Numbers 29:34

KJV

And one goat [for] a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

And one {H259} goat {H8163} for a sin offering {H2403}; beside the continual {H8548} burnt offering {H5930}, his meat offering {H4503}, and his drink offering {H5262}.

Complete Jewish Bible

also one male goat as a sin offering; in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.

Berean Standard Bible

Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

American Standard Version

and one he-goat for a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, the meal-offering thereof, and the drink-offering thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:34 provides a precise divine instruction for the sacrificial regimen on the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, mandating the inclusion of a sin offering. This particular offering was to be presented "beside" the daily continual burnt offering, along with its associated grain and drink offerings, underscoring Israel's persistent need for atonement and purification even amidst joyous celebration, and highlighting the comprehensive and unceasing nature of God's prescribed worship for His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:34 is meticulously placed within the detailed liturgical calendar outlined in Numbers chapters 28 and 29. These chapters function as a comprehensive guide, specifying the precise sacrifices for the daily offerings, Sabbaths, New Moons, and all annual festivals. The immediate context of verse 34 is the specific instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a seven-day celebration culminating in an eighth day of solemn assembly. Each of the first seven days of this feast prescribed a unique sacrificial schedule, notably featuring a decreasing number of bullocks for the burnt offering, yet consistently requiring "one goat for a sin offering." This unwavering requirement for the sin offering, despite the variable nature of other sacrifices, profoundly emphasizes its foundational and non-negotiable importance throughout the festival, serving as a crucial theological counterpoint to the otherwise celebratory atmosphere.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, stood as one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in ancient Israel, alongside Passover and Pentecost, requiring all Israelite males to journey to Jerusalem. Primarily an agricultural harvest festival, it celebrated the ingathering of the final crops—grapes and olives—and served as a profound expression of national gratitude to God for His abundant provision. Culturally, Sukkot also functioned as a powerful memorial of Israel's forty years of wilderness wanderings, during which they dwelled in temporary shelters (booths or tabernacles), reminding them of God's faithful sustenance and miraculous protection during their nomadic journey. The elaborate sacrificial system, as meticulously detailed in Numbers, was the divinely ordained means by which Israel maintained and renewed its covenant relationship with a holy God. These offerings were far more than mere rituals; they were integral acts of worship, repentance, thanksgiving, and dedication, deeply woven into the social and religious fabric of the nation, designed to foster both communal and individual holiness before the Lord.
* **Key Themes:** The detailed instructions in Numbers 29:34 contribute significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully highlights the theme of **Divine Prescription and Order**, emphasizing God's meticulousness in demanding precise adherence to His worship protocols. Every detail, from the type of animal to the quantity and timing, was divinely ordained, underscoring the seriousness and sanctity of approaching a holy God. Secondly, the consistent inclusion of the sin offering throughout the joyous Feast of Tabernacles profoundly reinforces the theme of **Atonement and Purification**. Even during a time of celebration and thanksgiving for God's bounty, the Israelites were continually reminded of their inherent sinfulness and ongoing need for expiation and ritual cleansing to maintain their holy standing before God, a concept vividly illustrated in the instructions for [the Day of Atonement](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement"). Finally, the verse underscores the **Completeness and Sufficiency of the Sacrificial System** as given to Israel. The combination of burnt offerings (total dedication), grain offerings (thanksgiving, sustenance), drink offerings (devotion), and sin offerings (reconciliation) provided a holistic framework for worship that addressed various facets of the human-divine relationship, acknowledging both God's absolute holiness and humanity's fallen state. This comprehensive system was designed to point forward to the ultimate and perfect fulfillment found in Christ, a truth illuminated in [the book of Hebrews](/hebrews/10 "Hebrews 10 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Goat (Hebrew, _sâʻîyr'_):** This term refers to a he-goat, an animal frequently specified for sin offerings in the Levitical system, particularly for unintentional sins or communal transgressions. In the context of the purification offering, the goat symbolized the transfer of the community's impurity and the subsequent cleansing, serving as a substitute that bore the consequences of the people's defilement. The specific mention of "one goat" here emphasizes its singular, yet vital, role in the daily festival rites, signifying the consistent need for expiation.
