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 meticulously details the specific animal offerings required on the third day of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). It specifies the presentation of eleven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs, all explicitly designated as "of the first year without blemish," continuing the divine instructions for precise and unblemished sacrifices during this significant pilgrimage festival.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:20 is situated within a larger section of the Book of Numbers (chapters 28-29) that functions as a comprehensive divine liturgical calendar. This section meticulously outlines the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices required of the Israelite community. Specifically, Numbers 29 details the offerings for the seven annual feasts, with a significant portion dedicated to the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), beginning at [Numbers 29:12](/numbers/29-12 "Numbers 29:12 - Offerings for the Feast of Tabernacles"). The unique pattern of the bullock offerings during Sukkot—starting with thirteen on the first day and progressively decreasing by one each subsequent day until seven on the seventh day (as seen in [Numbers 29:13-34](/numbers/29-13 "Numbers 29:13-34 - Offerings for Sukkot"))—underscores the highly ordered and symbolic nature of Israelite worship. This verse, therefore, is a precise instruction for the third day's contribution to this unique sacrificial rhythm.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, was one of the three great pilgrimage festivals (along with Passover and Pentecost) that required all Israelite males to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. It was a dual-purpose festival: commemorating God's faithful provision and protection during the forty years of wilderness wanderings, when Israel dwelt in temporary shelters (sukkot), and celebrating the final harvest of the agricultural year. The lavishness of the offerings, particularly the large number of bullocks, rams, and lambs, reflected the nation's gratitude for God's abundant blessings and served as a national act of atonement and thanksgiving. The requirement for animals "without blemish" was a universal standard for all sacrifices, emphasizing the purity and perfection demanded when approaching a holy God, a concept deeply ingrained in Israelite cultic practice from the earliest instructions in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Burnt Offerings").

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within the Pentateuch and the Book of Numbers. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Precision and Order**, demonstrating God's meticulousness in establishing the details of worship. The exact numbers and types of animals underscore that worship was not left to human discretion but was divinely ordained, requiring strict adherence. Secondly, the repeated phrase "without blemish" emphasizes the theme of **Holiness and Perfection in Worship**. Only perfect offerings could be presented to a holy God, symbolizing the purity required for communion with Him and 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 an expression of national devotion and a plea for continued divine favor, a concept echoed in the broader sacrificial system found in [Numbers 28-29](/numbers/28 "Numbers 28-29 - Feasts and Offerings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bullocks (Hebrew, _parim'_):** These were young cattle, typically male, used for burnt offerings. The term often signifies strength and value, making them a significant and costly sacrifice. Their prominent inclusion, especially the decreasing number throughout Sukkot, suggests a unique theological or symbolic purpose specific to this festival, perhaps related to a comprehensive national offering or even symbolic of the seventy nations of the world (based on later rabbinic interpretation).
* **Without blemish (Hebrew, תָּמִים, _tamim'_):** This crucial term means "complete," "whole," "sound," "perfect," or "blameless." When applied to sacrificial animals, it denotes physical integrity and freedom from any defect, disease, or imperfection. This requirement was not merely aesthetic but deeply theological, signifying that only the best and purest could be offered to a holy God. It underscored the absolute standard of holiness and purity demanded in divine worship, setting a precedent for the quality of all offerings.
* **First year (Hebrew, בֶּן־שָׁנָה, _ben-shanah'_):** This phrase literally means "son of a year," indicating that the lambs were young, typically less than one year old. This age requirement ensured that the animals were in their prime, representing vigor, purity, and the freshness of life. It also implied that they had not yet been used for labor or breeding, thus preserving their "innocence" and suitability for sacred dedication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And on the third day":** This phrase precisely situates the offerings within the seven-day duration of the Feast of Tabernacles. It highlights 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 had its specific, non-negotiable set of sacrifices.
* **"eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs":** This 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 feature of the Sukkot offerings, setting them apart from other festivals. The consistent number of rams and lambs, however, provides a stable base for the daily offering, indicating a foundational element of the sacrifice.
* **"of the first year without blemish;":** This final clause specifies the essential quality of the lambs and, by implication from the broader context of Numbers 28-29, applies to all the animals listed. The lambs must be young and vigorous ("of the first year"), 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.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly the recurring phrase "without blemish" (or similar expressions) throughout Numbers 28-29, emphasizing the paramount importance of perfection in sacrificial animals. This consistent reiteration serves to engrain 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 is not arbitrary but points to a carefully designed liturgical pattern, possibly symbolizing a comprehensive or diminishing national offering. 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 need for purity in approaching Him.

### 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 order, holiness, and abundant provision. The meticulous detail in the sacrificial system reveals that worship is not a casual affair but a sacred encounter demanding intentionality and 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 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 harvest blessings and His faithful provision during their wilderness journey, fostering a communal spirit of thanksgiving and dependence.

* [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 principles for contemporary believers. The divine demand for "without blemish" offerings challenges us to consider the quality of our worship today. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the essence remains: God desires our best – our purest motives, our most dedicated time, our most fervent prayers, and our most generous resources. This verse calls us to move beyond superficial engagement and to offer ourselves wholeheartedly, recognizing that true worship is a response to God's perfect character and His lavish provision in our lives. It also serves as a profound reminder of the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blemish-free life and death fulfilled all these Old Testament requirements, making our access to God possible not through our own imperfect efforts, but through His perfect work. This should inspire a worship rooted in gratitude, reverence, and a deep commitment to live a life pleasing to Him.

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

### 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) is a unique feature of the Feast of Tabernacles offerings, not seen in other festivals. While the Bible does not explicitly state the reason, various theological interpretations exist. 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 role in offering atonement for all humanity. The decreasing number could represent a progressive offering, a drawing near to God, or a unique liturgical rhythm for this particular harvest festival. It highlights the distinctiveness and symbolic richness of Sukkot within the Israelite calendar.

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

Answer: The phrase "without blemish" (Hebrew: *tamim*) is central to the theology of Old Testament sacrifices. It signifies physical perfection, wholeness, and purity. Theologically, it underscores several key principles:
1. **God's Holiness:** Only perfect offerings could be presented to a holy God, reflecting His absolute purity and demanding a corresponding standard from His worshippers.
2. **Symbol of Purity:** The unblemished animal symbolized the purity and blamelessness required of the worshipper, or the purity of the atonement itself.
3. **Ultimate Foreshadowing:** Most significantly, it foreshadowed the perfect, sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was the "Lamb without blemish and without spot" ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ, the Unblemished Lamb")). The Old Testament sacrifices, though temporary, pointed to this ultimate, perfect offering.

**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, plus daily offerings) reflects the festival's profound significance. It was a time of immense national thanksgiving for the harvest and commemoration of God's provision in the wilderness. The abundance of offerings expressed Israel's overflowing gratitude for God's blessings and served as a comprehensive national act of atonement and worship. It was a communal demonstration of devotion, acknowledging God as the source of all provision and the sustainer of their lives, a lavish outpouring of worship befitting a bountiful harvest and a faithful God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:20, with its meticulous demand for "unblemished" sacrifices and the sheer volume of offerings, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The requirement for animals "of the first year without blemish" served as a powerful foreshadowing of the perfect, spotless Lamb of God. Unlike the countless, repeated animal sacrifices that could never truly take away sin, 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 and completed all the Old Covenant rituals, providing a final and complete atonement for sin, as 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 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.