King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:69 Mean?

Numbers 7:69 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 7:69 · KJV


Context

67

His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was 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:

68

One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

69

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

70

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

71

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 Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering—Dan's burnt offering ('olah, עֹלָה) maintained the pattern established by all previous tribes. The threefold sacrifice—bullock, ram, lamb—comprehensively covers the spectrum of acceptable burnt offerings listed in Leviticus 1:3-10. The 'olah expressed total devotion: the entire animal consumed by fire, ascending as 'a sweet savour unto the LORD' (Leviticus 1:9).

Remarkably, this is verse 69 of a chapter listing twelve identical tribal offering sequences. The very repetition that might seem tedious to readers demonstrates a profound theological truth: God never tires of receiving worship, never dismisses any tribe's offering as redundant, never says 'I've already received this from Judah, so Dan's offering adds nothing new.' Each tribe's worship was individually received, valued, and recorded for eternity. Psalm 50:9-13 clarifies that God doesn't need our sacrifices materially, yet delights in them relationally.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The burnt offering was the most ancient sacrifice, predating Mosaic law (Genesis 8:20, 22:2, Job 1:5). After Sinai, it became the twice-daily continual offering (Exodus 29:38-42), the foundation of Israel's sacrificial system. The morning and evening burnt offerings framed each day in consecration to God, teaching Israel that all of life—from waking to sleeping—belonged to Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's careful recording of each tribe's identical offering teach about His attentiveness to individual worship even when corporate patterns remain constant?
  2. How does the burnt offering's total consumption challenge partial obedience or 'percentage Christianity' that retains parts of life from God's lordship?
  3. Why does Scripture devote 89 verses to these repetitive offerings rather than summarizing them in one verse?

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 7:69 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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