Numbers 29:24

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Their meat offering {H4503} and their drink offerings {H5262} for the bullocks {H6499}, for the rams {H352}, and for the lambs {H3532}, shall be according to their number {H4557}, after the manner {H4941}:

Complete Jewish Bible

with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams and lambs, according to their number, in keeping with the rule;

Berean Standard Bible

along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed.

American Standard Version

their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:24 meticulously details the specific grain and drink offerings that were to accompany the animal sacrifices—bullocks, rams, and lambs—on the second day of the Feast of Tabernacles. This verse underscores the divine demand for precise quantities and methods in worship, emphasizing that every element of the offering must be presented "according to their number, after the manner" prescribed by God, reflecting His desire for orderly, comprehensive, and obedient devotion from His people in their approach to His holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:24 is situated within a comprehensive liturgical calendar (Numbers 28-29) that meticulously outlines the sacrificial requirements for Israel's annual feasts, supplementing the daily burnt offerings. Specifically, this verse falls within the detailed instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), which spans [Numbers 29:12-38](/numbers/29-12-38 "Numbers 29:12-38 - Offerings for the Feast of Tabernacles"). The preceding verses detail the offerings for the first day of this seven-day festival, including a specific number of bullocks, rams, and lambs. Numbers 29:24 then specifies the accompanying grain and drink offerings for the second day's sacrifices. The subsequent verses continue this pattern, delineating a decreasing number of bullocks for each successive day of the feast, while the number of rams and lambs, along with their precise grain and drink offerings, remains consistent. This meticulous enumeration across the chapter highlights the systematic, non-negotiable, and divinely ordained nature of Israelite worship.
* **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, typically in September or October. It served a dual purpose: a joyous thanksgiving for the year's agricultural bounty and a solemn remembrance of God's faithful provision and protection during the Israelites' forty years of wilderness wandering, symbolized by their living in temporary shelters (booths or tabernacles). The extensive animal sacrifices, along with their accompanying grain and drink offerings, were a central feature of this communal celebration, expressing national gratitude, atonement, and dedication to God. The unique and substantial volume of offerings, particularly the decreasing number of bullocks each day, was a distinctive characteristic of Sukkot, signifying a crescendo of worship that gradually diminished, perhaps reflecting the journey from initial exuberance to a settled, sustained devotion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, like the entire chapter, powerfully articulates several foundational themes central to Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Precision and Order** in worship; God's instructions were not vague suggestions but exact commands, leaving no room for human improvisation, as seen in the detailed regulations for all offerings throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering")). Secondly, it highlights the **Completeness of Worship**, where animal sacrifices (representing life and atonement) were invariably complemented by grain offerings (representing livelihood, sustenance, and thanksgiving) and drink offerings (representing joy, dedication, and libation), signifying a holistic presentation of the worshiper's entire being and possessions to God. This comprehensive approach to worship is a recurring motif, for instance, in [Numbers 15:1-10](/numbers/15-1-10 "Numbers 15:1-10 - Laws for Offerings"). Finally, the phrase "after the manner" underscores the paramount importance of **Obedience to God's Commands**. Adherence to the prescribed methods was not merely ritualistic but a profound act of faith and submission, crucial for maintaining the covenant relationship and receiving divine blessing, a principle echoed throughout the Mosaic Law, such as in [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat offering (Hebrew, _minchâh'_):** While the King James Version translates this as "meat offering," the Hebrew word מִנְחָה (_minchâh'_) more accurately refers to a **grain offering** or meal offering. This offering, derived from a root meaning "to apportion" or "bestow," was typically a bloodless donation, often consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. It functioned as a sacrificial offering of tribute or a present, signifying the dedication of one's livelihood and the fruits of their toil to God.
* **Drink offerings (Hebrew, _neçek'_):** The Hebrew word נֵסֶךְ (_neçek'_) denotes a **libation** or "poured out" offering, almost exclusively consisting of wine. Derived from a root meaning "to pour out," these offerings were never presented alone but always accompanied burnt offerings and peace offerings. They symbolized joy, devotion, and the pouring out of one's life in worship, adding a dimension of celebratory dedication to the more solemn animal sacrifices.
* **After the manner (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** This phrase, derived from the Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (_mishpâṭ'_), means "according to the judgment," "ordinance," "custom," or "prescribed rule." It signifies a verdict or formal decree, encompassing divine law, custom, or established right. Its inclusion here is critical, emphasizing that the offerings were not to be presented arbitrarily or according to human preference, but precisely as God had commanded, highlighting the divine authority behind the sacrificial system and the absolute necessity of strict adherence to His revealed will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their meat offering and their drink offerings":** This initial clause identifies the two types of complementary offerings that are the subject of the verse. These are not the primary animal sacrifices but the essential accompanying elements required for a complete and acceptable offering. The plural forms indicate the numerous individual grain and drink offerings that were to be presented.
* **"for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs":** This specifies the categories of animals for which these accompanying offerings were designated. The grain and drink offerings were inextricably linked to the animal sacrifices, serving as their necessary complements. The listing of "bullocks, rams, and lambs" refers to the various types of animals being offered during the Feast of Tabernacles, with the bullocks decreasing in number each day, while the rams and lambs remained constant.
* **"[shall be] according to their number, after the manner":** This concluding phrase is the prescriptive core of the verse, articulating the divine requirement for these offerings. "According to their number" means that the quantity of grain and wine for the _minchâh'_ and _neçek'_ offerings had to be precisely proportional to the number of animals being sacrificed, as detailed elsewhere in the Law (e.g., [Numbers 15:3-10](/numbers/15-3-10 "Numbers 15:3-10 - Specific Quantities for Offerings")). "After the manner" reiterates the demand for strict adherence to the prescribed form, method, and quality of these offerings, leaving no room for human innovation or deviation from God's divine blueprint for worship.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices to convey its message of divine order and human obedience. **Precision and Detailing** are paramount, as the meticulous enumeration of sacrifices and their accompanying offerings functions as a literary device to underscore God's demand for exact obedience and orderly worship. This detailed blueprint builds a profound sense of the divine architect's careful design for His people's approach to Him. The **Repetition** of the phrase "according to their number, after the manner" (or similar formulations like "according to the ordinance") throughout Numbers 29 reinforces the non-negotiable importance and unchanging nature of God's commands regarding worship. This consistent reiteration serves to engrain the principle of strict adherence in the minds of the Israelites. Furthermore, the passage utilizes **Legal/Prescriptive Language**, characterized by direct, instructional imperatives ("shall be") and specific requirements, which is typical of the Mosaic Law. This authoritative tone emphasizes the divine origin and binding nature of these commands, establishing God as the ultimate authority in matters of worship and covenant relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:24, with its emphasis on the precise accompanying offerings, profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of order, holiness, and meticulous detail. It reveals that true worship is not haphazard or self-devised but must conform to divine revelation. The inclusion of grain and drink offerings alongside animal sacrifices demonstrates that ancient Israelite worship was a comprehensive act, involving not only the shedding of blood for atonement but also the dedication of the fruits of labor and expressions of joy and thanksgiving. This holistic approach foreshadows the New Covenant call to offer our entire lives as a "living sacrifice." The principle of "according to their number, after the manner" underscores that God sets the terms for how humanity approaches Him, a truth that remains eternally relevant, reminding us that reverence for God's revealed will is foundational to authentic faith.

