Numbers 7:82

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 7:82 concludes the extensive record of the dedicatory offerings presented by the tribal leaders of Israel for the Tabernacle. This specific verse highlights a crucial component of the daily sacrifice brought by each prince: a kid of the goats designated as a sin offering. It underscores the meticulous nature of Mosaic worship and the ever-present need for atonement and purification within the community as they sought to maintain a holy relationship with God in His dwelling place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapter 7 meticulously details the offerings presented to the Lord by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel following the erection and anointing of the Tabernacle and its altar, as described in [Numbers 7:1](/numbers/7-1 "Numbers 7:1 - Anointing of the Tabernacle"). For twelve consecutive days, a different tribal leader brought identical gifts, which included silver chargers, gold spoons, and various animals for burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, and crucially, sin offerings. Verse 82, along with the preceding verses (Numbers 7:12-81) and the subsequent summary (Numbers 7:83-88), functions as part of a comprehensive tally, emphasizing the consistent pattern and the specific components, such as the sin offering, that were vital for maintaining ritual purity and fellowship with God within the newly established worship system.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Numbers 7 is immediately after the completion and consecration of the Tabernacle, a monumental event in Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The Tabernacle served as the portable dwelling place of God among His people, symbolizing His holy presence and establishing the center of Israelite worship. The offerings described here were not spontaneous acts but were meticulously prescribed by the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the critical importance of precise obedience in approaching a holy God. The "sin offering" (Hebrew: *chatta't*) was a foundational element of Israelite worship, designed to atone for unintentional sins, ritual impurities, or inadvertent transgressions against God's commands, thereby allowing individuals and the community to remain in covenant relationship with Yahweh. This grand dedication ceremony solidified the nation's commitment to the established system of worship and their understanding of God's provision for dealing with sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sin offering (Hebrew, _chatta't'_):** This term (חַטָּאת) is central to understanding the purpose of this sacrifice. While it can literally mean "sin," in the context of offerings, it refers to the "offering for sin" or "purification offering." Its primary function was to atone for unintentional sins, ritual impurities, or inadvertent transgressions against God's commands, thereby restoring the individual or community to a state of ritual purity and right relationship with God. Unlike guilt offerings (אשם, *asham*) which dealt with restitution for specific offenses, the *chatta't* addressed the broader issue of sin's defiling effect, emphasizing the need for cleansing to maintain access to God's holy presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"One kid of the goats":** This specifies the particular animal required for this type of offering. A "kid of the goats" (שְׂעִיר עִזִּים, *s'ir izzim*) refers to a young male goat. In the sacrificial system, different animals were prescribed for different offerings and for different social statuses (e.g., a bull for a high priest, a female goat for a common person, or doves for the poor). The consistency of this specific animal across all twelve princes' offerings underscores the unified nature of the dedication and the equal access to atonement provided by God for the leaders of the tribes, as outlined in the Mosaic Law for their specific role.
* **"for a sin offering":** This phrase clearly states the purpose of the goat. The "sin offering" (חַטָּאת, *chatta't*) was not for deliberate, high-handed sins, but primarily for unintentional transgressions, ritual impurities, or errors that defiled the individual or the sanctuary. Its purpose was to purify, cleanse, and make atonement, allowing the worshiper to remain in fellowship with a holy God. The inclusion of the sin offering in these grand dedicatory gifts highlights the understanding that even in moments of great celebration and national dedication, the reality of human sinfulness and the constant need for divine provision for purification remained paramount.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 7:82, within its broader context, primarily employs **Repetition** and **Symbolism**. The entire chapter is structured around the meticulous **Repetition** of identical offerings from each of the twelve tribal princes, day after day. This serves to emphasize the unity of the tribes in their dedication, the meticulousness of God's commands, and the comprehensive nature of the Tabernacle's anointing. Each component of the offering, including the "kid of the goats for a sin offering," is repeated, reinforcing its importance and necessity within the divine economy. Furthermore, the "kid of the goats" itself, when designated "for a sin offering," carries profound **Symbolism**. It symbolizes the substitutionary principle at the heart of the Old Covenant sacrificial system: an innocent animal's life is given to atone for the sin or impurity of the offerer. This act of sacrifice symbolically cleanses and purifies, allowing the offerer to be reconciled with God. The cumulative effect of this repetition and symbolism is to impress upon the reader the gravity of sin, the holiness of God, and the divine provision for reconciliation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 7:82, though a seemingly small detail in a lengthy list, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous provision for dealing with human sin and impurity. The sin offering (חַטָּאת, *chatta't*) was a cornerstone of the Mosaic Law, demonstrating that sin, even unintentional, created a barrier between a holy God and His people, requiring specific divine remedy. This constant need for atonement, even during a joyful dedication ceremony, underscores the pervasive nature of sin and God's unwavering commitment to maintain a pure relationship with His covenant people. It points to a foundational theological truth: access to God's presence is predicated on purification and atonement, a principle that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

