These instructions remind believers of the seriousness with which God calls His people to address sin, dwelling on both the humility required to seek atonement and the joy found in gratitude to God.
Then one male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering and its drink offering. (Numbers 29:38)
This verse provides final instructions for a series of offerings that Israel was commanded to present during a sacred festival. The text specifies one male goat for a sin offering, emphasizing the consistent biblical pattern of goats serving as a means to make atonement for sin. Under the law of Moses, sin offerings were typically offered to cover unintentional sin; the ritual involved identifying with the goat by laying hands on its head, signifying a transfer of guilt, and then slaughtering the goat as an act of worship and restoration (see Leviticus 4:22-24 for a similar principle). Sacrifices like these foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who took upon Himself the sins of humanity (Hebrews 9:24-25).
In addition to the sin offering, the verse mentions the need for the continual burnt offering to remain in place. Burnt offerings were called “offerings of ascent,” since they were wholly consumed by fire and the smoke ascended before the Lord. These offerings represented an act of complete devotion and surrender, reminding worshipers of God’s holiness and their need to live in constant dedication to Him. Accompanying them was a required grain offering, which symbolized gratitude and dependence on God for daily sustenance, and a drink offering, typically wine, poured out upon the altar (Numbers 15:4-5). Both the grain and drink offerings further demonstrated the worshiper’s acknowledgment of God as the provider of all blessings.
By instructing the people to present each of these sacrifices—sin offering, burnt offering, grain offering, and drink offering—Numbers 29:38 underscores the multifaceted approach of worship laid out in the law, encompassing repentance, devotion, thankfulness, and trust. The male goat for sin signified a particular focus on atonement and the need to be cleansed of transgressions against God’s covenant, while the perpetual burnt offering and its accompanying gifts expressed an ongoing lifestyle of reverence and humility.
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Numbers 29:38 meaning
Then one male goat for a sin offering, besides the continual burnt offering, its grain offering and its drink offering. (Numbers 29:38)
This verse provides final instructions for a series of offerings that Israel was commanded to present during a sacred festival. The text specifies one male goat for a sin offering, emphasizing the consistent biblical pattern of goats serving as a means to make atonement for sin. Under the law of Moses, sin offerings were typically offered to cover unintentional sin; the ritual involved identifying with the goat by laying hands on its head, signifying a transfer of guilt, and then slaughtering the goat as an act of worship and restoration (see Leviticus 4:22-24 for a similar principle). Sacrifices like these foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who took upon Himself the sins of humanity (Hebrews 9:24-25).
In addition to the sin offering, the verse mentions the need for the continual burnt offering to remain in place. Burnt offerings were called “offerings of ascent,” since they were wholly consumed by fire and the smoke ascended before the Lord. These offerings represented an act of complete devotion and surrender, reminding worshipers of God’s holiness and their need to live in constant dedication to Him. Accompanying them was a required grain offering, which symbolized gratitude and dependence on God for daily sustenance, and a drink offering, typically wine, poured out upon the altar (Numbers 15:4-5). Both the grain and drink offerings further demonstrated the worshiper’s acknowledgment of God as the provider of all blessings.
By instructing the people to present each of these sacrifices—sin offering, burnt offering, grain offering, and drink offering—Numbers 29:38 underscores the multifaceted approach of worship laid out in the law, encompassing repentance, devotion, thankfulness, and trust. The male goat for sin signified a particular focus on atonement and the need to be cleansed of transgressions against God’s covenant, while the perpetual burnt offering and its accompanying gifts expressed an ongoing lifestyle of reverence and humility.