King James Version
What Does Numbers 29:18 Mean?
“And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:”
Numbers 29:18 · KJV
Context
16
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
17
And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
18
And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
19
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering thereof, and their drink offerings.
20
And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish;
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAccording to their number, after the manner (kemishpatam, כְּמִשְׁפָּטָם)—'After the manner' uses the legal term mishpat, meaning ordinance, judgment, prescribed custom. This wasn't casual worship but covenant law. Bemidbar (Numbers) means 'in the wilderness,' where God regulated every aspect of tabernacle worship to prevent innovation.
The phrase's repetition (verses 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 37) functions as liturgical refrain, emphasizing that procedures established in verses 14-15 governed all subsequent days. God prescribed not just what to offer but how—portions, preparations, accompaniments—leaving nothing to human ingenuity.
The phrase's repetition (verses 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 37) functions as liturgical refrain, emphasizing that procedures established in verses 14-15 governed all subsequent days. God prescribed not just what to offer but how—portions, preparations, accompaniments—leaving nothing to human ingenuity.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Codified law distinguished Israel from surrounding nations whose priests improvised rituals based on omens or royal whim. Israel's written Torah enabled consistency across centuries and geography. Even in Babylonian exile (586-516 BC), Jews preserved sacrificial knowledge for temple restoration under Ezra-Nehemiah.
Reflection Questions
- How does God's detailed prescription challenge the modern worship philosophy 'it doesn't matter how you worship, just that you do'?
- What does the phrase 'after the manner' teach about the regulative principle that worship must be authorized by Scripture?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 7 wordsוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם1 of 7
“And their meat offering”
H4503a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
לַ֠פָּרִים3 of 7
“for the bullocks”
H6499a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
לָֽאֵילִ֧ם4 of 7
“for the rams”
H352properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם6 of 7
“shall be according to their number”
H4557a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃7 of 7
“after the manner”
H4941properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
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 29:18 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 29:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge