What number verse is Numbers 29:23 in the Bible?

Numbers 29:23 is the 4,632nd verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Numbers 29:23 sits at position 4,632.

Translation

King James Version

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

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KJV (with Strong's)

And on the fourth ^H7243 day ^H3117 ten ^H6235 bullocks ^H6499, two ^H8147 rams ^H352, and fourteen ^{H702 H6240} lambs ^H3532 of the first ^H1121 year ^H8141 without blemish ^H8549:

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Complete Jewish Bible

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

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Berean Standard Bible

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

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American Standard Version

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

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World English Bible Messianic

“‘On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect;

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And the fourth day ye shall offer tenne bullocks, two rammes, and fourteene lambes of a yeere olde without blemish.

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Young's Literal Translation

`And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs, sons of a year, perfect ones;

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In the KJVVerse 4,632 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Numbers 29:23 provides a precise enumeration of the animal sacrifices prescribed for the fourth day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), an annual seven-day pilgrimage festival. This verse details the offering of "ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish," showcasing the unique, diminishing pattern of bullock offerings throughout the festival, while rams and lambs remained constant. This meticulous instruction underscores the divine demand for exact adherence in Israelite worship, highlighting the profound significance of these communal offerings in expressing national gratitude, seeking atonement, and maintaining covenant fellowship with God.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Numbers 29:23 is intricately woven into a larger legislative section (Numbers 29:1-40) that meticulously outlines the sacrificial offerings for Israel's annual feasts, with a particular focus on the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). This chapter builds upon the foundational instructions in Numbers 28, which established the rhythm of daily and monthly offerings. The immediate context, specifically Numbers 29:12-38, provides the day-by-day instructions for Sukkot, a festival uniquely characterized by a progressively decreasing number of bullocks offered each day—from thirteen on the first day (Numbers 29:13) to seven on the seventh day (Numbers 29:32). This deliberate, divinely ordained pattern, where rams and lambs remained constant, emphasizes both the abundance of offerings and the precise, ordered nature of Israel's worship. The consistent repetition of the phrase "without blemish" for all sacrificial animals throughout this section reinforces the unwavering standard of purity required for offerings presented to a holy God.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals (alongside Passover and Pentecost) that required all Israelite males to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16). Instituted in Leviticus 23:34-43, Sukkot served a dual, vital purpose: it commemorated God's faithful provision and protection during the forty years of wilderness wanderings, when the Israelites lived in temporary shelters or "tabernacles" (sukkot); and it celebrated the final ingathering of the harvest, marking the agricultural year's culmination. The act of dwelling in temporary booths for seven days (Leviticus 23:42) served as a tangible, annual reminder of their nomadic past and God's enduring presence and faithfulness. The extensive animal sacrifices, as meticulously detailed in Numbers 29, were central to this communal celebration, expressing national repentance, thanksgiving, and a fervent desire to maintain covenant fellowship with Yahweh. The sheer volume of offerings reflected the bounty of the harvest and the nation's profound gratitude for divine sustenance and blessing.
Key Themes: The detailed instructions in Numbers 29:23 and the broader chapter contribute significantly to several foundational themes within the Pentateuch and Israelite theology. First, Divine Specificity and Obedience are paramount; the exact enumeration of animals for each day's offering highlights God's demand for meticulous adherence in Israelite worship, signifying the seriousness and reverence required in approaching a holy God. This theme is consistently echoed throughout the laws of Moses, such as in the precise instructions for the Tabernacle's construction found in Exodus 25-31. Second, Atonement and Fellowship are central; these extensive communal offerings served as a means of seeking atonement for national sins and maintaining the covenant relationship with God. The daily sacrifices, like those described for the regular burnt offering in Numbers 28:3, reinforced the constant need for expiation and reconciliation. Third, the Perfection of Sacrifice is consistently emphasized by the recurring phrase "without blemish," applied to the lambs and implicitly to all sacrificial animals. This requirement symbolized the need for a perfect, unblemished offering, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is described as "a lamb without blemish and without spot" in 1 Peter 1:19. Finally, the theme of Abundance and Thanksgiving is powerfully evident in the large number of animals offered, reflecting the bounty of God's blessings during the harvest season and serving as a profound national expression of gratitude for His faithfulness and provision.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Day (Hebrew, yôwm', H3117): From an unused root meaning "to be hot," refers to a day, either literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next) or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term). In Numbers 29:23, "day" (specifically the "fourth day," H7243 rᵉbîyʻîy) precisely situates the offerings within the chronological progression of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing the divinely ordained sequence of the festival's liturgy.
First Year (Hebrew, bên_ _shâneh', H1121): This phrase, a combination of H1121 (bên, "son" or "of") and H8141 (shâneh, "year"), specifies the age of the lambs to be offered. It denotes young, vigorous, and unblemished animals, typically lambs less than one year old. This "first year" designation signifies a prime age for sacrifice, symbolizing purity, vitality, and the offering of the best and freshest of the flock. This detail, consistently specified for lambs in various sacrificial contexts, underscores the meticulousness of God's requirements for worship and the value placed on the offering.
Without Blemish (Hebrew, tâmîym', H8549): From תָּמַם (tâmam, "to be complete"), means "entire," "whole," "complete," "sound," "perfect," or "blameless." In the context of sacrificial animals, it denotes physical integrity, ensuring the animal is free from any defect, disease, or injury that would render it imperfect. This term was absolutely essential for any animal designated for sacrifice, signifying its fitness to be presented to a holy God. The requirement of tâmîym underscored the high standard God required for anything dedicated to Him, emphasizing purity, wholeness, and the offering of one's very best. Theologically, it powerfully prefigures the sinless perfection of Christ, the ultimate sacrifice.

