King James Version

What Does Numbers 29:12 Mean?

Numbers 29:12 in the King James Version says “And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye sha... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

Numbers 29:12 · KJV


Context

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:

14

And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth deals to each ram of the two rams,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) lasted seven days, celebrating God's provision during wilderness wanderings. Israel lived in temporary booths (sukkot), remembering their pilgrim status and God's faithful care. The extensive offerings (13 bulls on day one, decreasing daily to 7) totaled 70 bulls over seven days - Jewish tradition connects this to the 70 nations of Genesis 10, suggesting Israel's priestly role among nations. This feast foreshadows the eternal tabernacling of God with redeemed humanity (Rev 21:3). John 7 records Jesus attending this feast, declaring Himself the water and light - fulfilling the feast's water-drawing and lamp-lighting ceremonies.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Celebrated after harvest (Tishri 15-21), this joyful feast concluded the agricultural year, thanking God for provision. Pilgrims built temporary shelters and lived in them, re-enacting wilderness dependence. The feast's other name, 'Feast of Ingathering,' points to the eschatological ingathering of God's people from all nations (Zech 14:16-19 prophesies all nations keeping this feast in the Messianic kingdom).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering your spiritual 'wilderness journey' help maintain humble dependence on God's provision?
  2. In what ways are you living as a pilgrim, remembering this world is not your permanent home?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּבַֽחֲמִשָּׁה֩1 of 19

And on the fifteenth

H2568

five

עָשָׂ֨ר2 of 19
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

יָמִֽים׃3 of 19

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

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ4 of 19

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י5 of 19

of the seventh

H7637

seventh

מִֽקְרָא6 of 19

convocation

H4744

something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal

קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙7 of 19

ye shall have an holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה8 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָכֶ֔ם9 of 19
H0
כָּל10 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְלֶ֥אכֶת11 of 19

work

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

עֲבֹדָ֖ה12 of 19

no servile

H5656

work of any kind

לֹ֣א13 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ14 of 19

ye shall do

H6213

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

וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם15 of 19

and ye shall keep

H2287

properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy

חַ֛ג16 of 19

a feast

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

לַֽיהוָ֖ה17 of 19

unto the LORD

H3068

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

שִׁבְעַ֥ת18 of 19

seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יָמִֽים׃19 of 19

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


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 29:12 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 29:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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