What number verse is Numbers 29:22 in the Bible?

Numbers 29:22 is the 4,631st verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Numbers 29:22 sits at position 4,631.

Translation

King James Version

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

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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.

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Complete Jewish Bible

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

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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.

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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.

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World English Bible Messianic

and one male goat for a sin offering; besides the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, and its drink offering.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And an hee goat for a sinne offring, beside the continuall burnt offring, and his meate offring and his drinke offring.

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Young's Literal Translation

and one goat, a sin-offering; apart from the continual burnt-offering, and its present, and its libation.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Numbers 29:22 meticulously specifies the offering of "one goat for a sin offering" on the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a command given in addition to the regular daily sacrifices. This precise liturgical instruction highlights the perpetual need for atonement and ritual purification within Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, underscoring the foundational role of cleansing and forgiveness even amidst the joyous celebrations of God's provision and faithfulness.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Numbers 29:22 is embedded within a highly structured and detailed liturgical calendar presented in Numbers chapters 28 and 29. These chapters meticulously outline the specific sacrifices required for various annual feasts, new moons, and the daily "continual burnt offering" (tâmîyd). This particular verse pertains to the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a significant seven-day festival immediately followed by an eighth-day solemn assembly. The preceding verses (Numbers 29:1-21) detail the offerings for the first six days of Sukkot, establishing a distinctive pattern: a decreasing number of bullocks offered daily, yet a consistent requirement for "one goat for a sin offering" and the unwavering presence of the daily "continual burnt offering" with its associated grain and drink offerings. This meticulous repetition and variation serve to emphasize the divine precision expected in worship and underscore the foundational nature of atonement within all communal and festive observances, ensuring that even in celebration, the need for purification is not overlooked.
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 dual: 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 abundant harvest. The practice of dwelling in temporary shelters, as commanded in Leviticus 23:42-43, served as a tangible, annual reminder of their nomadic past and God's enduring faithfulness. The elaborate sacrificial system, of which the sin offering was a vital component, was central to Israelite worship, providing a divinely ordained means for addressing sin and maintaining ritual purity. This system enabled the community to dwell in the presence of a holy God, whose holiness demanded precise adherence to His prescribed rituals. 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, divinely appointed, and communal 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 theme of Atonement and Purity, which was indispensable for the covenant community. The "sin offering" (Hebrew: chaṭṭâʼâh) was crucial not only for moral transgressions but also for ritual defilement, ensuring the people remained clean enough to approach God. Its daily inclusion, even amidst a joyous harvest festival, underscored the constant need for purification and forgiveness, a truth deeply rooted in the laws found in Leviticus 4. 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, 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 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 in His presence.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

goat (Hebrew, sâʻîyr', H8163): This term, derived from a root meaning "shaggy," refers to a he-goat. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, goats were frequently designated for sin offerings, particularly for the community or its leaders, as detailed in Leviticus 4. The consistent 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, distinguishing it from other offerings like burnt offerings which primarily symbolized dedication.
sin offering (Hebrew, chaṭṭâʼâh', H2403): While chaṭṭâʼâh can broadly refer to "an offense" or "sinfulness," in the context of ritual sacrifices, it specifically denotes the sacrifice made for expiation or purification from sin. This offering was crucial for addressing both moral transgressions and ritual impurities that would otherwise prevent an individual or the community from being in God's holy presence. Its purpose was to maintain the holiness of the Tabernacle/Temple and the purity of the community, thereby enabling fellowship with a holy God.
continual (Hebrew, tâmîyd', H8548): Derived from a root meaning "to stretch," tâmîyd properly signifies "continuance" or "indefinite extension." As an adjective, it means "constant," and adverbially, "constantly." In the context of the sacrificial system, it elliptically refers to the "regular" or "daily" sacrifice. Its inclusion here emphasizes that the special feast offerings were in addition to the unbroken, perpetual rhythm of daily worship, signifying Israel's unwavering devotion and constant dependence on God's sovereignty and provision.

Verse Breakdown

"And one goat [for] a sin offering;": This clause specifies the requirement for a particular type of sacrifice—a sin offering—to be made 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. It underscores that even in times of thanksgiving and joy, the need for spiritual cleansing remains paramount to maintain a right relationship with a holy God.
"beside the continual burnt offering,": This phrase clarifies that the special offerings for the feast, including this sin offering, were not replacements for, but rather 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" (more accurately, grain offering or meal offering) represented a tribute of the produce of the land, acknowledging God as the provider and expressing gratitude. The "drink offering" (a 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, regularity, and holistic nature of Israel's worship.

Literary Devices

The passage employs Liturgical Language, which is a hallmark of the priestly codes within the Pentateuch. This language is characterized by its precise, prescriptive, and formulaic nature, providing meticulous instructions for worship. Such detailed articulation ensures clarity, uniformity, and order in ritual practice, reflecting the divine order and holiness expected in approaching God. Furthermore, Repetition is a prominent literary device, particularly evident in the recurring phrase "one goat for a sin offering" (with slight variations in quantity for other animals) across the daily instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles in Numbers 29. This repetition serves to underscore 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 and multi-layered 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 - Details the procedures for various sin offerings for unintentional sins, providing the theological framework for Numbers 29:22.
Hebrews 9:11-14 - Contrasts the temporary nature of Old Covenant animal sacrifices with Christ's eternal redemption through His own blood.
Hebrews 10:1-4 - Explains how the Law's sacrifices could never truly take away sins, serving as a shadow of the good things to come, which are realized in Christ.

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 utterly 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, continually offering ourselves as living sacrifices.

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 persistent 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's provision?
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 and our daily walk?

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 observed 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). It taught Israel that even their most joyful and righteous acts were still tainted by sin, necessitating God's gracious provision for purification.

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). 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. 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). 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). 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, continually drawing near to God through Him (Hebrews 10:19-22).

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Commentary on Numbers 29 verses 12–40

12 ¶ And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:

13 And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:

14 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth deals to each ram of the two rams,

15 And a several tenth deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs:

16 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.

17 And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:

18 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:

19 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering thereof, and their drink offerings.

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

21 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:

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

23 And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:

24 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:

25 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.

26 And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:

27 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:

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

29 And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:

30 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:

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

32 And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:

33 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:

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

35 On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein:

36 But ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish:

37 Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:

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

39 These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.

40 And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.

Soon after the day of atonement, that day in which men were to afflict their souls, followed the feast of tabernacles, in which they were to rejoice before the Lord; for those that sow in tears shall soon reap in joy. To the former laws about this feast, which we had, Lev 23:34, etc., here are added directions about the offerings by fire, which they were to offer unto the Lord during the seven days of that feast, Lev 23:36. Observe here, 1. Their days of rejoicing were to be days of sacrifices. A disposition to be cheerful does us no harm, nor is any bad symptom, when it is so far from unfitting us for the duties of God's immediate service that it encourages and enlarges our hearts in them. 2. All the days of their dwelling in booths they must offer sacrifices. While we are here in a tabernacle-state, it is our interest as well as duty constantly to keep up communion with God; nor will the unsettledness of our outward condition excuse us in our neglect of the duties of God's worship. 3. The sacrifices for each of the seven days, though differing in nothing but the number of the bullocks, are severally and particularly appointed, which yet is no vain repetition; for God would thus teach them to be very exact in those observances, and to keep an eye of faith fixed upon the institution in every day's work. It likewise intimates that the repetition of the same services, if performed with an upright heart, and with a continued fire of pious and devout affection, is no weariness to God, and therefore we ought not to snuff at it, or to say, Behold, what a weariness it is to us! 4. The number of bullocks (which were the most costly part of the sacrifice) decreased every day. On the first day of the feast they were to offer thirteen, on the second day but twelve, on the third day eleven, etc. So that on the seventh they offered seven; and the last day, though it was the great day of the feast, and celebrated with a holy convocation, yet they were to offer but one bullock; and, whereas on all the other days they offered two rams and fourteen lambs, on this they offered but one ram and seven lambs. Such was the will of the Law-maker, and that is reason enough for the law. Some suggest that God herein considered the infirmity of the flesh, which is apt to grudge the charge and expense of religion; it is therefore ordered to grow less and less, that they might not complain as if God had made them to serve with an offering, Isa 43:23. Or it is hereby intimated to them that the legal dispensation should wax old, and vanish away at last; and the multitude of their sacrifices should end in one great sacrifice, infinitely more worthy than all of them. It was on the last day of the feast, after all these sacrifices had been ordered, that our Lord Jesus stood and cried to those who still thirsted after righteousness (being sensible of the insufficiency of these sacrifices to justify them) to come unto him and drink, Joh 7:37. 5. The meat-offerings and drink-offerings attended all the sacrifices, according to their number, after the manner. Be there ever so much flesh, it is no feast without bread and drink, therefore these must never be omitted at God's altar, which was his table. We must not think that doing much in religion will be accepted if we do not do it well, and after the manner that God has appointed. 6. Every day there must be a sin-offering presented, as we observed in the other feasts. Our burnt-offerings of praise cannot be accepted of God unless we have an interest in the great sacrifice of propitiation which Christ offered when for us he made himself a sin-offering. 7. Even when all these sacrifices were offered, yet the continual burnt-offering must not be omitted either morning or evening, but each day this must be offered first in the morning and last in the evening. No extraordinary services should jostle out our stated devotions. 8. Though all these sacrifices were required to be presented by the body of the congregation, at the common charge, yet, besides these, particular persons were to glorify God with their vows and their free-will offerings, Num 29:39. When God commanded that this they must do, he left room for the generosity of their devotion, a great deal more they might do, not inventing other worships, but abounding in these, as Ch2 30:23, Ch2 30:24. Large directions had been given in Leviticus concerning the offerings of all sorts that should be brought by particular persons according to the providences of God concerning them and the graces of God in them. Though every Israelite had an interest in these common sacrifices, yet he must not think that these will serve instead of his vows and his free-will offerings. Thus our ministers' praying with us and for us will not excuse us from praying for ourselves.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–40. Public domain.

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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.

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Cross-References

Psalms 16:4
Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
Joel 2:14
Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Joel 1:13
Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.
Joel 1:9
The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.