Numbers 29:38

KJV

And one goat [for] a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and 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}, and 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 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, and the meal-offering thereof, and the drink-offering thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:38 concludes the meticulous instructions for the eighth and final day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), also known as Shemini Atzeret. This verse specifies the offering of "one goat for a sin offering" alongside the daily "continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering." It underscores the persistent need for atonement and purification, even amidst joyous celebration, while simultaneously emphasizing the foundational and unbroken nature of Israel's daily worship and dependence on God's grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:38 is the culmination of an extensive legislative section spanning Numbers chapters 28 and 29, which meticulously details the sacrificial calendar for Israel's annual festivals. Specifically, it belongs to the instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a seven-day harvest festival followed by a distinct eighth day, Shemini Atzeret, a solemn assembly. While the preceding days of Sukkot saw a progressively decreasing number of bull offerings, the inclusion of a sin offering, alongside the enduring daily sacrifices, on this final, solemn day highlights a critical theological point: the persistent reality of sin and the ongoing need for atonement, even after a week of joyful communion and thanksgiving. This verse serves as a concluding summary, ensuring that the fundamental daily acts of worship were never superseded by the special festival requirements.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers 29:38 reflect the elaborate sacrificial system central to ancient Israelite worship, established at Mount Sinai and practiced within the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, deeply rooted in Israel's agricultural calendar as a harvest festival (Feast of Ingathering) and commemorating God's provision during their wilderness wanderings. The "sin offering" (Hebrew: *ḥaṭṭāʾt*) was crucial for ritually cleansing the people and the sanctuary from unintentional sins or impurities, ensuring the holiness required for God's presence among His people. The "continual burnt offering" (Hebrew: *ʿōlat hat-tāmîd*) was a daily morning and evening sacrifice, symbolizing Israel's unceasing dedication and the constant need for atonement, a practice foundational to their covenant relationship with Yahweh as described in [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38 "Exodus 29:38-42 - The Daily Burnt Offering").
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 29:38 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully reiterates the theme of **Atonement and Purification**. Even after a week of celebration and specific festival offerings, the necessity of a sin offering on the eighth day underscores the pervasive nature of human sin and ritual impurity, and God's meticulous provision for His people to remain in a state of holiness acceptable for His presence. Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Meticulousness and Holiness**. The precise details of the offerings demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty and His exacting standards for worship, emphasizing His holy character and the seriousness of approaching Him. Thirdly, the mention of the "continual burnt offering" reinforces the theme of **Continual Dependence and Worship**. It teaches that special acts of worship do not negate the need for daily, foundational devotion and acknowledgment of God's sustaining grace, a principle echoed throughout the Old Testament's sacrificial laws found in books like [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws of Offerings"). This continuity signifies an unbroken covenant relationship and Israel's ongoing reliance on God's provision for their spiritual well-being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sin offering (Hebrew, _ḥaṭṭāʾt'_):** This term refers to an offering made to purify from ritual impurity or unintentional sin, rather than a willful, high-handed transgression. It was crucial for cleansing the sanctuary and the people, making them fit to dwell in God's holy presence. The *ḥaṭṭāʾt* did not necessarily atone for moral guilt in the modern sense but restored the individual or community to a state of ritual purity, allowing them to participate in worship and maintain their covenant relationship. Its inclusion on the solemn eighth day underscores the persistent need for purification even amidst joyous celebration.
* **Continual (Hebrew, _tāmîd'_):** The word *tāmîd* signifies "continual," "regular," or "perpetual." When applied to the burnt offering (*ʿōlāh*), it denotes the daily, morning and evening sacrifice that was to be offered without interruption throughout the year. This emphasizes the unbroken nature of Israel's devotion to God and the constant provision for atonement and communion. Its presence in this verse highlights that special festival offerings were always *in addition to* and never a replacement for the foundational, daily acts of worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one goat [for] a sin offering":** This clause specifies a distinct sacrifice required on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The "sin offering" (ḥaṭṭāʾt) was designed to make atonement for unintentional sins or ritual impurities, thereby purifying the people and the sanctuary. Its inclusion on this final, solemn day, even after a week of extensive offerings, underscored the persistent reality of human imperfection and the ongoing need for God's provision for cleansing to maintain a holy relationship with Him.
* **"beside the continual burnt offering":** This phrase is crucial, indicating that the special festival offerings were always supplementary to the daily, foundational sacrifices. The "continual burnt offering" (ʿōlat hat-tāmîd) was offered every morning and evening, symbolizing Israel's perpetual dedication to God and the ongoing atonement for the community. Its mention here ensures that the fundamental rhythm of daily worship was not to be neglected or replaced by the elaborate festival rituals.
* **"and his meat offering, and his drink offering":** These refer to the accompanying grain (or meal) offering (*minḥah*) and libation (*nesek*) that were always presented with the burnt offering. The "meat offering" typically consisted of flour, oil, and frankincense, while the "drink offering" was usually wine poured out. These additional elements completed the sacrificial act, signifying the dedication of the worshiper's sustenance and life to God, and reinforcing the holistic nature of worship.

