship according to His revealed will, not their own inclinations. This is a recurring motif seen from the meticulous tabernacle construction instructions in Exodus 25 through Exodus 31 to the priestly vestments and daily rituals. The requirement for animals to be "without blemish," as also stipulated in Leviticus 1:3, emphasizes Holiness and Purity, reflecting the absolute purity of God and the need for a spotless offering to bridge the gap between a sinful people and a holy God. Furthermore, the "burnt offering" itself underscores Total Devotion and Atonement, as it was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication to the LORD, while also serving as a means of expiation for sin, as seen in Leviticus 1:4.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Burnt Offering (Hebrew, ʻôlâh', H5930): This term (H5930) literally means "that which ascends" or "goes up," referring to the smoke of the sacrifice rising from the altar to God. Unlike other offerings where portions were returned to the worshiper or priests, the ‘ôlâh was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication, surrender, and devotion to God. It was a gift wholly given, signifying the worshiper's desire for full communion and atonement before the LORD. Its total consumption underscored the seriousness of sin and the comprehensive nature of the offering required for expiation, leaving nothing for human consumption.
  • Sweet Savour (Hebrew, nîychôwach', H5207): This word (H5207), often translated as "pleasing aroma" or "soothing aroma," appears frequently in the Old Testament sacrificial laws. It denotes divine acceptance and satisfaction with the offering presented. It is not an anthropomorphic description of God literally smelling an odor, but rather a theological statement that the sacrifice, offered in obedience and faith, was agreeable to God and achieved its intended purpose of reconciliation or devotion. It signifies God's favor and the efficacy of the offering in His sight, indicating that the worship was received with pleasure by the Almighty.
  • Without Blemish (Hebrew, tâmîym', H8549): This crucial requirement (H8549) for sacrificial animals means "whole," "perfect," "sound," or "blameless." It signified that the animal was free from any physical defects, disease, or imperfection that would render it unsuitable for sacrifice. Theologically, this emphasized the purity and perfection required for an offering to be acceptable to a holy God. It underscored the sanctity of the sacrificial act and foreshadowed the ultimate, perfect sacrifice that would one day be offered for humanity's sins, a sacrifice utterly pure and faultless.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD;": This clause establishes the primary purpose and nature of the offering commanded for the Feast of Trumpets. The imperative "ye shall offer" highlights the mandatory nature of this act of worship, underscoring divine authority. The "burnt offering" (‘ôlâh) signifies complete dedication and total surrender, while its designation "for a sweet savour unto the LORD" indicates that this act of obedience and devotion would be pleasing and acceptable to God, securing His favor and affirming the covenant relationship. It speaks to God's delight in His people's sincere and prescribed worship.
  • "one young bullock, one ram,": This specifies the larger, more substantial animals required for the burnt offering on the Feast of Trumpets. The bullock (H6499, par, a young ox) and ram (H352, 'ayil, a strong male sheep) were significant and costly sacrifices, indicating the importance and solemnity of this particular feast. The precise enumeration of "one" of each underscores the divine precision expected in worship and the non-negotiable nature of God's commands regarding His sacred rites.
  • "[and] seven lambs of the first year without blemish:": This further details the composition of the burnt offering, adding a significant number of lambs (H3532, kebes). The phrase "of the first year" (H1121, bên, son of; H8141, shâneh, year) denotes their youth, vitality, and prime condition, often considered ideal for sacrifice. The critical qualification "without blemish" (H8549, tâmîym) reiterates the absolute necessity of physical perfection and symbolic purity for any animal offered to God, ensuring its acceptability and reflecting the holiness of the divine recipient. The number "seven" (H7651, sheba‘) often symbolizes completeness or perfection in biblical numerology, further emphasizing the holistic nature of this offering.

Literary Devices

Numbers 29:2 employs several literary devices to convey its theological significance and reinforce its message. The most prominent is Repetition, particularly of the phrase "without blemish" (or its Hebrew equivalent, tâmîym), which is a pervasive requirement throughout the Mosaic Law for sacrificial animals. This repetition emphasizes the absolute standard of purity and perfection demanded by God for acceptable worship, reinforcing a central theme of holiness and the inherent flawlessness of God Himself. Symbolism is also heavily at play: the "burnt offering" symbolizes total dedication and atonement, as the entire sacrifice ascends to God; the "sweet savour" symbolizes divine acceptance and pleasure in obedient worship; and the "without blemish" animals symbolize the purity and perfection necessary for approaching a holy God. The precise Enumeration of animals (one bullock, one ram, seven lambs) serves to underscore the divine authority and meticulousness of the commands, leaving no room for human improvisation or deviation in sacred rites, thereby highlighting the importance of strict adherence to God's revealed will.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Numbers 29:2, with its detailed instructions for the burnt offering, connects deeply with the broader biblical themes of divine holiness, human sinfulness, and the necessity of atonement. The requirement for a "sweet savour" offering underscores God's desire for a relationship with His people, one characterized by obedience and wholehearted devotion. The unblemished nature of the animals points to the absolute perfection required for any offering that would bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, highlighting that true reconciliation can only come through a spotless sacrifice. This verse, therefore, is not merely a ritualistic instruction but a profound theological statement about the nature of God, the condition of humanity, and the divinely ordained path to reconciliation, foreshadowing a greater, perfect sacrifice to come.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the enduring principles embedded in Numbers 29:2 remain profoundly relevant for contemporary believers. The call to offer a "burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD" translates into a summons for wholehearted devotion and complete surrender in our lives today. Just as the ancient Israelites were commanded to bring their best—animals "without blemish"—we are similarly called to offer our lives as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), characterized by sincerity, purity of motive, and obedience to God's revealed will. Our worship, service, and daily conduct should be "without blemish" in the sense that they are offered from a pure heart, unmarred by hypocrisy or self-interest, seeking only to please God. This verse reminds us that true worship is not merely ritualistic but a profound expression of love and devotion that God finds pleasing and acceptable, inviting us to a life of consecrated living that brings Him delight.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of your life are you holding back from offering complete devotion to God, rather than a "burnt offering" of total surrender?
  • How does the concept of an offering "without blemish" challenge you to examine the sincerity and purity of your motives in worship and service?
  • What does it mean for your daily life to be a "sweet savour unto the LORD," and how can you cultivate such a life?
  • Considering the precision of God's commands in Numbers 29:2, how does this inform your understanding of obedience in your spiritual walk?

FAQ

What was the significance of the "burnt offering" being entirely consumed by fire?

Answer: The complete consumption of the burnt offering (‘ôlâh) by fire on the altar symbolized total dedication and surrender to God. Unlike other offerings where portions were returned to the worshiper or priests, the ‘ôlâh was wholly given to the LORD, signifying the worshiper's complete devotion, the total expiation of sin, and the desire for full communion with a holy God. It represented a gift entirely given, ascending to God as a pleasing aroma, as described in Leviticus 1:9. It underscored that nothing was held back from the divine recipient.

Why were the animals required to be "without blemish"?

Answer: The requirement for sacrificial animals to be "without blemish" (tâmîym) underscored the absolute holiness and perfection of God. An imperfect or flawed animal would be an insult to the divine recipient, as it would represent an offering of less than the best. This stipulation ensured that the offering was of the highest quality, symbolizing the purity and perfection necessary for approaching a holy God and for the offering to be acceptable for atonement. This principle is consistently seen throughout the Mosaic Law, such as in Leviticus 22:21, emphasizing that God deserves nothing less than perfection.

What does "sweet savour unto the LORD" mean in a practical sense?

Answer: "Sweet savour" (nîychôwach and rêyach) signifies that the offering was pleasing, acceptable, and agreeable to God. It's not about God literally smelling an aroma but about His divine approval and satisfaction with the act of worship performed in obedience and faith. It indicates that the offering achieved its intended purpose of reconciliation, devotion, or thanksgiving, and that God's favor rested upon the worshiper. This concept is also applied to Noah's post-flood sacrifice in Genesis 8:21, illustrating God's pleasure in sincere and obedient acts of worship.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Numbers 29:2, with its meticulous details of the burnt offering for a "sweet savour" and the requirement for "without blemish" animals, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the burnt offering, served as a shadow pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Jesus Himself is the embodiment of the "one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish" in one person—He is the flawless, spotless sacrifice, "a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). His crucifixion was the ultimate "burnt offering," a complete and total surrender to God's will, entirely consumed by the fire of divine judgment against sin. This perfect sacrifice was indeed "a sweet-smelling savour" to God (Ephesians 5:2), fully satisfying divine justice and perfectly accomplishing atonement for humanity's sins. Through Christ, believers now have direct access to God, not through animal sacrifices, but through faith in His finished work, offering themselves as "living sacrifices" in response to His perfect offering (Romans 12:1), knowing that in Him, our worship is truly a sweet aroma to the Lord.

Copy as

Commentary on Numbers 29 verses 1–11

There were more sacred solemnities in the seventh month than in any other month of the year, not only because it had been the first month till the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt (which, falling in the month Abib, occasioned that to be thenceforth made the beginning of the months in all ecclesiastical computations), but because still it continued the first month in the civil reckonings of the jubilees and years of release, and also because it was the time of vacation between harvest and seedtime, when they had most leisure to attend the sanctuary, which intimates that, though God will dispense with sacrifices in consideration of works of necessity and mercy, yet the more leisure we have from the pressing occasions of this life the more time we should spend in the immediate service of God. 1. We have here the appointment of the sacrifices that were to be offered on the first day of the month, the day of blowing the trumpets, which was a preparative for the two great solemnities of holy mourning on the day of atonement and of holy joy in the feast of tabernacles. The intention of divine institutions is well answered when one religious service helps to fit us for another and all for heaven. The blowing of the trumpets was appointed, Lev 23:24. Here the people are directed what sacrifices to offer on that day, of which there was not then any mention made. Note, Those who would know the mind of God in the scripture must compare one part of the scripture with another, and put those parts together that have reference to the same thing, for the latter discoveries of divine light explain what was dark and supply what was defective in the former, that the man of God may be perfect. The sacrifices then to be offered are particularly ordered here (Num 29:2-6), and care taken that these should not supersede the daily oblation and that of the new moon. It is hereby intimated that we must not seek occasions to abate our zeal in God's service, nor be glad of an excuse to omit a good duty, but rather rejoice in an opportunity of accumulating and doing more than ordinary in religion. If we perform family-worship, we must not think that this will excuse us from our secret devotions; nor that on the days we go to church we need not worship God alone and with our families; but we should always abound in the work of the Lord. 2. On the day of atonement. Besides all the services of that day, which we had the institution of, Lev. 16, and which, one would think, required trouble and charge enough, here are burnt-offerings ordered to be offered, Num 29:8-10. For in our faith and repentance, those two great gospel graces which were signified by that day's performances, we must have an eye to the glory and honour of God, which was purely intended in the burnt-offerings; there was likewise to be a kid of the goats for a sin-offering, besides the great sin-offering of atonement (Num 29:11), which intimates that there are so many defects and faults, even in the exercises and expressions of our repentance, that we have need of an interest in a sacrifice to expiate the guilt even of that part of our holy things. Though we must not repent that we have repented, yet we must repent that we have not repented better. It likewise intimated the imperfection of the legal sacrifices, and their insufficiency to take away sin, that on the very day the sin-offering of atonement was offered, yet there must be another sin-offering. But what the law could not do, in that it was weak, that Christ has done.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–11. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Numbers 29:2 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.