Numbers 29:30

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And 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

and 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 29:30 concludes the intricate instructions for the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, meticulously detailing the required grain and drink offerings that were to accompany the animal sacrifices. This verse underscores the divine expectation for absolute precision and strict adherence to God's prescribed rituals within Israelite worship, emphasizing that every aspect of the sacrificial system was to be performed "according to their number, after the manner" as previously established in the Mosaic Law. It highlights the profound importance of obedience and reverence in approaching a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:30 serves as the concluding directive for the seventh day's offerings within a highly structured and repetitive section of Numbers 29. This chapter meticulously outlines the daily sacrifices for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), beginning at [Numbers 29:12](/numbers/29-12 "Numbers 29:12 - Instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles"). The preceding verses detail a diminishing number of bullocks offered each day, from thirteen on the first day to seven on the seventh, consistently accompanied by a fixed number of rams and lambs. Each daily entry reiterates the necessity of specific grain and drink offerings. Verse 30, by summarizing these supplementary offerings for all categories of animals on the seventh day, brings a sense of finality and comprehensive adherence to the festival's ritual requirements, reinforcing the overarching theme of meticulous obedience throughout the entire week of celebration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in ancient Israel, celebrated in the autumn after the harvest. It served a dual purpose: commemorating God's faithful provision and protection during the Israelites' forty years of wandering in the wilderness, when they dwelt in temporary shelters (tabernacles or booths), and expressing thanksgiving for the agricultural bounty of the year. The elaborate sacrificial system, including the grain and drink offerings specified here, was central to Israelite worship. These offerings were not merely symbolic gestures but divinely ordained means for atonement, communion, and expressing gratitude. The extreme meticulousness of the instructions, particularly the precise quantities and procedures, reflects the highly ordered nature of Israelite society and its worship, where every detail was understood as a direct command from Yahweh, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty, holiness, and the seriousness of their covenant relationship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, deeply embedded within the broader sacrificial legislation of the book of Numbers, powerfully contributes to several overarching themes. Foremost is the theme of **divine precision and obedience in worship**, demonstrating that God's commands are not suggestions but require exact and unwavering adherence. This meticulousness is evident throughout the instructions for the tabernacle, its furnishings, and its rituals (e.g., [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern for the Tabernacle")). The repetitive nature of the offerings, coupled with the detailed requirements, highlights the **holiness of God** and the constant need for Israel to approach Him through prescribed means, underscoring the gravity and sacredness of their covenant relationship. Furthermore, the inclusion of grain and drink offerings alongside the animal sacrifices emphasizes the theme of **total dedication and thanksgiving**, acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all provision—both spiritual and material—as beautifully articulated in passages like [Deuteronomy 8:17-18](/deuteronomy/8-17-18 "Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - Remembering God's Provision").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat Offering (Hebrew, _minchâh'_):** In the King James Version, "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word _minchâh_ (מִנְחָה, H4503). This term does not refer to animal flesh but rather to a "grain offering" or "meal offering." It was a bloodless donation, typically consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, often baked, which accompanied burnt offerings and peace offerings. The _minchâh_ symbolized dedication, sustenance, and the offering of the fruits of one's labor to God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty.
* **Drink Offerings (Hebrew, _neçek'_):** The Hebrew word _neçek_ (נֵסֶךְ, H5262) refers to a "libation" or "drink offering," almost exclusively wine, poured out at the altar as part of a sacrificial ritual. This offering, frequently accompanying burnt offerings and grain offerings, symbolized the pouring out of one's life or devotion to God, serving as an act of worship and communion, as seen in various sacrificial contexts (e.g., [Numbers 15:5](/numbers/15-5 "Numbers 15:5 - Drink Offering Instructions")).
* **After the manner (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** This phrase translates the Hebrew word _mishpâṭ_ (מִשְׁפָּט, H4941), which properly means "a verdict," "judgment," "ordinance," or "custom." In this context, "after the manner" signifies adherence to an established legal precedent, divine statute, or prescribed ritual. It emphasizes that the quantities and procedures for the grain and drink offerings were not left to human discretion but were fixed, divinely ordained requirements, previously detailed in the Torah (e.g., [Numbers 15:1-12](/numbers/15-1-12 "Numbers 15:1-12 - General Laws for Offerings")). This term highlights the legal and obligatory nature of these sacrificial practices.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their meat offering and their drink offerings":** This initial clause identifies the two categories of supplementary offerings that are the subject of the verse. These were not primary sacrifices for atonement but essential accompaniments to the larger animal sacrifices, symbolizing dedication, gratitude, and communion with God.
* **"for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs":** This phrase specifies the particular animal sacrifices for which the grain and drink offerings were mandated. These animals constituted the burnt offerings for the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, as meticulously detailed in the preceding verses of Numbers 29. The enumeration of all three categories—bullocks, rams, and lambs—underscores the comprehensive and universal application of the command to all animal sacrifices offered on that day.
* **"[shall be] according to their number, after the manner":** This crucial concluding phrase dictates the precise quantities and the prescribed method for presenting the grain and drink offerings. "According to their number" refers to the specific, divinely mandated amount of flour, oil, and wine required for each individual bullock, ram, or lamb, as previously stipulated in general sacrificial laws (e.g., a specific measure of flour per lamb, a larger measure for a ram, and an even larger measure for a bullock). "After the manner" emphatically reiterates that these offerings must be presented in the exact way prescribed by God's law, leaving absolutely no room for human improvisation, deviation, or negligence. This phrase powerfully reinforces the overarching theme of meticulous obedience and divine authority in all aspects of Israelite worship.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 29:30, and indeed throughout the entirety of Numbers 29, is **Repetition**. The phrase "according to their number, after the manner" (or very similar phrasing, such as "according to the ordinance") is reiterated for each day's offerings during the Feast of Tabernacles. This **Repetition** serves to underscore the unwavering precision, consistency, and absolute adherence demanded by God in the sacrificial system. It functions as a powerful rhetorical tool to emphasize the non-negotiable nature of divine commands and the critical importance of exactness in ritual. Furthermore, the detailed, almost legalistic language employed throughout the chapter, including this verse, highlights the **Prescriptive** nature of God's covenant with Israel. It is a divine mandate, not a suggestion or an option, reinforcing the absolute authority of God and the Israelites' role as covenant-bound people. The meticulous enumeration of animals and their corresponding offerings also functions as a form of **Enumeration**, systematically detailing every component of the worship, leaving no ambiguity and ensuring comprehensive compliance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:30, in its precise regulation of accompanying offerings, powerfully underscores the Old Testament emphasis on the **holiness and transcendence of God** and the corresponding demand for **human obedience, reverence, and intentionality** in worship. The meticulous detail embedded within the Mosaic Law concerning sacrifices taught Israel that approaching a holy God was not a casual or arbitrary affair but required careful, exact adherence to divine instruction. These grain and drink offerings, though seemingly supplementary to the animal sacrifices, were integral to the larger sacrificial system, signifying a complete dedication of resources and life to Yahweh. They served as a constant reminder that God's covenant people were to live by His decrees, acknowledging His absolute sovereignty over all aspects of their lives, from their agricultural harvests to their most sacred acts of worship. This verse reinforces that true worship is not merely an emotional experience but a disciplined act of submission to God's revealed will.

