King James Version

What Does Numbers 29:34 Mean?

Numbers 29:34 in the King James Version says “And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. — study this verse from Numbers chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.

Numbers 29:34 · KJV


Context

32

And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:

33

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:

34

And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.

35

On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein:

36

But ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One goat for a sin offering—Even on the seventh day's symbolic high point, the chatat remains non-negotiable. The seventh sin offering beside the continual burnt offering demonstrates that no achievement in religious observance, no symbolic completeness, removes our dependence on atoning blood.

This anticipates the New Covenant reality: our spiritual maturity never graduates us beyond our need for Christ's blood. The most sanctified believer still pleads, "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling." The daily sin offering, even at the feast's climax, prefigures Hebrews 10:14: "by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

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Historical & Cultural Context

The goat's blood was sprinkled on the altar, and its flesh was eaten by the priests in a holy place (Leviticus 6:24-30), making the priests participants in bearing the people's sin symbolically. This prefigured Christ as both priest and sacrifice, bearing our sins in his own body (1 Peter 2:24).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the unceasing need for sin offerings, even at the feast's pinnacle, guard against spiritual pride in your most mature moments?
  2. What does the seventh-day sin offering reveal about the relationship between spiritual growth and ongoing dependence on grace?
  3. How does this daily pattern deepen your appreciation for the permanence of Christ's atonement (Hebrews 10:12)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וּשְׂעִ֥יר1 of 8

goat

H8163

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

חַטָּ֖את2 of 8

for a sin offering

H2403

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

אֶחָ֑ד3 of 8

And one

H259

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

מִלְּבַד֙4 of 8
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

עֹלַ֣ת5 of 8

burnt offering

H5930

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

הַתָּמִ֔יד6 of 8

beside the continual

H8548

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

מִנְחָתָ֖הּ7 of 8

his meat offering

H4503

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

וְנִסְכָּֽהּ׃8 of 8

and his drink offering

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 29:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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