Numbers 7:21

KJV

One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

KJV (with Strong's)

One {H259} young {H1241} bullock {H6499}, one {H259} ram {H352}, one {H259} lamb {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141}, for a burnt offering {H5930}:

Complete Jewish Bible

one young bull, one ram, one male lamb in its first year as a burnt offering,

Berean Standard Bible

one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering;

American Standard Version

one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb a year old, for a burnt-offering;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 7:21 is a precise enumeration of the animals offered by each tribal leader for a burnt offering during the dedication of the Tabernacle. This verse, part of a larger repetitive passage, underscores the meticulous nature of divine instruction for worship and the unified devotion of the Israelite tribes as they consecrated the newly established dwelling place of God in their midst. It highlights the value and specific requirements of sacrifices designed to express complete surrender and atonement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 7:21 is embedded within a highly structured and repetitive narrative spanning [Numbers 7:10-88](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - Offerings of the Tribal Leaders"). This extensive chapter meticulously records the identical offerings brought by each of the twelve tribal leaders over twelve consecutive days for the dedication of the newly consecrated Tabernacle. Following its construction and anointing (as detailed in [Numbers 7:1](/numbers/7-1 "Numbers 7:1 - Consecration of the Tabernacle")), the Tabernacle became the central locus of God's presence and worship for Israel in the wilderness. The repetition of the exact same list of offerings for each tribe, including the burnt offering specified in verse 21, emphasizes the unity, obedience, and equal commitment required from all segments of the Israelite community in their corporate worship and dedication to the Lord.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of the Tabernacle marked a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, signifying God's permanent dwelling among His people after their exodus from Egypt. The offerings described, particularly the burnt offering, were central to ancient Israelite worship, rooted in the sacrificial system established by God at Mount Sinai (e.g., [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering")). These sacrifices served multiple purposes: expressing devotion, seeking atonement for sin, and establishing communion with God. The specific animals—a bullock, a ram, and a lamb of the first year—represented significant economic value, indicating that the best and most precious were to be given to the Lord as an act of profound reverence and obedience. The meticulous nature of these offerings reflects a culture where ritual purity and adherence to divine law were paramount for maintaining a right relationship with a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _‘olah_):** Derived from the root עָלָה (_‘alah_), meaning "to ascend" or "to go up," the _‘olah_ was unique among Israelite sacrifices in that the entire animal (excluding the hide, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire on the altar, its smoke ascending to God. This complete consumption symbolized total dedication, surrender, and devotion to God, signifying the worshiper's desire for full communion and acceptance without reservation. It was often offered as a general act of worship or to atone for unintentional sin.
* **Lamb of the first year (Hebrew, _keves ben-shanah_):** This specific designation for the lamb emphasizes its youth, purity, and lack of blemish, making it a perfect and acceptable sacrifice. The phrase "of the first year" denotes an animal that is still in its prime, healthy, and untainted by age or injury. This requirement underscores the principle that only the finest, most unblemished offerings were suitable for presentation to a holy God, reflecting the worshiper's commitment to giving their absolute best.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"One young bullock,"**: This specifies a male calf, typically one to three years old, signifying a valuable and robust animal. The bullock was the largest and most costly of the animals prescribed for the burnt offering, representing a substantial gift and a significant act of devotion, often associated with offerings for the community or for leaders.
* **"one ram,"**: A male sheep, mature but not necessarily old, the ram was a common sacrificial animal. Its inclusion alongside the bullock and lamb demonstrates a comprehensive offering, encompassing different types of valuable livestock, further emphasizing the completeness and richness of the dedication.
* **"one lamb of the first year,"**: This refers to a male lamb, approximately one year old, specifically chosen for its youth and presumed purity, as required for acceptable sacrifices. The "lamb of the first year" was considered unblemished and ideal, embodying innocence and perfection, a vital characteristic for any offering presented before God.
* **"for a burnt offering:"**: This concluding phrase explicitly states the purpose of these animals. They were designated for the _‘olah_, the whole burnt offering, which was entirely consumed by fire on the altar. This type of offering symbolized total surrender, complete devotion, and the worshiper's desire for full acceptance and atonement before God, with the ascending smoke representing a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 7:21, as part of the broader chapter, prominently features **Repetition** and **Formulaic Language**. The exact same list of animals for the burnt offering is repeated twelve times, once for each tribal leader. This meticulous repetition is not merely for emphasis but serves to underscore the unity of the tribes in their worship, their collective adherence to divine instruction, and the precise, unchanging nature of God's requirements for approaching Him. Furthermore, the selection of specific animals (bullock, ram, lamb) carries significant **Symbolism**. Each animal, in its value and characteristics (e.g., the purity of the "lamb of the first year"), symbolically represents the worshiper's best and most precious offering, signifying complete devotion and the desire for unblemished acceptance before a holy God. The act of the "burnt offering" itself is symbolic of total consecration and atonement, with the ascending smoke representing a pleasing aroma to the Lord. The extreme **Precision** in detailing the animals highlights the importance of exact obedience to God's commands in all matters of worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 7:21, in its precise enumeration of sacrificial animals, profoundly illustrates the Old Covenant's emphasis on atonement, dedication, and the meticulous nature of approaching a holy God. The burnt offering, entirely consumed, symbolized complete surrender and the worshiper's desire for full acceptance. This act of giving the best and most valuable animals underscored the costliness of approaching God and the seriousness of sin, even as it provided a temporary means of reconciliation. The uniformity of the offerings across all tribes also highlighted the unity of Israel in their worship and their shared covenant relationship with Yahweh. Ultimately, these repeated, costly sacrifices pointed forward to a greater, final offering.

