Numbers 7:63

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

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}:

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

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

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

Commentary

Numbers 7:63 is part of a detailed account of the offerings brought by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel for the dedication of the newly constructed Tabernacle. This specific verse describes a component of the burnt offering presented by Ahiezer, the leader of the tribe of Dan, on the ninth day of the dedication ceremony.

Context

Following the construction and anointing of the Tabernacle as commanded by God, the various tribal princes were invited to bring their contributions. Numbers chapter 7 meticulously lists the identical offerings each leader presented over twelve consecutive days. These offerings were a significant act of worship and consecration, marking the Tabernacle as the central place for God's presence and worship among the Israelites in the wilderness. The repetition of the offerings underscores the unity and shared devotion of the tribes to the Lord and His dwelling place among them, as seen in Exodus 40:34.

Key Themes

  • Dedication and Consecration: The elaborate offerings symbolize the setting apart of the Tabernacle and, by extension, the entire nation of Israel, for God's holy purposes. It was an act of acknowledging God's sovereignty and presence.
  • Atonement and Worship: The "burnt offering" (Hebrew: 'olah, meaning "that which ascends") was entirely consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete devotion, surrender, and atonement for sin. It was an act of propitiation and a pleasing aroma to the Lord, as detailed in Leviticus 1.
  • God's Specificity in Worship: The precise instructions for the types and quantities of animals highlight God's desire for orderly and intentional worship. It teaches that approaching God must be on His terms, not ours.
  • Unity in Service: While each tribe brought their own offering, the exact nature of the offerings emphasizes the collective and unified commitment of all Israel to God's covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The term "burnt offering" translates the Hebrew word 'olah (Χ’ΦΉΧœΦΈΧ”), which literally means "that which goes up" or "that which ascends." This perfectly describes the nature of the sacrifice, where the entire animal (except for the skin, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. It signified complete surrender and devotion, making it a powerful symbol of reconciliation and worship.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind Numbers 7:63 remain relevant. The meticulousness of the offerings teaches us about the seriousness and reverence required in our approach to God. Today, our "burnt offering" is not of animals but of ourselves – a living sacrifice, wholly devoted to God. The perfection and completeness of the animals foreshadowed the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, by His one offering, has provided full and final atonement for our sins, making direct access to God possible.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

No cross-references found.

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