King James Version
What Does Numbers 29:25 Mean?
“And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.”
Numbers 29:25 · KJV
Context
23
And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
24
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:
25
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
26
And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
27
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:
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryOne kid of the goats for a sin offering—Day four concludes with the same chatat as every day, reinforcing sin's persistence even amid harvest joy. The goat's death visualized substitutionary atonement: 'the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all' (Isaiah 53:6).
Beside the continual burnt offering—The olat ha-tamid's appearance on days 1-7 (verses 11, 16, 19, 22, 25, 31, 34, 38) frames each day's close. Morning and evening lambs bracketed festival offerings, illustrating that special worship supplements, never replaces, regular communion with God through Christ our perpetual advocate (1 John 2:1).
Beside the continual burnt offering—The olat ha-tamid's appearance on days 1-7 (verses 11, 16, 19, 22, 25, 31, 34, 38) frames each day's close. Morning and evening lambs bracketed festival offerings, illustrating that special worship supplements, never replaces, regular communion with God through Christ our perpetual advocate (1 John 2:1).
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The tamid maintained covenant relationship between festivals. In non-festival weeks, it was Israel's primary corporate worship. Interrupting it signaled national calamity (Daniel 8:11, 11:31). After AD 70, rabbinic Judaism replaced temple sacrifice with prayer, but the tamid's memory shaped liturgical times (morning/evening prayers).
Reflection Questions
- How does the <em>tamid</em>'s continuation during festivals challenge 'Easter and Christmas Christian' nominal faith?
- What does the sin offering's daily necessity teach about progressive sanctification versus positional justification?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 9 wordsעִזִּ֥ים2 of 9
“of the goats”
H5795a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)
חַטָּ֑את4 of 9
“for a sin offering”
H2403an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
מִלְּבַד֙5 of 9
H905properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
עֹלַ֣ת6 of 9
“burnt offering”
H5930a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
הַתָּמִ֔יד7 of 9
“beside the continual”
H8548properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
מִנְחָתָ֖הּ8 of 9
“his meat offering”
H4503a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
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 29:25 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 29:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge