King James Version
What Does Numbers 29:4 Mean?
“And one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:”
Numbers 29:4 · KJV
Context
2
And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish:
3
And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram,
4
And one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:
5
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you:
6
Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs (וְעִשָּׂרוֹן אֶחָד לַכֶּבֶשׂ הָאֶחָד לְשִׁבְעַת הַכְּבָשִׂים, ve'issaron echad lakeves ha'echad leshiv'at hakvasim)—the same individual portion prescribed throughout Numbers 28-29. Each lamb received its designated grain offering, never a collective or averaged amount. This individualization within corporate worship suggests that while Israel gathered as one people, each worshiper's relationship with God was personal and particular.
The seven lambs at multiple festivals (Passover, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles) created a pattern of sevenfold completeness in sacrifice. Yet all these could never take away sins (Hebrews 10:11), only point forward to the Lamb of God who would accomplish what they symbolized. John the Baptist's declaration—Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29)—reinterprets countless festival lambs through one ultimate sacrifice.
The seven lambs at multiple festivals (Passover, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles) created a pattern of sevenfold completeness in sacrifice. Yet all these could never take away sins (Hebrews 10:11), only point forward to the Lamb of God who would accomplish what they symbolized. John the Baptist's declaration—Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29)—reinterprets countless festival lambs through one ultimate sacrifice.
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Historical & Cultural Context
By the Second Temple period, these elaborate festival sacrifices required a highly organized priesthood. Priests were divided into 24 courses (1 Chronicles 24), rotating weekly duty, but all courses served during major festivals due to increased offerings. Zechariah, John the Baptist's father, was serving his course when Gabriel announced John's birth (Luke 1:8-9)—a liturgical context for the forerunner who would identify the ultimate Lamb.
Reflection Questions
- How does the individual grain offering for each lamb reflect God's personal attention even in corporate worship settings?
- What does the sevenfold pattern of lambs reveal about the concept of complete, perfect sacrifice?
- In what ways did John the Baptist's Behold the Lamb reinterpret Israel's entire sacrificial system?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 6 wordsלְשִׁבְעַ֖ת5 of 6
“throughout the seven”
H7651seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
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 29:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.