Verse Breakdown

"And on the fourth day": This clause precisely situates the specified offerings within the seven-day duration of the Feast of Tabernacles. The daily progression of offerings, particularly the unique pattern of decreasing bullocks, is a defining characteristic of Sukkot, making the specific day a critical detail for understanding the overall sacrificial rhythm and theological emphasis of the festival.
"ten bullocks": This specifies the number of male cattle (bullocks) to be offered. Notably, the quantity of bullocks decreased daily during Sukkot, starting with thirteen on the first day and concluding with seven on the seventh. The ten bullocks on the fourth day represent a significant, yet diminishing, portion of the communal burnt offering, symbolizing the nation's collective atonement, thanksgiving, and perhaps a liturgical progression toward the culmination of the feast.
"two rams": This indicates the number of male sheep (rams) to be offered. Unlike the bullocks, the number of rams remained constant at two per day throughout all seven days of Sukkot, signifying a consistent and foundational element of the communal sacrifice, often associated with burnt offerings and expressions of devotion.
"and fourteen lambs of the first year": This specifies both the number (fourteen) and the age ("of the first year") of the lambs. The fourteen lambs (seven pairs) also remained constant daily throughout Sukkot. The "first year" designation highlights their youth, vitality, and purity, reinforcing the requirement for unblemished offerings. Lambs were a common and foundational sacrificial animal, frequently symbolizing innocence and purity, and were central to many Israelite rituals.
"without blemish": This crucial phrase, though explicitly stated for the lambs here, implicitly applies to all the animals designated for sacrifice in this context. It signifies the absolute requirement for physical perfection and purity in all offerings presented to God. This uncompromising standard ensured that only the best and most perfect animals were offered, reflecting the holiness of God and the seriousness, reverence, and integrity demanded in the act of worship and atonement.

