King James Version

What Does Numbers 29:37 Mean?

Numbers 29:37 in the King James Version says “Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to the...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:”

Numbers 29:37 · KJV

Context

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:

37

Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:

38

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

39

These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings. do: or, offer

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
According to their number, after the manner—Even on the unique eighth day with its singular bullock, the accompanying minchah and nesek follow the established mishpat. The radical reduction in primary offerings does not alter the precision of secondary offerings. This demonstrates that divine innovation (the shift to one bull) operates within, not against, revealed patterns.

The phrase "after the manner" (k'mishpatam) appears for the final time in this chapter, bookending the entire festival sequence (vv. 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 37) with covenantal consistency. The eighth day is both culmination and new beginning—perfectly fulfilled in Christ's resurrection on the eighth day (first day of the new week).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The eighth-day assembly required full cessation from work like a Sabbath (Leviticus 23:36), distinguishing it from the intermediate days of Sukkot. Its solemn assembly (Hebrew atzeret, restraint/assembly) character combined festival joy with Sabbath solemnity, creating a unique liturgical moment in Israel's calendar.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the maintenance of "the manner" even in the unique eighth-day offering inform how New Covenant believers relate to Old Testament patterns?
  2. What does the eighth day's combination of innovation (one bull) and consistency (prescribed offerings) teach about continuity and discontinuity in redemptive history?
  3. How does the eighth day as both ending and beginning illuminate the "already/not yet" tension of the Christian life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
מִנְחָתָ֣ם1 of 7

“Their meat offering”

H4503

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

וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֗ם2 of 7

“and their drink offerings”

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

לַפָּ֨ר3 of 7

“for the bullock”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

לָאַ֧יִל4 of 7

“for the ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים5 of 7

“and for the lambs”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם6 of 7

“shall be according to their number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃7 of 7

“after the manner”

H4941

properly, 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 29:37 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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