* [Numbers 15:1-12](/numbers/15-1-12 "Numbers 15:1-12 - General Laws for Grain and Drink Offerings")
* [Leviticus 2:1-16](/leviticus/2-1-16 "Leviticus 2:1-16 - The Grain Offering")
* [Exodus 29:40-41](/exodus/29-40-41 "Exodus 29:40-41 - Daily Burnt Offerings with Grain and Drink Offerings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific sacrificial system of the Old Testament has been perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the enduring principles embedded in Numbers 29:30 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse profoundly challenges us to reflect on the nature of our own worship and obedience. God still desires intentional, disciplined, and biblically informed worship, not haphazard, convenient, or self-serving expressions. Just as the Israelites were commanded to offer their "meat offering" and "drink offering" "according to their number, after the manner," we are called to offer our best—our time, talents, financial resources, and indeed, our very lives—in a manner that aligns with God's revealed will. This means approaching God with profound reverence, understanding that He is holy and worthy of our utmost respect, and seeking to honor Him in every facet of our lives, not merely in formal worship settings. It compels us to consider if our service and devotion are truly "according to the manner" of Christ's example and the Spirit's leading, or if we are offering less than our best, deviating from His truth, or engaging in "worship" that is merely convenient rather than costly and consecrated.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways does the meticulousness of Old Testament worship challenge my own approach to God and my understanding of reverence?**
* **How can I ensure that my "offerings" (my time, talents, resources, and daily choices) are truly "according to their number, after the manner" in my contemporary Christian life?**
* **What does "reverence" truly mean in the context of contemporary worship, both corporate and individual, and how can I cultivate it more deeply and consistently?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Israelites offer "meat offerings" if they were not animal flesh?**

