King James Version

What Does Numbers 7:87 Mean?

Numbers 7:87 in the King James Version says “All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve , the lambs of the first year twelve , with th...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve , the lambs of the first year twelve , with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve .”

Numbers 7:87 · KJV

Context

85

Each charger of silver weighing an hundred and thirty shekels, each bowl seventy: all the silver vessels weighed two thousand and four hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

86

The golden spoons were twelve , full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, after the shekel of the sanctuary: all the gold of the spoons was an hundred and twenty shekels.

87

All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve , the lambs of the first year twelve , with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve .

88

And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.

89

And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him. with him: that is, with God

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve (כָּל־הַבָּקָר לָעֹלָה שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר פָּרִים, kol-habaqar la'olah sheneim asar parim)—The twelve-fold repetition emphasizes completeness: twelve bullocks (strength), twelve rams (substitution), twelve lambs (innocence), twelve goats (sin-bearing). Each category totals twelve, representing all Israel united in consecrated worship.

The burnt offerings (olah) ascend wholly to God, symbolizing total surrender. Accompanying meat offerings (מִנְחָה, minchah)—fine flour mixed with oil—represent the fruit of human labor consecrated through divine enablement (the oil of the Spirit). The sin offerings acknowledge that even in joyful dedication, atonement is necessary. This dual emphasis—consecration and atonement—prefigures Christ's work: both our substitute (sin offering) and our sanctification (burnt offering, 1 Corinthians 1:30).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The burnt offering was the most frequent sacrifice in Israel's worship (Leviticus 1), offered twice daily (Exodus 29:38-42) plus on special occasions. The complete consumption by fire distinguished it from peace offerings. The grain offering always accompanied burnt offerings, symbolizing the inseparability of consecration and service.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the combination of burnt offerings (consecration) and sin offerings (atonement) teach about the dual nature of Christ's work?
  2. How does the twelve-fold repetition across all categories demonstrate the unity of Israel's worship despite tribal diversity?
  3. Why might the summary separate burnt offerings from peace offerings, and what theological distinction does this preserve?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כָּל1 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַבָּקָ֨ר2 of 20

“All the oxen”

H1241

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

לָֽעֹלָ֜ה3 of 20

“for the burnt offering”

H5930

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

שְׁנֵ֥ים4 of 20

“twelve”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֣ר5 of 20
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

פָּרִ֗ים6 of 20

“bullocks”

H6499

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

אֵילִ֤ם7 of 20

“the rams”

H352

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

שְׁנֵ֥ים8 of 20

“twelve”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂר֙9 of 20
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

כְּבָשִׂ֧ים10 of 20

“the lambs”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

בְּנֵֽי11 of 20

“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

שָׁנָ֛ה12 of 20

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שְׁנֵ֥ים13 of 20

“twelve”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֖ר14 of 20
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

וּמִנְחָתָ֑ם15 of 20

“with their meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וּשְׂעִירֵ֥י16 of 20

“and the kids”

H8163

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

עִזִּ֛ים17 of 20

“of the goats”

H5795

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

שְׁנֵ֥ים18 of 20

“twelve”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֖ר19 of 20
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

לְחַטָּֽאת׃20 of 20

“for 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 7:87 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

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