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** More accurately translated as a "purification offering," this sacrifice addressed not only moral transgressions but also ritual impurities that rendered an individual or the community unfit for worship or fellowship with God. Its primary function was to cleanse and purify, thereby restoring the purity of the worshiper and the sanctity of the sanctuary. The consistent presence of the _chaṭṭâʼâh_ during the Feast of Tabernacles highlighted the pervasive nature of impurity and the constant need for divine cleansing, even amidst national rejoicing and thanksgiving.
* **Continual (Hebrew, _tâmîyd'_):** This word signifies "continuance" or "perpetual." When associated with the burnt offering (_ʻôlâh_), it refers to the daily morning and evening sacrifice that was offered without interruption throughout the year (Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:3-8). The phrase "beside the continual burnt offering" in Numbers 29:34 is crucial, indicating that the festival sacrifices were *additional* to the regular, daily acts of worship. This underscores that the special festival offerings were not replacements but supplements, emphasizing the continuous nature of Israel's covenant relationship and their constant need for both atonement and devotion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one goat [for] a sin offering":** This clause precisely mandates the offering of a single male goat as a purification offering. Its consistent inclusion on the seventh day, mirroring the preceding days of the feast, powerfully underscores the persistent and unchanging need for atonement and ritual cleansing for the community. Even in the midst of a joyous harvest festival, this requirement signifies that human imperfection, the potential for sin, and ritual impurity were ever-present realities, necessitating ongoing divine provision for reconciliation and purity.
* **"beside the continual burnt offering":** This phrase is profoundly significant, clarifying that this specific festival sin offering, along with the other festival sacrifices, was not intended to replace but rather to accompany the daily, perpetual burnt offering. The "continual burnt offering" (Numbers 28:3-8) served as a constant expression of Israel's unwavering covenant commitment and ongoing atonement. Its presence here emphasizes that the special festival worship augmented, rather than superseded, the regular, foundational acts of national devotion and reconciliation, highlighting the layering of worship.
* **"his meat offering, and his drink offering":** These refer to the grain (or "meat") offering (_minchâh_) and the drink offering (_neçek_) that invariably accompanied the burnt offering. The grain offering, typically a gift of flour, oil, and frankincense, symbolized thanksgiving, sustenance, and dedication of one's labors to God. The drink offering, usually wine, was poured out as an act of devotion and worship, signifying complete dedication. Their inclusion here confirms that the comprehensive package of daily worship, symbolizing complete dedication and sustenance from God, remained intact and foundational, even as additional, specific festival sacrifices were added to the liturgical calendar.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 29:34, like much of the Pentateuchal legal material, employs several literary devices to convey its message with precision and emphatic clarity. **Repetition** is a prominent feature throughout Numbers 29, with the phrase "one goat for a sin offering" recurring daily for the Feast of Tabernacles. This consistent recurrence serves to deeply instill the persistent and unchanging importance of purification into the national consciousness, despite the varying numbers of other sacrifices. The **Specificity** of the instructions, detailing the exact animal and its precise purpose, reflects the meticulousness of divine law and the profound seriousness with which God's worship was to be approached. This divine precision leaves no room for ambiguity, human improvisation, or casualness in sacred matters. Furthermore, the use of **Juxtaposition** in placing the "sin offering" "beside the continual burnt offering" highlights the interplay between specific festival atonement and ongoing national dedication. This creates a comprehensive and layered picture of Israel's relationship with God, demonstrating a balance between joyous celebration and a sober recognition of sin, along with the constant need for reconciliation and devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:34, though seemingly a minor detail within the vast sacrificial system, profoundly illustrates core theological truths about God's absolute holiness, humanity's pervasive sinfulness, and the divine provision for reconciliation. It underscores that even in moments of national joy and thanksgiving, the reality of sin and impurity necessitates a constant and ongoing need for atonement and cleansing. The meticulous nature of these instructions reveals God's absolute sovereignty over worship and His unyielding desire for a holy people who approach Him strictly on His terms. This verse, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the foundational role of sacrifice in bridging the chasm between a holy God and an imperfect humanity, a theme woven throughout the Old Testament narrative and pointing to a greater reality.