Answer: The term "meat offering" in the King James Version (KJV) is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word _minchâh_ (מִנְחָה), which more accurately means "grain offering" or "meal offering." In the KJV's time, "meat" was a general term for food, not exclusively animal flesh. These offerings typically consisted of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, sometimes baked, and were bloodless offerings often presented alongside animal sacrifices. They symbolized dedication, thanksgiving for God's provision, and the offering of the firstfruits of the land. You can find detailed instructions for these offerings in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering").

**What does "according to their number, after the manner" imply about God's expectations for worship?**

Answer: This phrase emphasizes God's demand for absolute precision, exactness, and strict adherence to His prescribed rituals in worship. "According to their number" refers to the specific quantities of grain and wine required for each type of animal sacrifice (e.g., a certain amount of flour and oil for a lamb, more for a ram, and even more for a bullock, as detailed in [Numbers 15:1-12](/numbers/15-1-12 "Numbers 15:1-12 - General Laws for Offerings")). "After the manner" signifies that the offerings must be presented in the divinely established way or custom, leaving no room for human improvisation, convenience, or deviation. It underscores that worship is not arbitrary but must conform to God's revealed will, highlighting His holiness, sovereignty, and the seriousness of the covenant relationship.

**Are these Old Testament sacrificial laws still relevant for Christians today?**

Answer: While Christians are no longer bound by the Mosaic Law's specific sacrificial system, which was perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the underlying theological principles remain profoundly relevant. The Old Testament sacrifices, including those mentioned in Numbers 29:30, served as a "shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ" ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - The Shadow and the Substance")). They teach us invaluable truths about God's holiness, the seriousness of sin, the absolute necessity of atonement, and the importance of obedient and reverent worship. For believers today, these laws deepen our appreciation for the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, which completely and eternally atoned for sin and made direct access to God possible ([Hebrews 10:1-14](/hebrews/10-1-14 "Hebrews 10:1-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). We are now called to offer "spiritual sacrifices" of praise, thanksgiving, and our very lives as a "living sacrifice" to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:30, with its meticulous emphasis on the accompanying grain and drink offerings for the daily sacrifices, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and perfect work of Jesus Christ. The repetitive nature and precise requirements of these Old Testament offerings—whether animal, grain, or drink—served as a constant reminder of humanity's ongoing need for atonement and the inherent inadequacy of temporary, symbolic sacrifices to truly cleanse sin. They were divinely appointed shadows, pointing forward to a perfect, once-for-all offering. Jesus Christ is that perfect offering, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose single, unblemished sacrifice on the cross completely and eternally satisfied God's righteous demands. Unlike the daily, weekly, and festival offerings that had to be presented "according to their number, after the manner," Christ's sacrifice was so complete and efficacious that it needed no repetition, for "by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's Perfected Sacrifice")). He is not only the ultimate burnt offering, but also the perfect "grain offering" and "drink offering," symbolizing His complete dedication and the pouring out of His very life as an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). Through His finished work, believers are now empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and good works, no longer bound by the shadows of the Law but living in the glorious light of His perfect fulfillment ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15-16 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Deeds")).

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.