Numbers 29:8

KJV

But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD [for] a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, [and] seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish:

KJV (with Strong's)

But ye shall offer {H7126} a burnt offering {H5930} unto the LORD {H3068} for a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381}; one {H259} young {H1241} bullock {H6499}, one {H259} ram {H352}, and seven {H7651} lambs {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141}; they shall be unto you without blemish {H8549}:

Complete Jewish Bible

but you are to present a burnt offering to ADONAI to make a fragrant aroma: one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs in their first year (they are to be without defect for you),

Berean Standard Bible

Present as a pleasing aroma to the LORD a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,

American Standard Version

but ye shall offer a burnt-offering unto Jehovah for a sweet savor: one young bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old; they shall be unto you without blemish;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:8 meticulously prescribes the burnt offering for Shemini Atzeret, the solemn eighth day following the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). This verse specifies the exact animals—one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year—all required to be "without blemish," signifying their perfection and acceptability. It underscores God's precise demands for worship and atonement within the Israelite sacrificial system, emphasizing the offering's role as a "sweet savour" to the Lord, indicating divine acceptance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29 is a highly detailed chapter dedicated to outlining the specific daily offerings required for Israel's major annual feasts: the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and particularly the extensive Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) and its concluding solemn assembly, Shemini Atzeret. Verses 1-6 cover the first two feasts. Verses 7-11 detail the Day of Atonement. The bulk of the chapter, verses 12-34, is dedicated to the seven days of Sukkot, where the number of bullocks offered daily progressively decreases. Numbers 29:8, however, falls within the section (vv. 35-38) detailing the sacrifices for the eighth day, Shemini Atzeret. This distinct day, following the seven days of Sukkot, called for a specific set of offerings, different from the preceding days, marking it as a unique and culminating holy convocation. This meticulous enumeration highlights the divine ordering of Israelite worship and the importance of adhering to God's precise instructions for approaching Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelite festival calendar, as detailed in books like [Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Feasts of the LORD") and Numbers 28-29, was central to the nation's spiritual and agricultural life. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was a joyous harvest festival, commemorating God's provision during their wilderness wanderings and celebrating the ingathering of the harvest. It involved living in temporary shelters (booths or sukkot) for seven days. Shemini Atzeret, the "eighth day," was a distinct holy day, not merely an extension of Sukkot. It was a "solemn assembly" (as described in [Leviticus 23:36](/leviticus/23-36 "Leviticus 23:36 - Shemini Atzeret, a Solemn Assembly")), a time of reflection, prayer, and renewed dedication after the week of celebration. Its unique sacrificial requirements, distinct from the preceding seven days, underscored its singular significance as a final, concluding convocation of the autumn festival season, emphasizing God's enduring presence and the people's ongoing dependence on Him.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 29:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Prescription and Obedience**, emphasizing God's absolute authority over worship and the necessity for His people to meticulously follow His commands. The precise nature of the offerings, down to the number and type of animals, underscores this. Another key theme is **Holiness and Purity**, particularly highlighted by the "without blemish" requirement, which teaches that only what is perfect and pure is truly acceptable to a holy God. This principle pervades the Mosaic Law, from the construction of the tabernacle to the conduct of the priests. Furthermore, the concept of **Atonement and Acceptance** is central; the burnt offering served as a means of atonement, and its designation as a "sweet savour" confirmed God's gracious acceptance of the offering and, by extension, the worshipper. This foreshadows the ultimate means of acceptance found in the perfect sacrifice. The entire sacrificial system points to the greater reality of God's redemptive plan, a theme that culminates in the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt offering (Hebrew, _‘ōlāh_):** This specific type of offering, derived from a root meaning "to go up" or "ascend," was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, with nothing retained by the offerer or priests. It symbolized complete devotion, surrender, and atonement for sin. Unlike other offerings where portions were returned, the _‘ōlāh_ represented total dedication and the worshiper's desire for full acceptance and reconciliation with God.
* **Sweet savour (Hebrew, _rêaḥ nîḥōaḥ_):** This phrase literally means "a soothing or pleasing aroma." In the context of sacrifices, it signifies that the offering was acceptable, pleasing, and well-received by the LORD. It indicated God's gracious approval of the worship and the atonement made, demonstrating His willingness to commune with His people when they approached Him according to His prescribed ways.
* **Without blemish (Hebrew, _tāmîm_):** This crucial stipulation for all sacrificial animals meant they had to be physically perfect, free from any defect, disease, or imperfection. The term _tāmîm_ conveys completeness, soundness, and integrity. This requirement symbolized the absolute holiness and perfection of God, signifying that only what is perfect could be presented to Him. It also underscored the gravity of sin, which demands a perfect substitute, and profoundly prefigured the flawless nature of the ultimate sacrifice to come.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD [for] a sweet savour":** This clause issues a direct divine command for a specific type of sacrifice, the _‘ōlāh_, to be presented to Yahweh. The purpose is explicitly stated: it is to be a "sweet savour," indicating that the offering is intended to be pleasing and acceptable to God, securing His favor and demonstrating the worshiper's devotion. This highlights the intentionality and divine reception of the act of worship.
* **"one young bullock, one ram, [and] seven lambs of the first year":** This specifies the precise quantity and type of animals required for the burnt offering on Shemini Atzeret. The exactness of these numbers, differing from the decreasing bullock offerings of the preceding seven days of Sukkot, emphasizes the unique character of this eighth day and the meticulous nature of God's instructions. Each animal type carried its own significance, but collectively they formed the prescribed offering for this particular solemn assembly.
* **"they shall be unto you without blemish":** This final, non-negotiable condition applies to all the animals specified. It reiterates the fundamental principle that any animal presented as a sacrifice to God must be physically perfect, free from any defect. This requirement underscored the holiness of God and the perfection demanded of anything offered in His presence, serving as a constant reminder of the high standards for approaching the divine and the inherent flawlessness required for true atonement.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 29:8, like much of the sacrificial legislation in the Pentateuch, employs **Prescriptive Language**, issuing direct commands and detailed instructions for ritual practice. This creates a sense of divine authority and the necessity of strict adherence. The verse also utilizes **Symbolism**: the "burnt offering" itself symbolizes complete dedication and atonement, the "sweet savour" symbolizes divine acceptance and pleasure, and the requirement for animals to be "without blemish" powerfully symbolizes the holiness of God and the perfection required for reconciliation. There is also an element of **Repetition** of key phrases and concepts (like "burnt offering" and "without blemish") throughout Numbers 28-29, which serves to reinforce the importance and consistency of these divine stipulations across various feasts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:8, embedded within the intricate sacrificial system of the Old Covenant, profoundly illustrates God's unyielding holiness and His gracious provision for humanity's approach to Him. The meticulous nature of the commands underscores that true worship is not arbitrary but must align with divine prescription. The concept of a "sweet savour" reveals God's desire for a relationship with His people, one where their offerings, made in faith and obedience, are genuinely acceptable to Him. This acceptance, however, is predicated on the "without blemish" requirement, a constant reminder that sin renders humanity imperfect and incapable of approaching a perfect God without a flawless substitute. The entire system, therefore, functions as a pedagogical tool, teaching Israel about the gravity of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the character of the God they served, all while pointing forward to a greater, more perfect reality.

