King James Version

What Does Numbers 6:11 Mean?

Numbers 6:11 in the King James Version says “And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.”

Numbers 6:11 · KJV

Context

9

And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

10

And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:

11

And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.

12

And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled. be lost: Heb. fall

13

And this is the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The priest making atonement 'for his sin which he hath sinned by the dead' reveals that ceremonial defilement required sacrificial atonement, not mere washing. The Hebrew kipper (make atonement/cover) indicates substitutionary blood payment. Even though defilement was unintentional, it required priestly mediation and blood sacrifice. This teaches that all impurity before God—intentional or not—requires atonement, anticipating Christ's blood that cleanses all sin (1 John 1:7). Mere human effort cannot remove defilement; only priestly mediation through blood suffices.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This law distinguishes ceremonial impurity from moral guilt. The Nazirite had not sinned morally by being near unexpected death, yet ceremonial defilement required atonement. This shows that holiness in God's presence requires more than moral innocence—it demands ritual purity provided only through blood sacrifice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the need for atonement even for unintentional defilement reveal sin's pervasiveness?
  2. What is the relationship between ceremonial purity and moral righteousness?
  3. How does Christ's blood provide complete cleansing for all impurity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְעָשָׂ֣ה1 of 17

“shall offer”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַכֹּהֵ֗ן2 of 17

“And the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְאֶחָ֣ד3 of 17

“and the other”

H259

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

לְחַטָּאת֙4 of 17

“for a sin offering”

H2403

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

וְאֶחָ֣ד5 of 17

“and the other”

H259

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

לְעֹלָ֔ה6 of 17

“for a burnt offering”

H5930

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

וְכִפֶּ֣ר7 of 17

“and make an atonement”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

עָלָ֔יו8 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מֵֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 17

“for him for that”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חָטָ֖א10 of 17

“he sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

עַל11 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַנָּ֑פֶשׁ12 of 17

“by the dead”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְקִדַּ֥שׁ13 of 17

“and shall hallow”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

אֶת14 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֹאשׁ֖וֹ15 of 17

“his head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

בַּיּ֥וֹם16 of 17

“that same day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַהֽוּא׃17 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 6:11 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 6:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 5:8-10Leviticus 14:30-31

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