Numbers 29:22

KJV

And one goat [for] a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

And one {H259} goat {H8163} for a sin offering {H2403}; beside the continual {H8548} burnt offering {H5930}, and his meat offering {H4503}, and his drink offering {H5262}.

Complete Jewish Bible

also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings.

Berean Standard Bible

Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

American Standard Version

and one he-goat for a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, and the meal-offering thereof, and the drink-offering thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:22 specifies a crucial element of the seventh day's sacrificial liturgy during the Feast of Tabernacles, mandating "one goat for a sin offering" in addition to the daily "continual burnt offering" and its accompanying grain and drink offerings. This precise instruction underscores the perpetual need for atonement and ritual purification, even amidst the joyous celebrations of God's provision and faithfulness, highlighting the foundational role of cleansing within Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:22 is situated within a highly detailed liturgical calendar found in Numbers chapters 28 and 29, which meticulously outlines the specific sacrifices required for various annual feasts and new moons. This particular verse pertains to the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a seven-day festival followed by an eighth-day solemn assembly. The preceding verses (Numbers 29:1-21) detail the offerings for the first six days of Sukkot, showing a distinctive pattern: a decreasing number of bullocks offered daily, but a consistent requirement for "one goat for a sin offering" and the daily "continual burnt offering" with its associated grain and drink offerings. This meticulous repetition and variation emphasize the divine precision expected in worship and the foundational nature of atonement within all communal and festive observances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in ancient Israel, celebrated in the autumn after the harvest. Its primary purposes were twofold: to commemorate God's miraculous provision and protection during the forty years of wilderness wanderings, where Israel dwelt in temporary shelters (booths or tabernacles), and to give thanks for the year's harvest. The practice of dwelling in temporary shelters (Leviticus 23:42-43) during this week served as a tangible reminder of their nomadic past and God's faithfulness. The sacrificial system, of which the sin offering was a vital part, was central to Israelite worship, providing a divinely ordained means for addressing sin and maintaining ritual purity, thereby enabling the community to dwell in the presence of a holy God. The offerings described in Numbers 29, including the sin offering, were performed at the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, by the Levitical priests, reinforcing the structured and divinely appointed nature of Israel's worship.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 29:22 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the **Atonement and Purity** that were indispensable for the covenant community. The "sin offering" (Hebrew: _chaṭṭaʾt_) was not just for moral transgressions but also for ritual defilement, ensuring the people remained clean enough to approach God. Its daily inclusion, even during a joyful harvest festival, underscored the constant need for purification and forgiveness, a truth deeply rooted in the laws found in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws of the Sin Offering"). Secondly, the mention of the "continual burnt offering" and its accompaniments reinforces the theme of **Continual Worship and Dependence**. This daily offering, detailed in [Numbers 28:3](/numbers/28-3 "Numbers 28:3 - The Continual Burnt Offering"), signified Israel's ongoing devotion and reliance on God's sovereignty and provision, serving as the bedrock upon which all special feast offerings were built. Finally, the meticulous detail of the instructions in [Numbers 29](/numbers/29 "Numbers 29 - Offerings for Feasts") exemplifies God's **Meticulous Law and Holiness**. Every specification, from the type and quantity of animals to the accompanying offerings, reflected God's holy character and His desire for an ordered, intentional, and pure relationship with His people, teaching Israel the profound importance of obedience and reverence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Goat (Hebrew, _ʿēz_):** In the Old Testament sacrificial system, goats were frequently used for sin offerings, particularly for the community or leaders, as seen in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws of the Sin Offering"). The selection of a goat for the sin offering on each day of the Feast of Tabernacles underscores its specific role in purification and atonement for unintentional sins or ceremonial defilements, distinct from other offerings like burnt offerings which symbolized dedication.
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, חַטָּאת, _chaṭṭaʾt_):** While _chaṭṭaʾt_ can refer to "sin" itself, in the context of offerings, it specifically denotes the sacrifice made for purification from sin, particularly unintentional sins or ritual impurities that would prevent one from being in God's holy presence. This offering was crucial for maintaining the holiness of the Tabernacle/Temple and the purity of the community, allowing fellowship with a holy God.
* **Meat Offering (Hebrew, מִנְחָה, _minḥâ_):** This term, often translated as "grain offering" or "meal offering," typically consisted of flour, oil, and frankincense. It was a non-blood offering, often accompanying burnt offerings and peace offerings, symbolizing tribute, gratitude, or dedication. Unlike the sin offering, it was not primarily for atonement but for acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one goat [for] a sin offering;":** This clause highlights the specific requirement for a sin offering on the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The consistent inclusion of this offering throughout the feast, despite the joyous nature of the celebration, emphasizes the perpetual reality of human sinfulness—even unintentional sins—and the ongoing need for divine provision for purification and atonement to maintain a right relationship with a holy God. It underscores that even in times of thanksgiving and joy, the need for spiritual cleansing remains paramount.
* **"beside the continual burnt offering,":** This phrase indicates that the special offerings for the feast, including the sin offering, were not replacements for, but additions to, the daily "continual burnt offering." This daily sacrifice, offered morning and evening, symbolized Israel's unbroken dedication and constant dependence on God. Its mention here signifies the foundational and non-negotiable nature of daily worship and acknowledgement of God's sovereignty, upon which all other communal and festive observances were built.
* **"and his meat offering, and his drink offering.":** These elements were standard accompaniments to the burnt offering, completing the daily sacrificial ritual. The "meat offering" (grain offering) represented a tribute of the produce of the land, acknowledging God as the provider, while the "drink offering" (libation of wine) was an act of worship and devotion poured out before the Lord. Their inclusion here confirms that the full complement of daily sacrifices was maintained alongside the special feast offerings, reinforcing the completeness and regularity of Israel's worship.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Liturgical Language**, characteristic of the priestly codes within the Pentateuch, providing precise and prescriptive instructions for worship. This detailed, formulaic language ensures clarity and uniformity in ritual practice, reflecting the divine order and holiness expected in approaching God. Furthermore, **Repetition** is a prominent device, particularly the recurring phrase "one goat for a sin offering" (with slight variations) across the daily instructions of the Feast of Tabernacles in Numbers 29. This repetition underscores the consistent and non-negotiable nature of atonement and purification within Israel's worship life, emphasizing its foundational importance regardless of the specific day or other offerings. Finally, **Symbolism** is inherent in each offering: the goat symbolizes the means of purification, the burnt offering symbolizes total dedication, the grain offering symbolizes gratitude and sustenance, and the drink offering symbolizes devotion. Together, these elements paint a rich picture of a covenant people's relationship with their holy God, mediated through divinely appointed rituals.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:22, with its emphasis on the sin offering alongside other daily sacrifices, serves as a profound theological pointer within the Old Testament sacrificial system. It highlights the pervasive nature of sin and defilement, even unintentional, and the constant need for divine provision for purification to maintain fellowship with a holy God. The temporary and repetitive nature of these animal sacrifices—requiring daily and yearly re-enactment—underscored their inherent inadequacy to perfectly and permanently remove sin. They were shadows, types, and pedagogical tools designed to teach Israel about the gravity of sin, the holiness of God, and the necessity of atonement, all while anticipating a future, ultimate sacrifice that would truly and eternally cleanse. This verse, therefore, is not merely a historical record of ancient rituals but a theological beacon, illuminating the persistent human condition and God's gracious, though provisional, response, which ultimately finds its perfect fulfillment in Christ.

