King James Version

What Does Numbers 29:11 Mean?

Numbers 29:11 in the King James Version says “One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings.”

Numbers 29:11 · KJV

Context

9

And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram,

10

A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:

11

One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings.

12

And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:

13

And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:

Read Numbers 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One kid of the goats for a sin offering (שְׂעִיר חַטָּאת, se'ir chatat)—This additional chatat supplemented Leviticus 16's elaborate Day of Atonement ritual with its twin goats (scapegoat and sacrificed goat). The multiplicity of sin offerings underscored sin's pervasiveness and the inadequacy of animal blood (Hebrews 10:4).

Beside the sin offering of atonement—Literally 'besides the chatat ha-kippurim' (the sin offering of coverings/atonements). This language distinguished the special Yom Kippur goat whose blood entered the Holy of Holies from this supplementary offering, layering atoning blood for comprehensive cleansing.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written for second-generation wilderness Israelites (Numbers 1:1), this passage anticipated temple worship. The 'continual burnt offering' (olat ha-tamid) referenced the twice-daily lamb sacrifice established in Exodus 29:38-42, never to cease even on the holiest day.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did God require multiple sin offerings on Yom Kippur, and what does this reveal about sin's seriousness?
  2. How do these layered Old Testament atonements magnify the sufficiency of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
שְׂעִיר1 of 11

“kid”

H8163

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

עִזִּ֥ים2 of 11

“of the goats”

H5795

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

אֶחָ֖ד3 of 11

“One”

H259

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

חַטַּ֤את4 of 11

“beside the sin offering”

H2403

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

מִלְּבַ֞ד5 of 11
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

חַטַּ֤את6 of 11

“beside the sin offering”

H2403

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

הַכִּפֻּרִים֙7 of 11

“of atonement”

H3725

expiation (only in plural)

וְעֹלַ֣ת8 of 11

“burnt offering”

H5930

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

הַתָּמִ֔יד9 of 11

“and the continual”

H8548

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

וּמִנְחָתָ֖הּ10 of 11

“and the meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְנִסְכֵּיהֶֽם׃11 of 11

“of it and their drink offerings”

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 29:11 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 29:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 16:3Leviticus 16:5Isaiah 53:10Hebrews 9:25-28Leviticus 16:9Daniel 9:24-26

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