King James Version

What Does Numbers 29:6 Mean?

Numbers 29:6 in the King James Version says “Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 29:6 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:

8

But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish:

Read Numbers 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Beside the burnt offering of the month (מִלְּבַד עֹלַת הַחֹדֶשׁ, milevad olat hachodesh)—the Feast of Trumpets fell on the first day of the seventh month, thus requiring both the regular new moon offerings (Numbers 28:11-15) and the special Trumpets offerings (Numbers 29:1-5). Additionally, the daily burnt offering (עֹלַת הַתָּמִיד, olat hatamid) continued twice daily. This layering created the year's most offering-intensive day outside Yom Kippur and Tabernacles.

According unto their manner (כְּמִשְׁפָּטָם, kemishpatam)—according to their prescribed ordinance. Mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment, justice, or legal requirement, emphasizing that worship followed divine statute, not human invention. For a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD—the concluding formula reiterates worship's purpose: pleasing God through obedience. This phrase, repeated throughout Leviticus-Numbers, finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ who loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour (Ephesians 5:2).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The cumulative nature of offerings (daily + monthly + festival) made Israel's worship life richly complex and economically significant. The Temple and priesthood required substantial resources, supported by tithes, offerings, and Temple tax. This system ensured that worship was central to national life, not peripheral. When Malachi condemned Israel for robbing God in tithes (Malachi 3:8-10), he addressed neglect of this entire worship economy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the layering of daily, monthly, and festival offerings shape a rhythm of worship that is both regular and special?
  2. What does it mean that worship follows divine ordinance rather than personal preference or cultural fashion?
  3. How does Ephesians 5:2's use of sweetsmelling savour connect Christ's sacrifice to all these Old Testament offerings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
מִלְּבַד֩1 of 13
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

וְעֹלַ֤ת2 of 13

“Beside the burnt offering”

H5930

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

הַחֹ֜דֶשׁ3 of 13

“of the month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

וּמִנְחָתָ֔הּ4 of 13

“and his meat offering”

H4503

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

וְעֹלַ֤ת5 of 13

“Beside the burnt offering”

H5930

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

הַתָּמִיד֙6 of 13

“and the daily”

H8548

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

וּמִנְחָתָ֔הּ7 of 13

“and his meat offering”

H4503

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

וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֖ם8 of 13

“and their drink offerings”

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

כְּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑ם9 of 13

“according unto their manner”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

לְרֵ֣יחַ10 of 13

“savour”

H7381

odor (as if blown)

נִיחֹ֔חַ11 of 13

“for a sweet”

H5207

properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight

אִשֶּׁ֖ה12 of 13

“a sacrifice made by fire”

H801

properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice

לַֽיהוָֽה׃13 of 13

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 29:6 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 29:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 28:3-8Numbers 28:11-15Exodus 29:38-42Ezra 3:4Numbers 9:14Numbers 29:21

Test Your Knowledge

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