* [Leviticus 4:1-35](/leviticus/4-1 "Leviticus 4:1-35 - Laws for the Sin Offering")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Remission of Sins")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 7:82, nestled within the detailed accounts of the Tabernacle's dedication, might initially appear as a mere historical record of ancient rituals. However, it serves as a powerful reminder of timeless spiritual truths. The consistent inclusion of the sin offering by each tribal leader speaks volumes about the human condition: even in our most dedicated moments, sin remains a reality that requires divine intervention. For us today, this verse prompts profound gratitude for the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which has rendered animal sacrifices obsolete. We no longer need to bring a kid of the goats; rather, we rest in the finished work of the Lamb of God. This verse challenges us to acknowledge the seriousness of sin, even our unintentional failings, and to continually lean into the grace and forgiveness freely offered through Christ. It calls us to live lives of purity and holiness, not out of fear of ritual defilement, but out of love and reverence for the God who has made a way for us to draw near.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of the sin offering in the Old Testament deepen your appreciation for the simplicity and completeness of Christ's sacrifice?**
* **In what ways do you recognize the ongoing need for "purification" in your own life, and how do you lean into God's provision for it?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's character and His desire to maintain a relationship with His people despite their imperfections?**

### FAQ
**Why was a "kid of the goats" specifically chosen for the sin offering in this context?**

Answer: In the Mosaic Law, the type of animal required for a sin offering varied depending on the status of the offerer (e.g., a bull for the high priest or the whole congregation, a male goat for a leader, a female goat or lamb for a common person, or even birds for the poor). In Numbers 7, the offerings are made by the "princes" or "leaders" of the tribes. According to [Leviticus 4:22-26](/leviticus/4-22 "Leviticus 4:22-26 - Sin Offering for a Ruler"), a male goat was the prescribed animal for a ruler's unintentional sin. The phrase "kid of the goats" (שְׂעִיר עִזִּים, *s'ir izzim*) here refers to a young male goat, consistent with the requirements for a leader's sin offering, emphasizing the specific and uniform nature of the dedication gifts from each tribal head.

**What is the difference between a "sin offering" and other types of offerings mentioned in Numbers 7?**

Answer: Numbers 7 lists several types of offerings: burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, and sin offerings. Each had a distinct purpose within the Israelite sacrificial system. The **burnt offering** (עֹלָה, *olah*) was entirely consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement for general sinfulness, as seen in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Law of Burnt Offerings"). The **grain offering** (מִנְחָה, *minchah*) was a bloodless offering of flour, oil, and frankincense, often accompanying other sacrifices, symbolizing devotion and gratitude for God's provision ([Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Law of Grain Offerings")). The **peace offering** (שְׁלָמִים, *shelamim*) involved a shared meal between God, the priest, and the offerer, symbolizing fellowship, thanksgiving, or a vow ([Leviticus 3](/leviticus/3 "Leviticus 3 - The Law of Peace Offerings")). The **sin offering** (חַטָּאת, *chatta't*), as highlighted in [Numbers 7:82](/numbers/7-82 "Numbers 7:82 - One Kid of the Goats for a Sin Offering"), was specifically for atonement for unintentional sins and ritual impurities, restoring the offerer to a state of ritual purity and right relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 7:82, with its focus on the "kid of the goats for a sin offering," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sin offerings, though divinely instituted and necessary for their time, were inherently incomplete; they had to be repeated continually because they could not truly take away sin ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inability of Animal Blood to Take Away Sins")). They served as a shadow, pointing forward to the substance found in Christ. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became our once-for-all sin offering, bearing the full penalty for humanity's sin on the cross. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us") declares, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Unlike the temporary cleansing provided by the blood of goats, Christ's perfect sacrifice provides eternal redemption and complete purification for all who believe ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). He is the true and final atonement, through whom we have bold and confident access to God's presence, no longer needing animal sacrifices, for His blood has opened a new and living way ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Bold Access Through Christ's Blood")). The humble kid of the goats in Numbers 7:82 thus stands as a poignant type, fulfilled in the glorious reality of Christ's finished work.

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.