Numbers 7:76

KJV

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

KJV (with Strong's)

One {H259} kid {H8163} of the goats {H5795} for a sin offering {H2403}:

Complete Jewish Bible

one male goat as a sin offering,

Berean Standard Bible

one male goat for a sin offering;

American Standard Version

one male of the goats for a sin-offering;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 7:76 records the specific offering of "one kid of the goats for a sin offering" brought by Pagiel, the leader of the tribe of Asher, on the eleventh day of the Tabernacle's dedication ceremony. This seemingly minor detail within a meticulously cataloged list of identical tribal gifts underscores a profound theological truth: even in moments of national celebration and covenant renewal, the pervasive reality of sin necessitated a divinely appointed means of atonement and purification, highlighting God's provision for His people's ongoing reconciliation and their universal need for cleansing before a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapter 7 provides an exhaustive and repetitive account of the dedication offerings brought by each of the twelve tribal leaders of Israel following the completion and anointing of the Tabernacle (see [Numbers 7:1](/numbers/7-1 "Numbers 7:1 - Tabernacle Anointed")). Each day, for twelve consecutive days, a different prince presented an identical set of gifts, including silver plates, golden bowls, various animals for burnt, grain, peace, and sin offerings, and a goat for a sin offering. This deliberate repetition emphasizes the unity of the tribes in their worship and their shared commitment to the newly established sanctuary. Numbers 7:76 specifically details the sin offering component of the gifts presented by Pagiel, son of Ocran, representing the tribe of Asher, on the eleventh day of this significant liturgical event. The uniformity of the offerings across all tribes underscores the universal spiritual needs and responsibilities of God's people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of the Tabernacle marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, transitioning from a nomadic people with a temporary tent of meeting to a divinely ordered community with a consecrated dwelling place for God in their midst (cf. [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Completed and Dedicated")). This event signified the formal establishment of the Mosaic Covenant's cultic system, providing a framework for Israel's relationship with a holy God. The inclusion of a sin offering was crucial within this context, as the Israelites, though God's chosen people, were still prone to sin, both intentional and unintentional. The sin offering (`chatta'th`) in the Mosaic Law (detailed extensively in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - The Sin Offering")) served to purify individuals or the community from ritual defilement and to atone for unintentional transgressions, allowing them to maintain fellowship with God and remain within the consecrated camp. This ritual acknowledged the pervasive nature of sin and God's gracious provision for its remedy, ensuring that even in their most sacred acts of worship, the people were reminded of their need for divine cleansing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭāʾṯ_):** The Hebrew term חַטָּאת (_chaṭṭāʾṯ_), often translated as "sin offering," is derived from the root חָטָא (_ḥāṭāʾ_), meaning "to miss the mark," "to err," or "to sin." In the context of the sacrificial system, _chaṭṭāʾṯ_ refers not merely to the act of sin itself but to the specific offering made to atone for sin and to purify from ritual impurity. It was primarily prescribed for unintentional sins, acts of negligence, or ritual defilements that rendered an individual or the community unclean and unable to approach God. The purpose of the _chaṭṭāʾṯ_ was to cleanse, purify, and restore the offerer to a state of ritual acceptability before God, thereby maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle and the covenant relationship. It underscored the seriousness of sin, even when unintentional, and God's gracious provision for reconciliation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"One kid of the goats":** This specifies the animal type for the sin offering. A "kid of the goats," or a young male goat, was a common and acceptable animal for sin offerings, particularly for individuals or for leaders within the community, as outlined in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for the Sin Offering"). The selection of a specific, unblemished animal underscored the gravity of the offering and the principle of substitution, where the life of the animal was given in place of the offerer, symbolizing the transfer of sin and the provision of atonement.
* **"for a sin offering":** This phrase clearly states the purpose of the goat. It was not for a burnt offering (general atonement/devotion), a grain offering (tribute/thanksgiving), or a peace offering (fellowship/thanksgiving), but specifically for the _chaṭṭāʾṯ_. This indicates the pervasive need for purification and atonement even during a joyous and significant dedication ceremony. It served to cleanse any defilement that might inadvertently cling to the people or their worship, ensuring that their approach to a holy God was acceptable and unhindered.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, as part of the broader chapter, employs **Repetition** as a primary literary device. The identical listing of offerings for each of the twelve tribes throughout [Numbers 7](/numbers/7 "Numbers 7 - Offerings of the Tribal Leaders") emphasizes the unity of Israel, the universality of their obligations under the covenant, and the meticulousness of God's instructions for worship. Within this repetitive structure, the "kid of the goats for a sin offering" serves as a powerful **Symbol** of the pervasive nature of sin and the constant, unchanging need for atonement. It symbolizes God's gracious provision for His people's impurity, even in their most sanctified acts, and foreshadows a greater, more perfect sacrifice to come. The uniformity of this specific offering across all tribes also symbolizes spiritual equality before God, as all, from the greatest leader to the humblest Israelite, required the same means of purification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 7:76, though a seemingly minor detail, powerfully reinforces several core theological themes. It highlights the absolute holiness of God, before whom no sin, intentional or unintentional, can stand unaddressed. The requirement for a sin offering underscores the pervasive reality and seriousness of sin, which creates a barrier between humanity and a holy God. Yet, it simultaneously showcases God's immense grace and faithfulness in providing a prescribed means for His people to deal with their moral failings and ritual impurities, allowing them to remain in covenant relationship and approach His presence. This provision demonstrates God's desire for reconciliation and fellowship, even when His people fall short.

