Numbers 29:20

KJV

And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish;

KJV (with Strong's)

And on the third {H7992} day {H3117} eleven {H6249}{H6240} bullocks {H6499}, two {H8147} rams {H352}, fourteen {H702}{H6240} lambs {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141} without blemish {H8549};

Complete Jewish Bible

"'On the third day eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs in their first year, without defect;

Berean Standard Bible

On the third day you are to present eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,

American Standard Version

And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old without blemish;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:20 provides precise divine instructions for the sacrificial offerings on the third day of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). It meticulously specifies the presentation of eleven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs, all explicitly designated as "of the first year without blemish," thereby continuing the divinely ordained pattern of precise, unblemished, and decreasing animal sacrifices during this significant pilgrimage festival, underscoring themes of divine order, holiness, and national thanksgiving.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:20 is embedded within a comprehensive liturgical calendar presented in [Numbers 28-29](/numbers/28 "Numbers 28-29 - Israel's Sacrificial Calendar"), which meticulously details the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices required of the Israelite community. This specific passage falls within the detailed instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), beginning at [Numbers 29:12](/numbers/29-12 "Numbers 29:12 - Offerings for the Feast of Tabernacles"). A distinctive feature of the Sukkot offerings is the unique pattern of bullock sacrifices, which commence with thirteen on the first day and progressively decrease by one each subsequent day until seven on the seventh day, as outlined in [Numbers 29:13-34](/numbers/29-13 "Numbers 29:13-34 - Offerings for Sukkot"). This verse, therefore, represents a precise, non-negotiable component of this highly ordered and symbolic sacrificial rhythm, contributing to the overall picture of Israel's divinely structured worship life.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals (alongside Passover and Pentecost) that mandated the presence of all Israelite males before the Lord in Jerusalem. This festival held dual significance: it served as a poignant commemoration of God's steadfast provision and protection during the forty years of wilderness wanderings, when Israel resided in temporary shelters (sukkot), and simultaneously celebrated the joyous culmination of the agricultural year's final harvest. The lavishness of the prescribed offerings, particularly the substantial numbers of bullocks, rams, and lambs, vividly reflected the nation's profound gratitude for God's abundant blessings. These sacrifices functioned as a comprehensive national act of atonement, thanksgiving, and communal worship. The universal requirement for animals to be "without blemish" was a foundational standard for all sacrifices, emphasizing the purity, perfection, and wholeness demanded when approaching a holy God, a concept deeply ingrained in Israelite cultic practice from the earliest instructions given in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Burnt Offerings").

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the Pentateuch and specifically within the Book of Numbers. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Precision and Order**, demonstrating God's meticulousness in establishing the intricate details of worship. The exact numbers and specific types of animals prescribed emphasize that worship was not left to human discretion but was divinely ordained, demanding strict adherence to His revealed will. Secondly, the repeated phrase "without blemish" highlights the paramount theme of **Holiness and Perfection in Worship**. Only perfect offerings could be presented to a holy God, symbolizing the purity, integrity, and wholeness required for communion with Him and profoundly foreshadowing a future, ultimate, and perfect sacrifice. Thirdly, the sheer volume of animals offered during Sukkot points to the theme of **Abundance and Generosity**, reflecting both God's lavish provision for His people and the people's grateful, generous response in worship. This communal act of giving was a profound expression of national devotion and a collective plea for continued divine favor, a concept echoed throughout the broader sacrificial system outlined in [Numbers 28-29](/numbers/28 "Numbers 28-29 - Feasts and Offerings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Third (Hebrew, _shᵉlîyshîy'_):** From H7992, an ordinal number meaning "third." This word precisely situates the offerings within the sequential progression of the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing the day-by-day structure of the festival's unique sacrificial rhythm. It highlights the divine order and the meticulous adherence required for each specific day's liturgical duties, reinforcing the idea that God's worship is not arbitrary but precisely scheduled.
* **Bullocks (Hebrew, _par'_):** From H6499, referring to a young bull or ox, often associated with breaking forth in wild strength or dividing the hoof. In the context of sacrifice, bullocks were among the most valuable and substantial offerings, signifying significant cost and importance. Their prominent and decreasing inclusion throughout Sukkot suggests a unique theological or symbolic purpose, perhaps representing a comprehensive national offering or even, as later rabbinic tradition suggests, a symbolic atonement for the seventy nations of the world.
* **Without blemish (Hebrew, _tâmîym'_):** From H8549, meaning "entire," "complete," "whole," "sound," "perfect," or "blameless." When applied to sacrificial animals, this crucial term denotes physical integrity and absolute freedom from any defect, disease, or imperfection. This requirement was not merely aesthetic but profoundly theological, signifying that only the best, purest, and most unblemished could be offered to a holy God. It underscored the absolute standard of holiness and purity demanded in divine worship, setting a foundational precedent for the quality of all offerings presented to Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And on the third day":** This introductory phrase precisely anchors the prescribed offerings within the specific timeline of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. It underscores the meticulous, day-by-day divine prescription for worship, emphasizing God's desire for ordered and timely obedience in the Israelite liturgical calendar. Each day of the festival had its own distinct and non-negotiable set of sacrifices, highlighting the precision of God's instructions.
* **"eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs":** This clause enumerates the exact quantity and type of animals required for the burnt offering on this particular day. The decreasing number of bullocks (from thirteen on day one, to twelve on day two, and now eleven on day three) is a distinctive and symbolic feature of the Sukkot offerings, setting them apart from other annual festivals. The consistent number of rams and lambs, however, provides a stable, foundational element to the daily offering, indicating a consistent core of the sacrifice.
* **"of the first year without blemish;":** This final, crucial clause specifies the essential quality of the lambs and, by theological implication from the broader context of [Numbers 28-29](/numbers/28 "Numbers 28-29 - Feasts and Offerings") and [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Burnt Offerings"), applies to all the animals listed for sacrifice. The lambs must be young and vigorous ("of the first year"), representing freshness and prime condition, and all animals must be physically perfect and unblemished. This requirement underscores the sanctity of the offering and the absolute holiness of God, who demands nothing less than perfection from that which is consecrated to Him, foreshadowing a perfect future sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices to convey its message and reinforce its theological implications. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly the recurring phrase "without blemish" (or similar expressions like "without spot") found throughout [Numbers 28-29](/numbers/28 "Numbers 28-29 - Feasts and Offerings") and indeed the entire Pentateuch. This consistent reiteration serves to engrain the paramount importance of physical and symbolic perfection in sacrificial animals, emphasizing the standard of purity in the minds of the Israelites. **Numerical Structure** is also a key device, most notably seen in the unique, decreasing count of bullocks over the seven days of Sukkot. This deliberate numerical progression, from thirteen down to seven, is not arbitrary but points to a carefully designed liturgical pattern, possibly symbolizing a comprehensive or diminishing national offering, or even a theological connection to the seventy nations of the world. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is inherent in the animals themselves and their prescribed qualities. The bullocks, rams, and lambs symbolize various aspects of sacrifice, atonement, and thanksgiving, while the "without blemish" requirement profoundly symbolizes the absolute holiness of God and the necessary purity required for those who approach Him in worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:20, with its precise instructions for the third day of the Feast of Tabernacles, profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of meticulous order, absolute holiness, and abundant provision. The intricate detail in the sacrificial system reveals that worship is not a casual affair but a sacred encounter demanding intentionality, reverence, and strict adherence to divine standards. The consistent requirement for offerings "without blemish" underscores the absolute purity of God and the necessity for those who approach Him to do so with integrity and the highest quality of offering. This principle extends beyond mere physical sacrifices, teaching Israel that their entire lives were to be an offering of holiness and obedience. The sheer volume of offerings during Sukkot also highlights the themes of national gratitude for God's bountiful harvest blessings and His faithful provision during their wilderness journey, fostering a communal spirit of thanksgiving, dependence, and corporate devotion.

