Numbers 7:75

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 7:75 meticulously details a specific component of the dedication offerings presented by the leaders of the Israelite tribes for the newly consecrated Tabernacle. On the eleventh day of this grand ceremony, Pagiel, the leader of the tribe of Asher, brought a burnt offering consisting of one young bullock, one ram, and one lamb of the first year. This precise enumeration underscores the rigid requirements for worship in the Old Covenant, the complete devotion symbolized by the burnt offering, and the unified consecration of the sacred space where God would dwell among His people, highlighting the costliness and purity demanded in approaching a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 7:75 is situated within a lengthy and highly detailed account (Numbers 7:1-88) of the dedication of the Tabernacle, which had recently been erected and anointed, as recorded in [Numbers 7:1](/numbers/7-1 "Numbers 7:1 - Anointing of the Tabernacle"). Following this anointing, the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel brought identical offerings over twelve consecutive days, with each day dedicated to a different tribal leader. Verse 75 specifically records the burnt offering component presented by Pagiel, the leader of the tribe of Asher, on the eleventh day of this grand dedication ceremony. The preceding verses ([Numbers 7:73-74](/numbers/7-73-74 "Numbers 7:73-74 - Asher's Other Offerings")) detail the other elements of Asher's offering, making verse 75 a precise continuation of a highly structured and repetitive narrative designed to emphasize the completeness and uniformity of the tribal contributions, reinforcing the divine order and communal obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of the Tabernacle marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, signifying the establishment of God's dwelling place among His people in the wilderness, fulfilling the divine instructions given in [Exodus 25-40](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-40 - Tabernacle Construction and Consecration"). The offerings, including the burnt offering, were not merely symbolic gestures but were crucial acts of consecration, purification, and worship, essential for establishing and maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The specific animals—bullock, ram, and lamb—were standard sacrificial animals in the ancient Near East, chosen for their purity, lack of blemish, and significant value, ensuring that the offering was a costly and meaningful act of devotion. The "burnt offering" (Hebrew: `olah`) was unique in that the entire animal (except for the hide, which went to the priests) was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete surrender and atonement for general sin, making it a foundational element of Israelite worship as outlined in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Law of the Burnt Offering").
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of [Numbers 7](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - Offerings of the Leaders"), contributes to several major theological and narrative themes. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Presence and Holiness**, as the Tabernacle's dedication ensures God's dwelling among His people, yet simultaneously underscores His absolute holiness, demanding perfect and costly sacrifices. The **Necessity of Atonement and Consecration** is highlighted by the burnt offering, which served to purify and dedicate both the sacred space and the worshiper. The **Theme of Obedience** is powerfully conveyed through the meticulous adherence to God's precise instructions for the offerings, demonstrating Israel's willingness to follow divine command. Finally, the **Unity and Participation of the Tribes** is evident in the identical offerings from each leader, emphasizing a communal act of worship and dedication to the covenant. These themes collectively establish the foundation for Israel's relationship with Yahweh in the wilderness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _‘ōlāh'_):** This term (H5930, עֹלָה) literally means "that which ascends" or "goes up." It refers to a type of sacrifice where the entire animal, with the exception of its hide, was completely consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. Unlike other offerings where portions were eaten by priests or worshipers, the `‘ōlāh` was wholly given to God, symbolizing complete devotion, total surrender, and full atonement for unintentional sin or general impurity. Its complete consumption underscored the worshiper's desire for full communion with God, signifying a gift entirely dedicated to the Lord.
* **Lamb of the First Year (Hebrew, _kebes ben-shānāh'_):** This phrase describes the specific type and age of the lamb. `Kebes` (H3532, כֶּבֶשׂ) refers to a young ram or lamb, specifically one "just old enough to butt," indicating a youthful, vigorous animal. The phrase "of the first year" is `ben-shānāh`, combining `bên` (H1121, בֵּן), meaning "son" or "of," and `shānāh` (H8141, שָׁנָה), meaning "year." Together, `ben-shānāh` denotes an animal in its first year of life, signifying it is young, unblemished, and at the peak of its purity and vitality. This requirement emphasized the offering of the very best and most perfect animal, free from any defects or imperfections, signifying the worshiper's commitment to giving God a sacrifice of the highest quality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year,"**: This clause meticulously lists the specific animals required for this particular component of the offering. The "young bullock" (H1241, H6499) represents a substantial and costly sacrifice, indicating significant value and commitment. The "ram" (H352) is also a valuable animal, often associated with strength or leadership. The "lamb of the first year" (H3532, H1121, H8141) signifies purity, innocence, and perfection, being unblemished and in its prime. The precise enumeration of "one" (H259) of each type highlights the specific and non-negotiable nature of God's commands for worship, emphasizing divine order and adherence to precise instruction.
* **"for a burnt offering:"**: This phrase explicitly states the purpose of these animals. They are designated as an `‘ōlāh` (H5930), a burnt offering, which as discussed, symbolizes complete surrender, total devotion, and atonement. The inclusion of this specific type of offering within the Tabernacle dedication underscores the need for purification and consecration, both for the sacred space and for the people who would interact with God there. It signifies that the Tabernacle, and by extension, Israel's presence before God, required a full and unreserved dedication, demonstrating a desire for reconciliation and communion.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 7:75, as part of the broader chapter, employs several impactful literary techniques. **Precision** and **Detailing** are paramount, evident in the exact enumeration of each animal ("one young bullock, one ram, one lamb"). This meticulous listing is not merely informative but serves to emphasize the absolute adherence to divine command required in worship and the immense value placed on these offerings. The **Repetition** of these exact offering specifications for each of the twelve tribes throughout [Numbers 7](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - The Dedication Offerings") creates a powerful cumulative effect, underscoring the unity of the tribes in their devotion and obedience, and the unchanging nature of God's requirements for approaching His holiness. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is inherent in the animals themselves: the bullock, ram, and unblemished lamb all symbolize valuable, pure, and acceptable sacrifices, pointing to the costliness and perfection demanded in approaching a holy God. The very act of the "burnt offering" is a profound **Metaphor** for total surrender and complete devotion, where the ascending smoke visually represents the worshiper's entire being rising to God in an act of worship and atonement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 7:75 profoundly illustrates the Old Testament principles of consecration, atonement, and obedient worship. The detailed and costly nature of the offerings underscores God's absolute holiness, which demands a perfect and complete sacrifice, and His gracious provision for His people to meet these requirements. The burnt offering, in particular, symbolized total devotion and served as a means of atonement for general sin, signifying a worshiper's complete surrender to God. This act of giving the best and all of it to God established a pattern of worship characterized by intentionality, reverence, and a recognition of divine authority. It also highlighted the communal aspect of Israel's worship, as all tribes participated in this unified act of dedication, demonstrating their collective commitment to the covenant.