* [Leviticus 4:20](/leviticus/4-20 "Leviticus 4:20 - Forgiveness for the Sin Offering")
* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The inclusion of a "kid of the goats for a sin offering" in the grand dedication of the Tabernacle serves as a poignant reminder that even in our most sincere acts of worship and devotion, we remain in need of God's cleansing grace. This ancient ritual compels us to acknowledge the enduring reality of sin, not just as overt transgression, but as any impurity or falling short of God's perfect standard. It teaches us humility, reminding us that our access to God is never based on our own merit or flawless performance, but always on His gracious provision. For believers today, this verse should cultivate a deep appreciation for the completed work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the need for a sin offering, providing a final and complete atonement that animal sacrifices could only foreshadow. It calls us to live in the freedom of His forgiveness, while also fostering a sensitivity to sin and a continuous reliance on His purifying power in our daily lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the inclusion of a sin offering, even during a joyous dedication, highlight the unchanging nature of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways does this verse, when viewed through the lens of Christ's sacrifice, deepen your appreciation for God's provision for reconciliation?**
* **How does the concept of an "unintentional" sin offering challenge your understanding of sin and personal responsibility today?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of a "sin offering" in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The primary purpose of a "sin offering" (Hebrew: `chatta'th`) in ancient Israel was to atone for unintentional sins and to purify individuals or the community from ritual defilement. Unlike burnt offerings, which were more general acts of devotion, the sin offering specifically addressed transgressions committed unknowingly or inadvertently, or certain states of impurity that rendered a person unfit to approach God or participate in the community's worship. It served to cleanse the offerer and restore them to a state of ritual purity and fellowship with God, ensuring the sanctity of the Tabernacle and the covenant relationship. This is extensively detailed in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "The Law of the Sin Offering").

**Why was a "kid of the goats" often specified for a sin offering?**

Answer: A "kid of the goats" (a young male goat) was a common and acceptable animal for sin offerings due to its availability and its prescribed role in the Mosaic Law. Different animals were specified for different types of offerings and for different classes of people (e.g., a bull for a priest or the whole congregation, a female goat or lamb for an ordinary person, doves for the poor). The "kid of the goats" was a standard offering for individuals and leaders, signifying its role as a substitutionary sacrifice. Its life was given to cover the sin, symbolizing the gravity of the transgression and God's provision for atonement. The specific animal type was part of God's meticulous instructions to ensure proper worship and a clear understanding of the sacrificial system.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 7:76, with its seemingly mundane detail of a "kid of the goats for a sin offering," finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sin offerings, though divinely instituted, were inherently temporary and imperfect; they had to be repeated continually because they could only cover sins, not truly take them away ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")). Jesus, however, is the perfect and final `chatta'th`, the Lamb of God who truly "takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He became our sin offering, bearing the full penalty for all humanity's transgressions—intentional and unintentional alike—on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). His single, perfect sacrifice, offered "once for all" ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Christ's Single Sacrifice")), completely satisfied the demands of God's holiness, rendering all animal sacrifices obsolete. Through His shed blood, we receive not just ritual cleansing but complete spiritual purification and eternal reconciliation with God, granting us bold access into His presence ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Access Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, the humble goat offered by Pagiel points forward to the majestic, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, our perfect and sufficient sin offering.

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.