* [Leviticus 4:1-35](/leviticus/4-1 "Leviticus 4:1-35 - Laws of the Sin Offering") - Details the procedures for various sin offerings for unintentional sins.
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice") - Contrasts the temporary nature of Old Covenant sacrifices with Christ's eternal redemption.
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow") - Explains how the Law's sacrifices could never truly take away sins, serving as a shadow of the good things to come.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 29:22, though rooted in ancient Israelite ritual, offers timeless truths for believers today. The consistent requirement for a sin offering, even during a joyous celebration like the Feast of Tabernacles, serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing reality of human imperfection and the pervasive nature of sin, both intentional and unintentional. It teaches us that even in our moments of greatest joy, gratitude, or spiritual fervor, we remain dependent on God's grace for forgiveness and purification. This verse also underscores the importance of a "continual" rhythm of worship and dependence in our lives, not just during special events but as a daily posture of the heart that acknowledges God's sovereignty and provision. For New Covenant believers, this commitment is expressed not through animal sacrifices, but through a life of repentance, faith, and obedience, lived in light of Christ's finished work. Ultimately, this passage directs our gaze to the profound sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice, which has perfectly and eternally addressed the need for atonement that these Old Testament rituals could only temporarily cover. We are called to live in the freedom and confidence that His sacrifice provides, allowing us to approach God with a clean conscience and a heart of gratitude.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the inclusion of a sin offering, even during a joyful feast, speak to the ongoing reality of human sin and the need for divine grace in our lives?**
* **In what ways can we, as New Covenant believers, cultivate a "continual burnt offering" of worship and dependence in our daily lives, reflecting our gratitude and reliance on God?**
* **How does understanding the temporary nature of Old Testament sacrifices deepen our appreciation for the complete and final work of Christ, and how should this understanding shape our approach to God?**

### FAQ

**Why was a sin offering required every day, even during a joyous feast like Tabernacles?**

Answer: The daily requirement for a sin offering during the Feast of Tabernacles, as seen in Numbers 29, underscored several crucial theological points. Firstly, it emphasized the pervasive nature of human sinfulness, both intentional and unintentional. Even in moments of communal celebration and thanksgiving, the people of Israel were still prone to sin and ritual impurity. The sin offering provided a divinely ordained means for ritual purification, ensuring that the community remained clean enough to dwell in the presence of a holy God and that their worship was acceptable. Secondly, it served as a constant reminder that access to God was always predicated on atonement. No matter how joyous or significant the occasion, the underlying need for cleansing from sin was ever-present. This daily offering also foreshadowed the ongoing need for grace and forgiveness, ultimately pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who continually intercedes for us and whose blood cleanses us from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:22, with its specific mention of "one goat for a sin offering" alongside the daily rituals, serves as a powerful Old Testament shadow pointing directly to the ultimate reality found in Jesus Christ. The repetitive nature of these animal sacrifices—daily, yearly, for various sins—underscored their inherent inadequacy to truly take away sin or perfect the worshiper ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow")). They were temporary provisions, designed by God to teach His people about the gravity of sin, the necessity of atonement, and His holiness, all while building anticipation for the perfect sacrifice to come. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of every sin offering; He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Unlike the goats and bulls whose blood merely covered sins, Christ's precious blood actually cleanses and purifies us from all unrighteousness, once and for all ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). His single, perfect sacrifice on the cross has forever accomplished what countless animal offerings could not: He has provided eternal redemption and perfect access to God ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). Thus, Numbers 29:22, far from being an obsolete ritual, becomes a profound testament to the necessity and efficacy of Christ's atoning work, inviting us to live in the freedom and confidence of His finished work.

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.