Numbers 29:5

KJV

And one kid of the goats [for] a sin offering, to make an atonement for you:

KJV (with Strong's)

And one {H259} kid {H8163} of the goats {H5795} for a sin offering {H2403}, to make an atonement {H3722} for you:

Complete Jewish Bible

also one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you.

Berean Standard Bible

Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you.

American Standard Version

and one he-goat for a sin-offering, to make atonement for you;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:5 specifies the inclusion of a kid of the goats as a sin offering within the elaborate sacrificial liturgy for the Feast of Trumpets, a significant annual festival. This particular instruction underscores the perpetual need for purification and reconciliation for the Israelite community, even amidst joyous national celebrations. It highlights God's meticulous provision for His people to address their sin and ritual impurity, thereby enabling them to maintain a right relationship with a holy God and ensuring the efficacy of the broader sacrificial system for atonement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29 is a detailed liturgical calendar, outlining the specific sacrifices required for the major annual festivals: the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) on the first day of the seventh month ([Numbers 29:1-6](/numbers/29-1 "Numbers 29:1-6 - Offerings for the Feast of Trumpets")), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) on the tenth day ([Numbers 29:7-11](/numbers/29-7 "Numbers 29:7-11 - Offerings for the Day of Atonement")), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) from the fifteenth to the twenty-second day ([Numbers 29:12-38](/numbers/29-12 "Numbers 29:12-38 - Offerings for the Feast of Tabernacles")). Numbers 29:5 specifically falls within the instructions for the Feast of Trumpets, detailing "one kid of the goats for a sin offering" in addition to the extensive burnt offerings. This immediate placement emphasizes that even at the very beginning of the autumn festival cycle, a sin offering was indispensable, signifying the foundational and ongoing need for purification before God. The meticulous repetition of the sin offering throughout the chapter, particularly during the lengthy Feast of Tabernacles, reinforces its constant necessity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The sacrificial system, as detailed in the Pentateuch, was central to Israelite worship and their covenant relationship with Yahweh. In a culture deeply aware of purity and impurity, and where access to the divine presence was strictly mediated, sin offerings played a vital role in maintaining ritual cleanness and communal holiness. The "kid of the goats" was a common sacrificial animal, accessible to the community. These offerings were not merely symbolic but were understood to have real efficacy in "covering" (the meaning of `kaphar`, atonement) unintentional sins and ritual defilements, thereby preventing divine judgment and allowing God's presence to remain among His people in the Tabernacle. The annual feasts, like the Feast of Trumpets, were times of national gathering, reflection, and renewal, where the collective sin of the community needed to be addressed.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 29:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the **Holiness of God** and the absolute necessity of purity for humanity to approach Him. The constant need for sin offerings underscores the pervasive nature of human sin and impurity in the sight of a holy God, even among His chosen people. Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Gracious Provision** for atonement. Despite human sinfulness, God Himself institutes the means by which His people can be cleansed and reconciled, demonstrating His mercy and desire for fellowship rather than immediate judgment. This is a recurring theme seen from the earliest covenants, such as with Noah in [Genesis 8:20-22](/genesis/8-20 "Genesis 8:20-22 - Noah's Sacrifice and God's Promise"), and is foundational to understanding the entire sacrificial system outlined in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - The Book of Sacrifices and Holiness"). Finally, the verse subtly points to the theme of **Substitutionary Atonement**, where an innocent animal's life is given to "make an atonement" for the people, foreshadowing a greater, ultimate sacrifice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kid of the goats (Hebrew, _śe'îr 'izzîm'_):** This phrase refers to a young male goat. In the Israelite sacrificial system, goats were frequently used for sin offerings, particularly for the community or for leaders, as prescribed in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for Sin Offerings"). The specific age and gender of the animal were often stipulated, indicating the meticulous nature of God's commands and the value placed on the offering. The "kid of the goats" was a common and accessible animal for sacrifice, making the sin offering a regular and practical component of communal worship.
* **Sin offering (Hebrew, _ḥaṭṭā't'_):** This is one of the primary types of offerings in the Mosaic Law, distinct from burnt offerings (olah), peace offerings (shelamim), and guilt offerings (asham). While `ḥaṭṭā't` literally means "sin," in the cultic context, it refers to the sacrifice offered to atone for unintentional sins, ritual impurities, or breaches of ceremonial law that defiled the worshiper or the sanctuary. Its purpose was purification and cleansing, restoring the worshiper to a state of ritual purity and fellowship with God. The blood of the `ḥaṭṭā't` was applied to the altar or even brought into the holy place, signifying its cleansing power.
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kāpar'_):** The verb `kāpar` means "to cover," "to purge," "to make propitiation," or "to reconcile." In the context of the sacrificial system, it describes the divine act by which sin and impurity are dealt with, allowing a holy God to dwell among His sinful people without consuming them. It is not merely a covering up of sin but a purging or nullification of its defiling effects, restoring the broken relationship and removing the barrier between God and humanity. This term is central to understanding God's provision for dealing with sin throughout the Old Testament.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one kid of the goats":** This specifies the precise animal required for the offering, emphasizing the exactitude of God's liturgical commands. The singular "one" highlights that this particular animal is distinct and set apart for its specific purpose within the larger array of sacrifices. Its designation as a "kid of the goats" points to its suitability for a sin offering, a common requirement for this type of sacrifice.
* **"[for] a sin offering":** This clause explicitly states the purpose of the animal – it is designated as a `ḥaṭṭā't`. This clarifies its function within the sacrificial economy, distinguishing it from burnt offerings (which focused on dedication) or peace offerings (which focused on fellowship). The sin offering's primary role was to address sin and impurity, making it foundational for the community's ongoing relationship with God.
* **"to make an atonement for you":** This final phrase reveals the ultimate goal and efficacy of the sin offering. The phrase "for you" indicates that the atonement is for the benefit of the Israelite community, collectively and individually, who are participating in the festival. The purpose of the sacrifice is not merely ritualistic but deeply theological: to reconcile, purify, and restore the relationship between a holy God and His people, enabling them to stand in His presence despite their imperfections.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 29:5, though brief, employs several literary devices characteristic of legal and cultic texts in the Pentateuch. The most prominent is **Precision** and **Specificity**, evident in the exact designation of "one kid of the goats" and its explicit purpose "for a sin offering." This meticulous detail underscores the divine origin and authority of these commands, leaving no room for ambiguity in the performance of sacred rites. There is also an element of **Repetition** throughout Numbers 29, as the sin offering, along with other sacrifices, is mandated for each day of the extended Feast of Tabernacles. This repetition emphasizes the constant and ongoing need for atonement, not just a one-time event, reflecting the persistent reality of sin and impurity. Finally, the verse functions as a **Type** or **Shadow**, pointing forward to a greater reality. While not a literary device in the strict sense, its theological function as a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice is inherent in its design within the broader biblical narrative, where the temporary and repeated nature of these offerings highlights their incompleteness without a perfect fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:5, by mandating a sin offering for atonement, encapsulates core theological truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity. It reveals God's absolute holiness, which necessitates a means of purification for sinful humanity to approach Him. It also profoundly demonstrates His boundless grace and mercy, as He Himself provides the way for reconciliation rather than demanding perfection or immediate judgment. The repeated nature of these Old Testament sin offerings, particularly during festive occasions, underscores that sin was a constant reality requiring ongoing divine provision. This system, though temporary, served as a divine pedagogy, teaching Israel about the gravity of sin, the necessity of blood for remission, and God's initiative in restoring fellowship.