* [Leviticus 1:9](/leviticus/1-9 "Leviticus 1:9 - Burnt Offering as a Sweet Aroma")
* [Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Exodus 12:5 - The Spotless Passover Lamb")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood There is No Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers in Christ are no longer bound by the Old Testament sacrificial laws, Numbers 29:8 offers enduring spiritual principles for our lives today. The meticulousness of God's commands for the ancient Israelites challenges us to consider the intentionality and excellence of our own worship. Our "offerings" today are not animal sacrifices, but lives of devotion, service, and praise. Just as the animals had to be "without blemish," we are called to strive for holiness and purity of heart, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")). Understanding the precise nature of these ancient rituals deepens our appreciation for the sufficiency and perfection of Christ's sacrifice, which truly was the ultimate "sweet savour" to the Father, securing our redemption and enabling us to approach God with confidence. Our lives, transformed by His grace, can now become a spiritual aroma pleasing to Him, reflecting His character and purposes in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of God's commands in Numbers 29:8 inform our approach to worship and obedience today?**
* **In what ways can we offer ourselves as a "sweet savour" to the Lord in our daily lives, reflecting the "without blemish" principle of purity and excellence?**
* **How does understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system deepen our appreciation for the singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is Shemini Atzeret, and how does it relate to the Feast of Tabernacles?**

Answer: Shemini Atzeret, literally "the Eighth Day of Assembly," is a distinct holy day that immediately follows the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). While closely associated with Sukkot, it is considered a separate festival, a "solemn assembly" as described in [Leviticus 23:36](/leviticus/23-36 "Leviticus 23:36 - Shemini Atzeret, a Solemn Assembly"). Unlike Sukkot, which involved dwelling in temporary booths, Shemini Atzeret did not require this. Its unique set of offerings, as detailed in Numbers 29:35-38 (including verse 8), also differentiated it from the preceding days of Sukkot. It served as a concluding convocation, a final day of reflection, prayer, and renewed dedication after the week of harvest celebration, emphasizing God's enduring presence with His people.

**Why were the animals required to be "without blemish"?**

Answer: The requirement for sacrificial animals to be "without blemish" (Hebrew: _tāmîm_) was profoundly symbolic and practical. Symbolically, it underscored the absolute holiness and perfection of God; only that which was perfect could be offered to a perfect God. It taught the Israelites that compromise or imperfection was unacceptable in their approach to the divine. Practically, it ensured that the best of the flock or herd was offered, preventing people from giving God inferior or diseased animals, as condemned in [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "Malachi 1:8 - Offering Blemished Sacrifices"). Most significantly, this requirement served as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was without sin and thus the only truly "unblemished" offering capable of atoning for humanity's imperfections.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:8, with its emphasis on a "burnt offering" as a "sweet savour" and the stringent requirement for animals "without blemish," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the specific offerings for Shemini Atzeret, served as a shadow pointing to the reality of Christ's singular sacrifice. The "burnt offering," representing complete devotion and atonement, is perfectly embodied in Christ, who offered Himself entirely and without reservation on the cross, a full and final propitiation for sin ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's One Sacrifice Perfects Believers")). His sacrifice was the true "sweet savour" to God, perfectly acceptable and pleasing, securing reconciliation and peace between God and humanity ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering")). Crucially, the "without blemish" stipulation is fulfilled in Christ, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who knew no sin and was therefore the only perfect sacrifice capable of taking away the sin of the world ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ")). In Him, the need for repeated, imperfect animal sacrifices ceased, for His one offering perfected for all time those who are being sanctified ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's One Sacrifice Perfects Believers")).

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.

Cross-References

Numbers 29:13

And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, [and] fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:

Numbers 28:19

But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish:

Numbers 29:2

And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, [and] seven lambs of the first year without blemish: