King James Version

What Does Numbers 28:15 Mean?

Numbers 28:15 in the King James Version says “And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.”

Numbers 28:15 · KJV

Context

13

And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

14

And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.

15

And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

16

And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.

17

And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God requires: 'And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.' Even during monthly new moon celebrations, sin offering remained necessary. The Hebrew 'chattat' (sin offering) acknowledged that worship and celebration don't erase sin's reality - atonement is always required. The phrase 'beside the continual burnt offering' shows sin offering didn't replace regular worship but supplemented it. This teaches that festive worship doesn't excuse neglecting sin's seriousness. Even joyful occasions require acknowledging our need for atonement. Christ is our perpetual sin offering, making all worship acceptable (Heb 10:10-14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The monthly new moon offerings included burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, and this sin offering (v.11-15). Unlike voluntary peace offerings expressing joy, sin offerings addressed the ongoing sin reality even among God's people. The kid goat was standard sin offering for community sins (Lev 4:23). This monthly reminder kept Israel conscious of their constant need for atonement. The practice taught that proximity to God requires continuous cleansing, not one-time purification. Post-temple Judaism lost the sacrificial system; only Christ's once-for-all sacrifice truly addresses ongoing sin. Yet we maintain the principle through regular confession and appropriating His blood (1 John 1:9).

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you maintain awareness of your ongoing need for Christ's atoning sacrifice, or presume past conversion makes current confession unnecessary?
  2. How can you cultivate regular confession rhythm, acknowledging daily sins and appropriating Christ's cleansing blood?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וּשְׂעִ֨יר1 of 10

“kid”

H8163

shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun

עִזִּ֥ים2 of 10

“of the goats”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

אֶחָ֛ד3 of 10

“And one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְחַטָּ֖את4 of 10

“for a sin offering”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

לַֽיהוָ֑ה5 of 10

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַל6 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֹלַ֧ת7 of 10

“burnt offering”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

הַתָּמִ֛יד8 of 10

“beside the continual”

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

יֵֽעָשֶׂ֖ה9 of 10

“shall be offered”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וְנִסְכּֽוֹ׃10 of 10

“and his drink offering”

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 28:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 28:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 28:3Numbers 28:22Numbers 15:24Leviticus 4:23Romans 8:3Leviticus 16:15

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