* [Leviticus 4:27-31](/leviticus/4-27 "Leviticus 4:27-31 - Sin Offering for an Individual")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Forgiveness")
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the profound spiritual principles embedded in Numbers 29:5 remain deeply relevant for believers today. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and our ongoing need for divine cleansing, even in moments of worship and celebration. It challenges any notion of self-sufficiency in approaching God, instead directing our gaze to His gracious provision. Understanding the meticulous and repetitive nature of the sin offering in ancient Israel should deepen our appreciation for the singular, perfect, and eternally effective sacrifice of Christ. It calls us to live in continuous gratitude for the complete atonement He has secured, fostering a posture of humility and dependence on His finished work, rather than our own efforts. It also encourages us to live lives that reflect the purity and holiness that Christ has imparted to us, recognizing the immense cost of our redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the repeated necessity of the sin offering in the Old Testament deepen your appreciation for Christ's "once for all" sacrifice?**
* **In what ways does this verse remind you of God's initiative and grace in providing a way for reconciliation, rather than our own ability to earn it?**
* **How might understanding the purpose of the sin offering influence your daily walk and your approach to confession and forgiveness?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the sin offering in the Old Testament?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the sin offering (`ḥaṭṭā't`) was to atone for unintentional sins, ritual impurities, and breaches of ceremonial law that defiled the individual or the sanctuary. Unlike guilt offerings (for specific wrongs against God or neighbor), the sin offering focused on cleansing and purification, restoring the worshiper to a state of ritual purity and enabling them to maintain fellowship with a holy God. It addressed the defiling nature of sin, making it possible for God's presence to remain among His people without judgment, as detailed in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for Sin Offerings").

**How does Numbers 29:5 relate to the concept of atonement in the Bible?**

Answer: Numbers 29:5 explicitly states that the sin offering is "to make an atonement for you." The Hebrew word for atonement, `kāpar`, signifies "to cover," "to purge," or "to reconcile." This verse illustrates God's provision for dealing with human sin and impurity through a prescribed ritual, allowing for reconciliation and the restoration of a right relationship between God and His people. It demonstrates that atonement is a divine act, initiated by God, through which the defiling effects of sin are addressed, enabling sinful humanity to approach His holy presence. This concept is foundational to understanding God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture, culminating in Christ's ultimate sacrifice, as seen in [Romans 5:11](/romans/5-11 "Romans 5:11 - Reconciliation Through Christ").

**Does this verse imply that sin offerings were needed even during times of celebration?**

Answer: Yes, absolutely. Numbers 29:5 is part of the instructions for the Feast of Trumpets, a joyous and significant national celebration. The inclusion of a sin offering even amidst such festive occasions underscores the pervasive nature of sin and impurity in the sight of a holy God. It highlights that even in moments of worship, thanksgiving, and national unity, the need for purification and reconciliation was constant. This emphasizes that human sinfulness is a continuous reality that requires ongoing divine provision for atonement, preventing defilement from hindering fellowship with God, even during the most sacred times.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:5, with its emphasis on a "sin offering" to "make an atonement for you," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The repeated, temporary, and animal-based sin offerings of the Old Covenant, like the kid of the goats, served as types and shadows pointing to the one, perfect, and eternal sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Unlike the Old Testament priests who had to offer sacrifices daily and yearly for sins ([Hebrews 10:11](/hebrews/10-11 "Hebrews 10:11 - Old Covenant Sacrifices Repeatedly Offered")), Christ offered Himself "once for all" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")), by which we have been sanctified. His blood, unlike that of goats and calves, truly cleanses consciences and secures an eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12-14](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Jesus became our ultimate `ḥaṭṭā't`, the very sin offering, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His death on the cross, He made propitiation (`kāpar`) for the sins of the world, perfectly reconciling humanity to God and fulfilling every shadow of the Old Testament sacrificial system, providing complete and everlasting atonement for all who believe ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation")).

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.