King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:57 Mean?

Numbers 7:57 in the King James Version says “One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: — study this verse from Numbers chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Numbers 7:57 · KJV


Context

55

His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

56

One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

57

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

58

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

59

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 Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering—Gamaliel's olah repeats the threefold pattern: bullock (costly leadership offering), ram (mature substitute), and year-old lamb (Passover redemption). The burnt offering's complete consumption symbolized Israel's total consecration to God. Nothing was held back; the entire animal ascended as smoke to God.

The progression from large to small (bullock → ram → lamb) may reflect degrees of worshiper status (priest, leader, individual), but here all three appear together, suggesting comprehensive atonement. This threefold burnt offering anticipates Christ as Prophet (teaching bullock), Priest (interceding ram), and King (reigning lamb)—the complete mediator consuming God's wrath in our place.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Burnt offerings dated to humanity's earliest worship (Genesis 4:4, 8:20) and continued throughout Israel's history until Jerusalem's destruction (AD 70). The Hebrew olah appears 286 times in Scripture, making it the most frequently mentioned sacrifice. The practice ended when Christ's sacrifice fulfilled and superseded the entire Levitical system (Hebrews 10:1-18).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the burnt offering's complete consumption challenge compartmentalized Christianity that reserves parts of life from God's lordship?
  2. What theological significance do you see in the threefold pattern (bullock, ram, lamb) potentially picturing Christ's threefold office as Prophet, Priest, and King?
  3. In what ways does understanding burnt offerings as 'that which ascends' shape your view of worship as something offered TO God rather than consumed BY you?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
פַּ֣ר1 of 11

bullock

H6499

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

אֶחָ֥ד2 of 11

One

H259

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

בֶּן3 of 11

of the first

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בָּקָ֗ר4 of 11

young

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

אַ֧יִל5 of 11

ram

H352

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

אֶחָ֥ד6 of 11

One

H259

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

כֶּֽבֶשׂ7 of 11

lamb

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

אֶחָ֥ד8 of 11

One

H259

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

בֶּן9 of 11

of the first

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שְׁנָת֖וֹ10 of 11

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

לְעֹלָֽה׃11 of 11

for a burnt offering

H5930

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


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 7:57 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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