King James Version
What Does Numbers 28:30 Mean?
“And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.”
Numbers 28:30 · KJV
Context
28
And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,
29
A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;
30
And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.
31
Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you—Beyond burnt and grain offerings, Pentecost required one male goat (שְׂעִיר־עִזִּים se'ir-izim) as sin offering to make atonement (לְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיכֶם lekhaper aleikhem, to cover/propitiate for you). Even joyful harvest celebration required recognition of human sinfulness requiring blood atonement—no worship approached God presuming on human merit.
This pattern—thanksgiving offerings paired with sin offerings—teaches that gratitude must flow through cleansed conscience. The New Testament reveals Christ as ultimate sin offering whose 'blood purges the conscience from dead works to serve the living God' (Hebrews 9:14). Celebratory worship resting on atoning sacrifice anticipates the Lord's Supper, where we give thanks 'for the body broken' and 'blood shed' for our sins.
This pattern—thanksgiving offerings paired with sin offerings—teaches that gratitude must flow through cleansed conscience. The New Testament reveals Christ as ultimate sin offering whose 'blood purges the conscience from dead works to serve the living God' (Hebrews 9:14). Celebratory worship resting on atoning sacrifice anticipates the Lord's Supper, where we give thanks 'for the body broken' and 'blood shed' for our sins.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The goat sin offering was standard for communal worship across Israel's festivals (Numbers 28:15,22,30; 29:5,11,16, etc.). Unlike burnt offerings (wholly consumed by fire), priests ate portions of sin offerings (Leviticus 6:24-26), symbolically bearing Israel's sin through consumption and intercession.
Reflection Questions
- How does the requirement for sin offering even during joyful harvest celebration guard against presumptuous worship ignoring human sinfulness?
- What does pairing thanksgiving with atonement teach about the proper foundation for gratitude and celebration?
- How can contemporary worship maintain biblical balance between celebration and sobering recognition of sin requiring Christ's ongoing mediation?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 5 wordsעִזִּ֖ים2 of 5
“of the goats”
H5795a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)
עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃5 of 5
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
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 28:30 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 28:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge