King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:16 Mean?

Numbers 7:16 in the King James Version says “One kid of the goats for a sin offering:” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“One kid of the goats for a sin offering:”

Numbers 7:16 · KJV

Context

14

One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense:

15

One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

16

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

17

And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

18

On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The kid of the goats for a sin offering addresses the reality that even in dedication, atonement is needed. Before communion with God (peace offering) or dedication (burnt offering), sin must be addressed. The sin offering blood was sprinkled on the altar's horns and poured at its base, signifying that sin's penalty is death and only blood can atone. The Reformed doctrine of substitutionary atonement is central—an innocent victim dies in place of the guilty. This prefigures Christ, our sin offering, who bore our guilt on the cross.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sin offerings dealt with unintentional sins and ritual defilement. The blood application to the altar made atonement, allowing the offerer to approach God with other offerings. The goat, a common animal, made sin offerings accessible across economic levels, though here the princes used young goats as appropriate to their status.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why must the sin offering always precede fellowship offerings in our approach to God?
  2. How does the substitutionary nature of the sin offering prefigure Christ's work on the cross?
  3. In what ways does the necessity of blood atonement challenge modern sensibilities about approaching God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 4 words
שְׂעִיר1 of 4

“kid”

H8163

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

עִזִּ֥ים2 of 4

“of the goats”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

אֶחָ֖ד3 of 4

“One”

H259

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

לְחַטָּֽאת׃4 of 4

“for a sin offering”

H2403

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

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 7:16 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 7:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 4:23Leviticus 4:25

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