* [Leviticus 4:27-31](/leviticus/4-27-31 "Leviticus 4:27-31 - Sin Offering for the Common Person")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin Is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The inclusion of a sin offering, even on the seventh day of a joyous harvest festival like the Feast of Tabernacles, serves as a profound and enduring spiritual reminder for believers today. It teaches us that our need for God's grace and forgiveness is not confined to moments of overt failure, crisis, or explicit sin, but is a constant, underlying reality of our human condition. Even in our most celebratory moments, when we feel closest to God and most thankful for His blessings, we are called to humble ourselves and acknowledge our inherent imperfections and ongoing need for purification. This prevents spiritual pride, fosters a deep and abiding humility, and reminds us that our standing before a holy God is always by His grace and provision, never by our own merit, performance, or spiritual achievement. Just as the "continual burnt offering" reminded Israel of their daily dependence and dedication, so too are we called to live in continual reliance on Christ's finished work and to practice ongoing confession and repentance, finding purification and maintaining unbroken fellowship with God through Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the consistent need for a sin offering, even during a joyful festival, challenge our modern understanding of sin and grace?**
* **In what ways do we, like ancient Israel, need to be reminded of our ongoing need for purification and atonement, even when we feel spiritually strong and blessed?**
* **What does the phrase "beside the continual burnt offering" teach us about the relationship between specific, special acts of worship and our daily, consistent walk with God?**
* **How can we cultivate a posture of humility and ongoing repentance in our lives, recognizing our profound and constant need for God's grace in all circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Why was a sin offering required every day of the Feast of Tabernacles, even though it was a joyful celebration?**

Answer: The consistent requirement for a sin offering, even during the joyous Feast of Tabernacles, underscores a fundamental theological truth: humanity's inherent sinfulness and need for atonement are constant, regardless of the occasion or the celebratory nature of the event. While the festival celebrated God's bountiful provision and faithfulness, it also served as a sober reminder that the people, despite their blessings, remained imperfect and prone to both intentional and unintentional sins or ritual impurities. The sin offering (or purification offering) was essential to cleanse these impurities and maintain the people's holy standing before God, ensuring that their worship and celebration were acceptable and not defiled by unaddressed sin. It prevented presumption and fostered humility, reminding Israel that even their greatest joys were sustained by God's grace and provision for sin, a theme vividly echoed in the instructions for [atonement for the sanctuary](/leviticus/16-16 "Leviticus 16:16 - Atonement for the Sanctuary").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:34, with its emphasis on the daily sin offering presented "beside the continual burnt offering," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The repeated animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant, including the goat for a sin offering, were inherently temporary and imperfect, serving as a constant reminder of sin's pervasive presence and the ongoing need for atonement. As [Hebrews 10:11](/hebrews/10-11 "Hebrews 10:11 - Priests Stand Daily Offering Sacrifices") explains, these offerings could only cover sins, never fully take them away, necessitating their continual repetition. However, Jesus Christ is the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the definitive fulfillment of every Old Testament sacrifice. His singular, once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, as described in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-11 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice"), achieved what no animal could: perfect and eternal redemption, purifying not just the flesh but the conscience from dead works. He became our "sin offering" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), bearing the full wrath of God for our transgressions, so that we might be declared righteous and reconciled to God. Thus, the continual need for atonement highlighted in Numbers 29:34 finds its glorious and complete resolution in Christ, who, unlike the Levitical offerings, perfectly and permanently reconciles humanity to God, establishing a new and living way through His blood ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ's Blood")) and providing eternal access to the Father.

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.