King James Version

What Does Numbers 28:3 Mean?

Numbers 28:3 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the fir...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. day by day: Heb. in a day”

Numbers 28:3 · KJV

Context

1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2

Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. a sweet: Heb. a savour of my rest

3

And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. day by day: Heb. in a day

4

The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; at even: Heb. between the two evenings

5

And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands: 'This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering.' The daily sacrifice - one lamb morning, one evening (v.4) - maintained perpetual worship. The Hebrew 'tamid' (continual/regular) emphasizes unceasing devotion. The spotless lambs typified Christ, the Lamb without blemish (1 Pet 1:19). The twice-daily pattern established rhythm of worship bookending each day - beginning and ending in God's presence. This foreshadows believers' continual access to God through Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Heb 10:10-14) and need for daily devotion (morning and evening prayer/worship).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This daily sacrifice continued from tabernacle through both temples until 70 AD destruction. The morning sacrifice occurred about 9 AM, evening about 3 PM - the hours Jesus was crucified and died, showing Christ's death fulfilling this typology. Each lamb was accompanied by grain offering and drink offering (v.5-8), making a complete meal offered to God - symbolizing full dedication. The expense of providing two perfect lambs daily showed worship's priority and cost. Post-70 AD, Judaism replaced physical sacrifices with prayers at these hours. Christians see fulfillment in Christ whose one sacrifice replaced daily offerings, though we maintain principle of regular daily worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you maintain daily rhythm of worship, beginning and ending days in God's presence?
  2. How does Christ as the spotless Lamb fulfilling daily sacrifices deepen your worship and gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣1 of 15

“And thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֔ם2 of 15
H0
זֶ֚ה3 of 15
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הָֽאִשֶּׁ֔ה4 of 15

“unto them This is the offering made by fire”

H801

properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תַּקְרִ֖יבוּ6 of 15

“which ye shall offer”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

לַֽיהוָ֑ה7 of 15

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

כְּבָשִׂ֨ים8 of 15

“lambs”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

בְּנֵֽי9 of 15

“of the first”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שָׁנָ֧ה10 of 15

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

תְמִימִ֛ם11 of 15

“without spot”

H8549

entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth

שְׁנַ֥יִם12 of 15

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

לַיּ֖וֹם13 of 15

“day by day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עֹלָ֥ה14 of 15

“burnt offering”

H5930

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

תָמִֽיד׃15 of 15

“for a continual”

H8548

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

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 28:3 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 28:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 6:91 Peter 1:19-20Ezekiel 46:13-15Daniel 11:31Daniel 8:13John 1:29

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