* [Leviticus 1:3-9](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3-9 - Laws of the Burnt Offering")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Atonement")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, Numbers 7:21 offers enduring lessons for contemporary believers. The principle of giving our "best" to God remains paramount. Just as the Israelites brought valuable animals, we are called to offer our most precious resources—our time, talents, finances, and even our very lives—as acts of worship and dedication. This verse challenges us to consider if our service and devotion are truly "whole burnt offerings," consumed by our love for God, or if we hold back portions for ourselves. It calls us to a life of complete surrender, where every aspect of our being is consecrated to Him. Furthermore, the unity reflected in the identical offerings of the tribes reminds us of the importance of corporate worship and the need for the body of Christ to be united in purpose and devotion, collectively seeking to honor God according to His revealed will. Our worship, whether individual or communal, should always stem from a heart of reverence, obedience, and gratitude for God's holiness and His provision for our atonement.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I holding back from offering my "best" to God?**
* **How can my daily life become more of a "burnt offering," a complete act of surrender and devotion to God?**
* **What does the uniformity of the tribal offerings teach me about unity and obedience in corporate worship today?**

### FAQ

**Why were these specific animals (bullock, ram, lamb) required for the burnt offering?**

Answer: The selection of a young bullock, a ram, and a lamb of the first year for the burnt offering was significant for several reasons. Firstly, these animals represented increasing levels of value and purity, from the costly bullock to the unblemished lamb of the first year. This variety ensured that the offering was substantial and comprehensive, reflecting a complete dedication. Secondly, each animal had symbolic significance within the sacrificial system, often representing different aspects of the worshiper's offering or the nature of the atonement. The "lamb of the first year," in particular, emphasized purity and innocence, a crucial characteristic for an offering presented to a holy God. The specific requirements for these animals, as detailed throughout [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering"), underscored the meticulousness and precision God demanded in worship, ensuring that only the finest and most appropriate sacrifices were brought before Him.

**What was the primary spiritual significance of the "burnt offering" (olah) compared to other sacrifices?**

Answer: The "burnt offering" (Hebrew: _‘olah_) held a unique and profound spiritual significance. Unlike other sacrifices where portions were returned to the worshiper or given to the priests, the _‘olah_ was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, with its smoke ascending to God. This complete consumption symbolized total dedication, absolute surrender, and unreserved devotion to God. It was an offering of "wholeness" where the worshiper sought complete acceptance and communion with God, signifying that their entire being was consecrated to Him. While it also had an atoning aspect for unintentional sins, its primary emphasis was on expressing profound reverence, worship, and the desire for reconciliation and fellowship with a holy God. It was often offered as a general act of worship or to initiate a covenant relationship, as seen in the dedication of the Tabernacle in [Numbers 7](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - Offerings of the Tribal Leaders").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 7:21, with its detailed prescription for the burnt offering, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year" collectively point to the singular, perfect sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ. Unlike these Old Covenant sacrifices, which needed to be repeated daily and annually (as highlighted in [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law's Inability to Perfect")), Christ's offering of Himself was a "once for all" sacrifice (as declared in [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Just as the burnt offering was entirely consumed, symbolizing complete dedication and acceptance, Christ's sacrifice was a full and complete surrender to the Father's will, perfectly pleasing to God and providing eternal redemption. The purity and "first year" quality of the lamb foreshadowed Christ's sinless nature, for He was the [spotless Lamb](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Redeemed by Christ's Precious Blood") without blemish, whose precious blood alone could truly take away the sin of the world. Through His perfect offering, we are granted direct access to God, fulfilling the symbolic ascent of the burnt offering in a new and living way (as described in [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God through Christ")).

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.