King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:82 Mean?

Numbers 7:82 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 7:82 · KJV

Context

80

One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

81

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

82

One kid of the goats for a sin offering:

83

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 Ahira the son of Enan.

84

This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One kid of the goats for a sin offering (שְׂעִיר־עִזִּים אֶחָד לְחַטָּאת, se'ir-izim echad lechatat)—The goat for the sin offering (chatat) addresses moral defilement and unintentional transgression. Even in celebration (the dedication), sin must be covered. This teaches that all human approach to God, no matter how joyful or consecrated, requires atonement. The blood applied to the altar's horns (Leviticus 4:25, 30) sanctifies the place of worship itself.

The goat prefigures Christ as sin-bearer (Isaiah 53:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21). On the Day of Atonement, two goats were required—one slain, one sent away (Leviticus 16)—picturing both Christ's death and the removal of sins 'as far as the east is from the west' (Psalm 103:12). Naphtali's single goat here emphasizes ongoing, daily atonement, anticipating Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sin offerings were mandated for unintentional sins and ritual impurity (Leviticus 4-5). The specific animal varied by the offerer's status—a bull for priests, a goat for common people. The tribal princes uniformly brought goats, demonstrating equality before God's law despite their high position.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why must even joyful dedication include a sin offering, and what does this teach about human nature in God's presence?
  2. How does the mandatory nature of the sin offering challenge modern notions that confession and repentance are optional spiritual practices?
  3. What does the goat's role as sin-bearer reveal about substitutionary atonement as the only means of approaching a holy 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 7:82 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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