#### Literary Devices
The passage, and indeed the entire section of Numbers 28-29, is characterized by **Repetition** and **Formulaic Language**. The meticulous enumeration of sacrifices for each day of various festivals follows a predictable pattern, emphasizing the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of these commands. This **Didactic** style ensures clarity and precision in ritual observance. The inclusion of the "sin offering" on the eighth day, after a week of joyous celebration, functions as a form of **Contrast**, highlighting the enduring reality of sin even amidst festivity and the constant need for purification. Furthermore, the entire sacrificial system, including the specific offerings mentioned in Numbers 29:38, functions as **Symbolism**, pointing beyond the physical acts to deeper spiritual realities of atonement, dedication, and the holiness of God. The diminishing number of bull offerings throughout Sukkot, culminating in the distinct eighth day, also suggests a **Culmination** or winding down of the intense festival period, while retaining the essential elements of worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:38, with its emphasis on the sin offering and the continual burnt offering, serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of sin, holiness, and God's provision for His people. It reveals that despite periods of intense worship and celebration, the reality of human imperfection and the need for divine cleansing remain constant. The temporary and repetitive nature of these animal sacrifices underscored their inability to provide a permanent solution for sin, pointing forward to a greater, ultimate sacrifice. This verse, therefore, highlights God's unwavering commitment to maintain a holy presence among an imperfect people, establishing a system where forgiveness and fellowship were continually made possible, albeit through a shadow of the perfect reality to come. It teaches us about God's meticulous care in establishing a means for reconciliation and His desire for a people set apart for Himself.

* [Leviticus 4:27-31](/leviticus/4-27 "Leviticus 4:27-31 - Sin Offering for the Common Person")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow")
* [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 29:38, though detailing ancient rituals, offers profound spiritual truths for believers today. It serves as a vivid reminder of the persistent reality of sin in our lives and the constant, unfathomable need for God's grace and forgiveness. The meticulousness of God's instructions for the sin offering underscores the seriousness of sin and the absolute holiness required to approach Him. For us, this deepens our appreciation for the finished work of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled and transcended all Old Testament sacrifices. We no longer offer goats or bulls, but we live in light of His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, which has provided complete cleansing and direct, unhindered access to God. Furthermore, the "continual burnt offering" teaches us about the nature of ongoing devotion. Our worship is not merely for special occasions but is a daily, continuous offering of our lives, our praise, and our obedience, acknowledging our constant dependence on God's provision for our spiritual well-being and our call to live a life of holiness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the Old Testament sin offering deepen your appreciation for the singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ?**
* **In what ways can you, as a believer, live out the principle of a "continual offering" of worship and dedication in your daily life?**
* **What does God's meticulous attention to detail in these ancient commands reveal about His character and His desire for our relationship with Him?**

### FAQ

**Why was a sin offering still needed on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, after a week of celebration?**

Answer: The inclusion of a sin offering on the solemn eighth day (Shemini Atzeret) highlights the persistent reality of human sin and ritual impurity, even amidst joyous celebration and extensive offerings. Sin offerings (Hebrew: *ḥaṭṭāʾt*) were primarily for unintentional sins or ritual defilement, which could occur even during holy times. Their purpose was to purify the people and the sanctuary, ensuring that Israel remained in a state of holiness acceptable for God's continued presence among them. This demonstrated that while the feast celebrated God's provision and communion, the need for atonement for human imperfection was never fully satisfied by the temporary, animal sacrifices, underscoring a continuous reliance on God's grace.

**What is the significance of the "continual burnt offering" being mentioned alongside the festival offerings?**

Answer: The mention of the "continual burnt offering" (Hebrew: *ʿōlat hat-tāmîd*) is highly significant because it emphasizes that the special festival offerings, no matter how elaborate, were always *in addition to*, not *instead of*, the daily, foundational acts of worship. The "continual burnt offering" was a daily morning and evening sacrifice (see [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38 "Exodus 29:38-42 - The Daily Burnt Offering")), symbolizing Israel's unbroken dedication to God and the constant provision for atonement for the community. Its inclusion in Numbers 29:38 underscores the principle that foundational, consistent devotion to God is paramount and must never be neglected, even during peak celebratory or spiritual seasons.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:38, with its prescribed "one goat for a sin offering" and the enduring "continual burnt offering," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The goat for the sin offering, a temporary means of purification for unintentional sins and ritual impurities, powerfully prefigures [Jesus, the Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who became the perfect and final [sin offering for humanity](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices that had to be repeated daily and annually, Christ's sacrifice on the cross was a [once-for-all act](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice"), permanently taking away the sin of the world and providing complete cleansing for all who believe. Furthermore, the "continual burnt offering," symbolizing Israel's unceasing dedication and the constant need for atonement, is fulfilled in Christ's [perpetual intercession](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Perpetual Intercession") for His people at the right hand of God, and in the believer's ability to offer [continual spiritual sacrifices of praise and good deeds](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering Sacrifices of Praise") through Him. Through Christ, the need for animal sacrifices has ceased, and we now have [bold and confident access to God's presence](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence") by His blood, living in the reality that the Old Testament rituals only shadowed.

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.