* [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Requirement for Unblemished Offerings")
* [Deuteronomy 17:1](/deuteronomy/17-1 "Prohibition of Blemished Sacrifices")
* [1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "Christ, the Unblemished Lamb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 29:20, while detailing ancient sacrificial rites, offers timeless and profound principles for contemporary believers. The divine demand for "without blemish" offerings challenges us to deeply consider the quality and sincerity of our worship today. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the spiritual essence remains: God desires our very best – our purest motives, our most dedicated time, our most fervent prayers, our most generous resources, and our wholehearted obedience. This verse calls us to move beyond superficial engagement and to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our true and proper worship ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). It serves as a profound reminder of the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blemish-free life and death perfectly fulfilled all these Old Testament requirements, making our access to God possible not through our own imperfect efforts, but solely through His perfect and complete work on the cross. This truth should inspire a worship rooted in deep gratitude, profound reverence, and an unwavering commitment to live a life that honors and pleases Him in every aspect.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to offer God less than your "first year without blemish" best, and how can you cultivate a spirit of wholehearted offering?**
* **How does the precision and meticulousness of God's commands in Numbers 29:20 inform your understanding of spiritual discipline and the importance of obedience in your walk with Christ today?**
* **Considering the abundance of offerings during Sukkot as an expression of gratitude, how can you cultivate a more generous and grateful spirit in your worship, giving, and daily life as a response to God's lavish provision?**

### FAQ
**Why are the bullock offerings decreasing each day during the Feast of Tabernacles?**

Answer: The decreasing number of bullocks (from thirteen on day one to seven on day seven, totaling 70 over the festival) is a unique and distinctive feature of the Feast of Tabernacles offerings, not observed in other annual festivals. While the Bible does not explicitly state the precise reason for this pattern, various theological interpretations have been proposed throughout Jewish tradition. One prominent rabbinic tradition suggests that the 70 bullocks correspond to the 70 nations of the world listed in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"), symbolizing Israel's unique role in offering atonement and prayer for all humanity. The decreasing number could represent a progressive offering, a drawing near to God, or a unique liturgical rhythm designed specifically for this particular harvest and wilderness commemoration festival. It profoundly highlights the distinctiveness, symbolic richness, and universal scope of Sukkot within the broader Israelite liturgical calendar.

**What is the theological significance of the phrase "without blemish" for sacrificial animals?**

Answer: The phrase "without blemish" (Hebrew: *tamim*) is absolutely central to the theology of Old Testament sacrifices and carries profound theological significance. It signifies physical perfection, wholeness, completeness, and purity. Theologically, its consistent application underscores several key principles:
1. **God's Holiness:** It fundamentally reflects the absolute holiness and perfection of God. Only perfect offerings could be presented to a holy God, demanding a corresponding standard of purity and integrity from His worshippers and their offerings.
2. **Symbol of Purity:** The unblemished animal served as a powerful symbol of the purity and blamelessness required of the worshipper, or the inherent purity of the atonement itself. It represented the ideal, untainted offering.
3. **Ultimate Foreshadowing:** Most significantly for Christian theology, it served as a profound foreshadowing of the perfect, sinless, and morally pure sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is explicitly identified as the "Lamb without blemish and without spot" ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ, the Unblemished Lamb")), embodying the ultimate fulfillment of this Old Testament requirement.

**Why were so many animals required for sacrifice during the Feast of Tabernacles?**

Answer: The sheer volume of sacrifices during the Feast of Tabernacles (a total of 70 bullocks, 14 rams, and 77 lambs over seven days, in addition to daily communal offerings) reflects the festival's profound national and spiritual significance. Sukkot was a time of immense national thanksgiving for the year's bountiful harvest and a solemn commemoration of God's faithful provision and protection during Israel's forty years of wilderness wanderings. The abundance of offerings expressed Israel's overflowing gratitude for God's blessings and served as a comprehensive national act of atonement, worship, and devotion. It was a communal demonstration of their absolute dependence on God, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of all provision and the faithful sustainer of their lives, a lavish outpouring of worship befitting a bountiful harvest and a faithful, covenant-keeping God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:20, with its meticulous demand for "unblemished" sacrifices and the sheer volume of offerings prescribed for the Feast of Tabernacles, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The consistent Old Testament requirement for animals "of the first year without blemish" served as a powerful, divinely ordained foreshadowing of the perfect, spotless Lamb of God. Unlike the countless, repeated animal sacrifices that could never truly take away sin or perfect the worshipper, Christ offered Himself "through the eternal Spirit, without blemish to God" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). His singular, perfect sacrifice superseded, completed, and rendered obsolete all the Old Covenant rituals, providing a final and complete atonement for sin, as powerfully declared in [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Singular Sacrifice"). The abundance of offerings during Sukkot, while signifying Israel's gratitude and national atonement, pales in comparison to the boundless and sufficient grace poured out through Christ's one-time offering. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making it possible for all who believe to approach a holy God, not through the imperfect blood of bulls and goats, but through His precious, perfect blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Precious 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.