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 detailed instructions for the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, specifying the precise quantities and manner of the grain and drink offerings that were to accompany the animal sacrifices. This verse underscores the meticulous nature of Israelite worship, emphasizing God's demand for exact adherence to His prescribed rituals, ensuring that every element of the sacrificial system was performed "according to their number, after the manner" as previously established in the Mosaic Law. It highlights the divine expectation of precision and obedience in approaching a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:30 is the culmination of a highly structured and repetitive section within Numbers 29, which meticulously details 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 text outlines the diminishing number of bullocks offered each day, from thirteen on the first day to seven on the seventh, alongside a fixed number of rams and lambs. Each daily entry consistently reiterates the requirement for accompanying grain and drink offerings. Verse 30 serves as a concluding summary for the seventh day's offerings, reinforcing that these supplementary offerings, for all the various animals, must conform to the established standards, thereby bringing a sense of completion and finality to the instructions for this particular day of the festival.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the three great pilgrimage festivals in ancient Israel, celebrated in the autumn after the harvest. It commemorated God's provision and protection during the Israelites' forty years of wandering in the wilderness, when they lived in temporary shelters or "tabernacles." Agriculturally, it was a time of thanksgiving for the harvest. The elaborate sacrificial system, including grain and drink offerings, was integral to Israelite worship, serving as a divinely ordained means for atonement, communion, and thanksgiving. The meticulousness of the instructions reflects the highly structured nature of Israelite society and its worship, where every detail was understood as a direct command from Yahweh, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and holiness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, embedded within the broader sacrificial legislation of Numbers, contributes to several overarching themes. It powerfully reinforces the theme of **divine precision and obedience in worship**, demonstrating that God's commands are not suggestions but require exact adherence, as seen throughout the instructions for the tabernacle and its rituals (e.g., [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern for the Tabernacle")). The repetitive nature of the offerings highlights the **holiness of God** and the constant need for Israel to approach Him through prescribed means, emphasizing the gravity of their covenant relationship. Furthermore, the inclusion of grain and drink offerings alongside animal sacrifices underscores the theme of **total dedication and thanksgiving**, acknowledging God as the source of all provision, both spiritual and material, as expressed in passages like [Deuteronomy 8:17-18](/deuteronomy/8-17 "Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - Remembering God's Provision").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat Offering (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** In the KJV, "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word _minchah_ (מִנְחָה). This term does not refer to animal flesh but rather to a "grain offering" or "meal offering." It typically consisted of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, often baked, and was a bloodless offering that accompanied burnt offerings and peace offerings. The _minchah_ symbolized dedication, sustenance, and the offering of the fruits of one's labor to God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty.
* **Drink Offerings (Hebrew, _nesek'_):** The Hebrew word _nesek_ (נֶסֶךְ) refers to a "libation" or "drink offering," almost always wine, poured out at the altar as part of a sacrificial ritual. This offering, often accompanying burnt offerings and grain offerings, symbolized the pouring out of one's life or devotion to God, and was 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, _ka-mishpat'_):** This phrase, _ka-mishpat_ (כַּמִּשְׁפָּט), literally means "according to the judgment" or "according to the custom/ordinance." It signifies adherence to established legal precedent, divine statute, or prescribed ritual. In this context, 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 "Numbers 15:1-12 - General Laws for Offerings")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their meat offering and their drink offerings":** This clause specifies the two types of accompanying offerings that are the subject of the verse. These were not primary sacrifices for atonement but supplementary offerings that completed the larger animal sacrifices, symbolizing dedication, gratitude, and communion.
* **"for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs":** This enumerates the specific animal sacrifices for which the grain and drink offerings were required. These animals constituted the burnt offerings for the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, as detailed in the preceding verses of Numbers 29. The inclusion of all three categories of animals emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the command.
* **"[shall be] according to their number, after the manner":** This crucial phrase dictates the precise quantities and prescribed method for presenting the grain and drink offerings. "According to their number" refers to the specific amount of flour, oil, and wine required for each individual bullock, ram, or lamb, as laid out in general sacrificial laws (e.g., a specific measure of flour per lamb, more for a ram, even more for a bullock). "After the manner" reiterates that these offerings must be presented in the exact way prescribed by God's law, leaving no room for improvisation or deviation. This reinforces the theme of meticulous obedience in worship.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 29:30, and indeed throughout Numbers 29, is **Repetition**. The phrase "according to their number, after the manner" (or similar phrasing) is reiterated for each day's offerings, underscoring the unwavering precision and adherence demanded by God in the sacrificial system. This **Repetition** serves to emphasize the non-negotiable nature of divine commands and the 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, reinforcing the absolute authority of God and the Israelites' role as covenant-bound people. The meticulous enumeration of animals and offerings also functions as a form of **Enumeration**, systematically detailing every component of the worship, leaving no ambiguity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:30, in its precise regulation of accompanying offerings, powerfully underscores the Old Testament emphasis on the **holiness of God** and the corresponding demand for **human obedience and reverence** in worship. The meticulous detail in the Mosaic Law concerning sacrifices taught Israel that approaching a holy God was not a casual affair but required careful adherence to divine instruction. These offerings, though seemingly minor, were integral to the larger sacrificial system, signifying a complete dedication of resources and life to Yahweh. They were a constant reminder that God's covenant people were to live by His decrees, acknowledging His sovereignty over all aspects of their lives, from their harvests to their worship.

* [Numbers 15:1-12](/numbers/15-12 "Numbers 15:1-12 - General Laws for Grain and Drink Offerings")
* [Leviticus 2:1-16](/leviticus/2-16 "Leviticus 2:1-16 - The Grain Offering")
* [Exodus 29:40-41](/exodus/29-40 "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 fulfilled in Christ, the enduring principles embedded in Numbers 29:30 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to reflect on the nature of our own worship and obedience. God still desires intentional, disciplined, and biblically informed worship, not haphazard or self-serving expressions. Just as the Israelites were 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, resources, and very lives—in a manner that aligns with God's revealed will. This means approaching God with reverence, understanding that He is holy, and seeking to honor Him in every facet of our lives, not just in formal worship settings. It challenges 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 or deviating from His truth.

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

### 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 _minchah_ (מִנְחָה), which more accurately means "grain offering" or "meal offering." In the KJV's time, "meat" could refer to food in general, 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 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, even more for a bullock, as detailed in [Numbers 15:1-12](/numbers/15-12 "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 or deviation. It underscores that worship is not arbitrary but must conform to God's revealed will, highlighting His holiness and sovereignty.

**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 fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the underlying 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 about God's holiness, the seriousness of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the importance of obedient worship. For believers today, these laws deepen our appreciation for the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, which completely atoned for sin and made direct access to God possible ([Hebrews 10:1-14](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). We are now called to offer "spiritual sacrifices" of praise, thanksgiving, and our very lives ([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 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 inadequacy of temporary, symbolic sacrifices to truly cleanse sin. They pointed 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 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 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 pouring out of His 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 and good works, no longer bound by the shadows but living in the light of His perfect fulfillment ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "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.