Numbers 29:23

KJV

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

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:23 meticulously details the specific animal sacrifices mandated for the fourth day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), an annual seven-day pilgrimage festival celebrating God's provision and the harvest. This verse specifies the offering of "ten bullocks, two rams, [and] fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish," illustrating the precise and diminishing number of bullocks required daily, while rams and lambs remained constant, underscoring the divine demand for exact adherence in Israelite worship and the profound significance of these communal offerings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:23 is situated within a comprehensive section (Numbers 29:1-40) that meticulously outlines the sacrificial offerings for Israel's annual feasts, with particular emphasis on the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). This chapter follows Numbers 28, which details the daily and monthly offerings, establishing a foundational understanding of Israel's regular sacrificial rhythm. The immediate context of Numbers 29:12-38 provides the day-by-day instructions for Sukkot, a unique festival where the number of bullocks offered progressively decreased each day—from thirteen on the first day (Numbers 29:13) to seven on the seventh day (Numbers 29:32). This diminishing sequence, while the rams and lambs remained constant, highlights a deliberate, divinely ordained pattern for this particular feast, emphasizing both the abundance of offerings and the precise, ordered nature of Israel's worship. The repetition of the phrase "without blemish" for the sacrificial animals throughout this section underscores the consistent standard of purity required for all offerings presented to God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals (alongside Passover and Pentecost) when all Israelite males were commanded to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16). Commanded in [Leviticus 23:34-43](/leviticus/23-34 "Leviticus 23:34-43 - The Feast of Tabernacles"), Sukkot served a dual purpose: it commemorated God's faithful provision and protection during the forty years of wilderness wanderings, during which 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 reminder of their nomadic past and God's enduring presence. The extensive animal sacrifices, as detailed in Numbers 29, were central to this communal celebration, expressing national repentance, thanksgiving, and a 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.
* **Key Themes:** The detailed instructions in Numbers 29:23 and the broader chapter contribute significantly to several key themes within the Pentateuch. 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 echoed throughout the laws of Moses, such as in the precise instructions for the Tabernacle's construction in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Construction"). 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](/numbers/28-3 "Numbers 28:3 - Daily Burnt Offering"), 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](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ as the Spotless Lamb"). Finally, the theme of **Abundance and Thanksgiving** is 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
* **Without Blemish (Hebrew, _tamim'_):** The Hebrew word תָּמִים (_tamim_), translated "without blemish," is crucial for understanding the nature of acceptable sacrifice. It means "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 _tamim_ underscored the high standard God required for anything dedicated to Him, emphasizing purity, wholeness, and the offering of one's very best. Theologically, it prefigures the sinless perfection of Christ, the ultimate sacrifice.
* **First Year (Hebrew, _ben shanah'_):** The phrase "of the first year" (Hebrew: בֶּן שָׁנָה, _ben shanah_) specifies the age of the lambs to be offered. This indicates young, vigorous, and unblemished animals, typically lambs that were less than one year old. The "first year" designation implies 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, further emphasizes the meticulousness of God's requirements for worship and the value placed on the offering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And on the fourth day":** This clause precisely situates the offerings within the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. The daily progression of offerings, particularly the decreasing number of bullocks, is a unique feature of Sukkot, making the specific day a critical detail for understanding the overall sacrificial pattern of the festival.
* **"ten bullocks":** This specifies the number of male cattle to be offered. Notably, the number of bullocks decreased daily during Sukkot, starting with thirteen on the first day and ending with seven on the seventh. The ten bullocks on the fourth day represent a significant, yet diminishing, portion of the communal offering, symbolizing the nation's collective atonement and thanksgiving.
* **"two rams":** This indicates the number of male sheep to be offered. Unlike the bullocks, the number of rams remained constant at two per day throughout the seven days of Sukkot, signifying a consistent element of the communal sacrifice. Rams were also significant sacrificial animals, often associated with burnt offerings.
* **"and fourteen lambs of the first year":** This specifies the number and age 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, often representing innocence and purity.
* **"without blemish":** This crucial phrase applies to all the animals, though explicitly stated for the lambs here. It signifies the absolute requirement for physical perfection and purity in all sacrifices presented to God. This standard ensures that only the best and most perfect animals are offered, reflecting the holiness of God and the seriousness of the act of worship and atonement.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 29:23, like the surrounding verses, prominently employs **Precision** and **Enumeration** as primary literary devices. The meticulous listing of specific quantities ("ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs") for a particular day ("fourth day") underscores the exactitude of divine command and the ordered nature of Israelite worship. This precise enumeration is not merely descriptive but prescriptive, emphasizing the non-negotiable requirements for approaching a holy God. 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 importance of purity and perfection in 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 diminishing number of bullocks, can be seen as a form of **Patterning** or **Structure**, creating a rhythmic and memorable framework for the festival's unique sacrificial liturgy, which itself carries 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 rituals were not ends in themselves but pedagogical tools, designed to impress upon Israel their 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.

* [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Requirements for Burnt Offering")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Inadequacy of Old Covenant Sacrifices")
* [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Christ as the Fulfillment of Shadows")

### 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. Furthermore, these ancient laws powerfully highlight the immense cost of sin and the boundless grace of God, who provided a means of atonement. Our 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.

#### 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 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. Some scholars suggest it symbolized the 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](/numbers/29 "Numbers 29 - Offerings for Feasts"). Regardless of the specific symbolic meaning, it highlights the divine specificity 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 qualified to be the ultimate sacrifice for humanity (John 1:29). 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 (Hebrews 10:1-4). 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 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.

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.