Literary Devices

Numbers 29:23, consistent with the surrounding legislative passages, prominently employs Precision and Enumeration as primary literary devices. The meticulous listing of specific quantities ("ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs") for a particular, designated day ("fourth day") underscores the exactitude of divine command and the highly ordered nature of Israelite worship. This precise enumeration is not merely descriptive but profoundly prescriptive, emphasizing the non-negotiable requirements for approaching a holy God and the seriousness with which these rituals were to be observed. The Repetition of the phrase "without blemish" throughout Numbers 29 (and indeed, across the Pentateuch for sacrificial animals) functions as a powerful rhetorical device, reinforcing the critical and consistent importance of purity and perfection in all offerings. This repetition serves to embed the concept of an unblemished sacrifice deeply within the theological consciousness of the Israelites. Furthermore, the entire sequence of offerings for Sukkot, with its unique diminishing number of bullocks, can be seen as a form of Patterning or Structure, creating a rhythmic and memorable framework for the festival's distinctive sacrificial liturgy, which itself carries significant symbolic weight.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Numbers 29:23, with its detailed enumeration of sacrifices, serves as a powerful reminder of several profound theological truths. It underscores the absolute holiness of God, who demands perfection and precision in worship, and the gravity of human sin, which necessitated such extensive provisions for atonement. The sheer volume of offerings during Sukkot highlights the communal nature of sin and the collective need for God's grace and forgiveness, emphasizing that reconciliation with a holy God is costly and requires a divinely appointed means. These elaborate rituals were not ends in themselves but pedagogical tools, designed to impress upon Israel their utter dependence on God, the seriousness of their covenant obligations, and the constant need for propitiation. They pointed forward to a greater, more complete sacrifice that would truly deal with sin once and for all, a sacrifice that the Old Covenant offerings could only foreshadow.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While the literal animal sacrifices of the Old Testament are no longer required for believers today, Numbers 29:23 and the broader sacrificial system offer enduring principles for our worship and daily lives. The meticulousness demanded by God reminds us that our approach to Him should be marked by intentionality, reverence, and a desire for excellence, not casualness or complacency. We are called to offer God our very best—our time, talents, resources, and indeed, our very selves—as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1), not merely the leftovers. The concept of "without blemish" challenges us to pursue holiness and integrity in our character and actions, striving to present ourselves as pure and devoted to God, reflecting His character in our lives. Furthermore, these ancient laws powerfully highlight the immense cost of sin and the boundless grace of God, who provided a means of atonement. Our profound gratitude for Christ's perfect sacrifice should motivate us to live lives of humble obedience and joyful thanksgiving, recognizing that our access to God is now through His finished work, not through our own imperfect offerings. We are to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received, reflecting the holiness of the God we serve and demonstrating the transforming power of His grace.

Questions for Reflection

How does the divine demand for "without blemish" offerings challenge my own standards of purity and excellence in my walk with God?
In what practical ways can I offer my "best" to God in my daily life, rather than just my leftovers or what is convenient?
How does the sheer volume and repetitive nature of sacrifices in Numbers 29 deepen my appreciation for the singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
Considering the communal nature of the Sukkot offerings, how can I better participate in and contribute to the corporate worship and spiritual health of my faith community?

FAQ

Why did the number of bullocks decrease each day during the Feast of Tabernacles?

Answer: The Bible does not explicitly state the reason for the decreasing number of bullocks during Sukkot, but various interpretations exist among scholars. Some suggest it symbolized a diminishing need for atonement as the feast progressed and the people drew closer to God, or perhaps a representation of the diminishing strength of the "old man" as one walks in newness of life. Others propose it was a unique liturgical rhythm designed to set Sukkot apart from other festivals, emphasizing its distinctiveness as a time of both solemn reflection on God's wilderness provision and joyous celebration of the harvest. It could also have been a practical measure to manage the large number of sacrifices over seven days, or simply a divinely ordained pattern to underscore God's sovereignty and the precise nature of His commands, as seen in the detailed instructions throughout Numbers 29. Regardless of the specific symbolic meaning, this unique pattern highlights the divine specificity and purposeful design in Israel's worship.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Numbers 29:23, with its detailed prescription of unblemished animal sacrifices for the Feast of Tabernacles, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The constant requirement for animals "without blemish" powerfully foreshadowed the perfect, spotless Lamb of God, Jesus, who alone was without sin and thus supremely qualified to be the ultimate sacrifice for humanity, as proclaimed by John the Baptist: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" The sheer volume and repetitive nature of the Old Testament sacrifices, including the daily offerings of Sukkot, underscored their temporary and insufficient nature; they could only cover sins annually, never truly taking them away, as the author of Hebrews explains. Christ, however, offered Himself "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10), a single, perfect, and eternally effective sacrifice that fully atoned for sin and brought eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-14). The Feast of Tabernacles, with its emphasis on dwelling with God and celebrating His provision, finds its spiritual reality in Christ, through whom we are reconciled to God and enabled to dwell in His presence (John 14:23). Our worship is no longer dependent on the blood of bulls and goats, but on the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19), allowing us to approach God with confidence and gratitude, presenting our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) in light of His complete and perfect work. Thus, the shadows and types of Numbers 29:23 are gloriously realized in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, the true and final Lamb of God.

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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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