* [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Requirements for a Burnt Offering")
* [Exodus 29:18](/exodus/29-18 "Exodus 29:18 - A Pleasing Aroma to the Lord")
* [Deuteronomy 12:6](/deuteronomy/12-6 "Deuteronomy 12:6 - Offerings to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous detail of Numbers 7:75, specifying the precise animals for a burnt offering, serves as a powerful reminder of the intentionality and completeness God desires in our worship. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the underlying principles of wholehearted devotion and surrender remain profoundly relevant. This passage calls us to consider the quality of our offerings to God today – not just in terms of material possessions, but our time, talents, attention, and affections. Are we offering God our "first year" best, or merely what is left over? True worship is costly; it demands our full selves, a "living sacrifice" as exhorted in [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices"). It's about recognizing God's absolute holiness and our complete dependence on Him, leading to a life of humble obedience and joyful surrender. This verse challenges us to examine the depth of our commitment and to ensure that our worship, in all its forms, is characterized by the same precision, purity, and wholeheartedness that God required of ancient Israel, reflecting a genuine desire to honor Him in every aspect of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the meticulous detail of this offering teach us about God's character and His expectations for worship?**
* **How can we, as believers today, offer ourselves as a "living sacrifice" in a way that parallels the completeness of the Old Testament burnt offering?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be holding back from offering your "first year" best to God?**
* **How does the unity of the tribes in their offerings inspire us to pursue corporate worship and dedication within the body of Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the specific animals listed: a bullock, a ram, and a lamb?**

Answer: The selection of these specific animals—a young bullock, a ram, and a lamb of the first year—was highly significant within the Israelite sacrificial system. Each animal represented a different level of value and purity. The bullock was the largest and most costly, often used for significant communal or priestly offerings, symbolizing a substantial dedication and the gravity of the occasion. The ram was also a valuable animal, often associated with strength or leadership. The lamb of the first year was particularly important; its youth and "first year" designation emphasized its unblemished purity and perfection, as only the finest and most perfect animals, free from any defect, were acceptable for sacrifice. Together, they represent a comprehensive and costly offering, signifying the worshiper's commitment to giving God the very best and a complete surrender in atonement and devotion. This variety also ensured that the offering was adequate for the solemn occasion of the Tabernacle's dedication, covering various aspects of purification and consecration necessary for God's holy presence.

**Why is there so much repetition and detail about offerings in Numbers 7?**

Answer: The extensive repetition and meticulous detail in [Numbers 7](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - The Dedication of the Tabernacle") serve several crucial purposes. First, it emphasizes the **absolute importance and sacredness** of the Tabernacle's dedication. Every aspect of worship and consecration was divinely ordained and had to be executed with precision, underscoring that God's commands are to be followed exactly. Second, the uniformity of the offerings across all twelve tribes highlights **unity and obedience** within Israel; despite their distinct tribal identities, all tribes participated equally in this foundational act of worship, demonstrating their collective submission to God's covenant. Third, the detail underscores God's **holiness and His demand for perfection** in approaching Him. It teaches that worship is not arbitrary but must conform to God's revealed will, reflecting reverence and awe. Finally, the sheer volume and costliness of the offerings demonstrate the **immense value** God placed on dwelling among His people and the reciprocal commitment required from them. This detailed record served as an enduring testament to the initial consecration of the sacred space and the nation's covenant relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 7:75, with its precise enumeration of animals for a burnt offering, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year" collectively prefigure the singular, spotless, and complete sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus Christ. Just as the lamb of the first year was required to be unblemished and perfect, so too was Christ "a lamb without blemish or defect" ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Precious Blood")). The burnt offering, symbolizing total surrender and complete atonement, is perfectly realized in Christ's death on the cross. His sacrifice was not partial but a full and final offering, "once for all" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Single Offering")), which fully satisfied God's righteous demands and provided complete atonement for sin, making all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His perfect, self-offering, Jesus consecrated a new and living way for humanity to approach God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God through Christ's Blood")), fulfilling the Tabernacle's purpose and the very essence of every Old Testament sacrifice by establishing a permanent and perfect reconciliation.

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.