* [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1-3 "The Law of the Grain Offering")
* [Numbers 15:1-10](/numbers/15-1-10 "Laws for Grain and Drink Offerings")
* [Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "The Law as a Shadow of Good Things to Come")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific sacrificial system of the Old Covenant has been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles embedded in Numbers 29:24 remain profoundly applicable for believers today. This verse challenges us to consider the intentionality, completeness, and obedience of our worship. God desires a worship that is not casual or convenient, but deliberate and thoughtful, reflecting His holiness and our reverence. Just as the Israelites brought their best and in the prescribed manner, we are called to offer our "spiritual sacrifices" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones and a Holy Priesthood")) with wholehearted devotion—our time, talents, resources, and very lives. "According to their number, after the manner" reminds us that God still sets the terms for acceptable worship, not according to our preferences, but according to His revealed will in His Word. Our worship, whether corporate or private, should be marked by a desire to honor Him in spirit and truth, dedicating all aspects of our being to His glory and acknowledging His sovereign authority over every detail of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Old Testament offerings, as seen in Numbers 29:24, challenge our modern approach to worship and spiritual disciplines?**
* **In what ways can we, as New Covenant believers, offer a "complete" worship that encompasses all aspects of our lives, mirroring the comprehensive nature of the grain, drink, and animal offerings?**
* **What does it mean for us today to worship "after the manner" (according to God's prescribed way) rather than our own preferences or cultural norms?**

### FAQ
**What is a "meat offering" in the KJV context, and why is it often misunderstood?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word _minchâh'_ (מִנְחָה). This term does not refer to animal flesh (as "meat" typically implies today) but rather to a **grain offering** or meal offering, usually made of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. It was a bloodless offering, primarily an act of thanksgiving, dedication, or tribute. The misunderstanding arises because the English word "meat" historically referred to food in general, not exclusively animal flesh. Modern translations often render it as "grain offering" or "meal offering" to avoid confusion, as seen in [Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1 - The Grain Offering").

**Why were such detailed instructions for offerings necessary in the Old Testament?**

Answer: The intricate and precise instructions for offerings, including those in Numbers 29:24, served multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, they underscored God's absolute holiness and transcendence, demonstrating that He is to be approached on His terms, not human ones. This precision distinguished Israelite worship from the often chaotic and arbitrary practices of surrounding pagan cultures. Secondly, the detailed laws taught the Israelites obedience and discipline, cultivating a reverence for God's commands. Thirdly, the complexity and exactitude of the sacrificial system pointed forward to the perfect, singular, and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ, highlighting that only a flawless offering, perfectly "according to the manner" of God's will, could truly atone for sin, as later explained in [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:24, with its meticulous instructions for accompanying grain and drink offerings, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including every "meat offering" and "drink offering," served as a "shadow of the good things to come" ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow")), pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Christ is not merely the ultimate animal sacrifice, whose blood cleanses us from sin ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")), but He also embodies the essence of the grain and drink offerings. He is the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the perfect "grain offering" given for the sustenance of the world, representing His perfect life and body offered without blemish. Furthermore, His life poured out on the cross, His blood shed for the remission of sins, is the ultimate "drink offering," a libation of love and devotion that perfectly fulfilled God's will ([John 19:34](/john/19-34 "John 19:34 - Water and Blood from Jesus' Side")). His entire life and death were "according to their number, after the manner"—precisely as God had ordained from eternity past, perfectly meeting every divine requirement and establishing a new covenant of grace. In Christ, we are now called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), a spiritual worship that is complete, intentional, and obedient, flowing from His perfect and sufficient offering.

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.