Numbers 15 3

Numbers 15:3 kjv

And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savor unto the LORD, of the herd or of the flock:

Numbers 15:3 nkjv

and you make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or in your appointed feasts, to make a sweet aroma to the LORD, from the herd or the flock,

Numbers 15:3 niv

and you present to the LORD food offerings from the herd or the flock, as an aroma pleasing to the LORD?whether burnt offerings or sacrifices, for special vows or freewill offerings or festival offerings?

Numbers 15:3 esv

and you offer to the LORD from the herd or from the flock a food offering or a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts, to make a pleasing aroma to the LORD,

Numbers 15:3 nlt

you will offer special gifts as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. These gifts may take the form of a burnt offering, a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, a voluntary offering, or an offering at any of your annual festivals, and they may be taken from your herds of cattle or your flocks of sheep and goats.

Numbers 15 verses

Numbers 15 3 Meaning

Numbers 15:3 sets forth the general requirement for various offerings made to the LORD from livestock (herd or flock) that produce a pleasing aroma to Him. It specifies the categories under which these offerings are made: whether a burnt offering, a sacrifice, given for a special vow, as a freewill offering, or during Israel's appointed feasts. This verse establishes foundational principles for presenting acceptable sacrifices and offerings once Israel enters the Promised Land.

Numbers 15 3 Context

Numbers chapter 15 initiates a new phase in God's instructions to Israel, marked by the repeated phrase "When you come into the land which I am giving you" (Num 15:2). This signals a transition from the wilderness wanderings and a forward look to established worship in Canaan. Following the tragic events of chapters 13-14 (the spies' negative report and the subsequent rebellion leading to a forty-year delay), this chapter provides regulations for the long-term, anticipating a settled life. Verse 3 is part of the initial set of instructions (Num 15:1-12) concerning the prescribed offerings that accompany the major sacrifices. These are not about sin atonement primarily, but about maintaining covenant relationship, thanksgiving, and dedication. Historically, it prepares Israel for regular, institutional worship and daily spiritual life within the Promised Land, reinforcing God's constant presence and demands for a holy walk. Culturally, these detailed instructions differentiate Israel's worship from the indiscriminate and often morally corrupt sacrificial practices of surrounding pagan nations, emphasizing a holy, specific, and divinely ordained approach to the Creator.

Numbers 15 3 Word analysis

• and when you present: Implies an action undertaken by the Israelites themselves. The timing "when" points to future fulfillment, as they enter and settle in the land, marking a transition from their wilderness sojourn. It highlights personal involvement and responsibility in worship.
• a food offering (אִשֶּׁה, ishsheh): While often translated "food offering," it's more accurately "fire offering" or "gift by fire." This term does not mean literal food for God, who does not consume material things (Psa 50:12-13). Instead, it signifies something offered and consecrated to God through burning on the altar. The burning was the mechanism of presenting the offering from the human sphere to the divine sphere, making it accessible to God in a symbolic sense. It indicates something dedicated to Him by being consumed by His ordained fire.
• to the LORD (יהוה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful, and personal God who enters into relationship with His people. Emphasizes that these offerings are specifically for Him, in His prescribed manner, setting them apart from idolatrous worship.
• from the herd or from the flock: Specifies the source of the main sacrifice. Herd (בָּקָר, bāqār) refers to cattle (oxen, cows), and flock (צֹאן, tzō'n) refers to sheep and goats. These were the primary sources of wealth and sustenance for ancient agrarian societies, signifying offering of their best, a substantial gift to God (Lev 22:19-25).
• to make a pleasing aroma (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, reiach nichoach): Literally "a scent of rest" or "soothing aroma." This anthropomorphism expresses God's acceptance and satisfaction with the offering. It doesn't mean God literally smells physical smoke; rather, it indicates His pleasure with the obedience, faith, and devotion of the worshiper who brings the offering in the prescribed way. It denotes the offering's effectiveness in gaining divine approval and establishing harmony with God (Gen 8:21, Eph 5:2). It implies that the offering is pure, complete, and correctly presented according to His will.
• whether a burnt offering (עֹלָה, `ōlāh): Literally "that which ascends." A voluntary offering where the entire animal (except the hide, which went to the priest) was consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication, atonement, and worship (Lev 1). It was a costly and wholehearted surrender.
• or a sacrifice (זֶבַח, zevah): A broader term for any animal sacrifice, but in this context, especially referring to a peace offering (זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים, zevah shlamim), where only parts were burned, and the rest shared by the priests and offerer. This type symbolized communion, thanksgiving, and fellowship with God (Lev 3).
• for a special vow (לְנֶדֶר, lĕ-neder): A voluntary promise or commitment made to God, often in return for a request or out of deep devotion. Once made, a vow became obligatory and had to be fulfilled (Deut 23:21-23). It represents a deliberate, personal commitment.
• or a freewill offering (וְלִנְדָבָה, wə-lindāvāh): An offering made entirely out of spontaneous generosity, devotion, or thankfulness, not due to a legal obligation or a specific vow. It represents a pure, uncoerced expression of love and gratitude towards God, indicating a willing heart (Lev 7:16, Exod 35:29).
• or in your appointed feasts (בְּמֹעֲדֵיכֶם, bĕ-mō`ădêkhem): Refers to the regular, prescribed festivals and holy days established by God for Israel's annual worship cycle (e.g., Passover, Weeks, Booths, etc.). These offerings were mandatory and central to communal worship, commemoration of God's acts, and spiritual renewal (Lev 23, Num 28-29).

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "and when you present a food offering to the LORD from the herd or from the flock": This phrase details the required object of the offering (something burned, ishsheh), its divine recipient (YHWH), and its source (livestock). It highlights the costly nature of worship and the transfer of a valuable possession to God, symbolizing life itself and sustenance dedicated back to Him.
• "to make a pleasing aroma to the LORD": This describes the ultimate purpose and desired outcome from God's perspective. It means the offering, performed according to God's precise commands and with the right heart, achieves divine acceptance and pleasure. It underscores the importance of obeying God's specific instructions for worship to ensure acceptance.
• "whether a burnt offering or a sacrifice": These two terms specify the primary types of animal offerings being discussed: olah (wholly consumed, atonement/dedication) and zevah (shared, fellowship/thanksgiving). This categorizes the form and general purpose of the animal offering mentioned earlier.
• "for a special vow or a freewill offering or in your appointed feasts": This triad outlines the diverse occasions or motivations for bringing these offerings. It differentiates between specific personal commitments (vows), spontaneous expressions of devotion (freewill offerings), and the regularly scheduled communal acts of worship (moedim). This demonstrates the comprehensive nature of Israelite worship, encompassing both obligatory communal rituals and personal, voluntary acts of devotion. It shows how personal piety and communal adherence were intertwined.

Numbers 15 3 Bonus section

The context of these laws in Numbers 15 immediately following a significant act of rebellion (chapters 13-14) is profoundly meaningful. It demonstrates God's continued faithfulness and grace despite His people's failures. Even as the generation that rebelled faced consequences, God provided detailed instructions for future worship, showing His commitment to His covenant with Israel. This highlights that access to God through worship and sacrifice was still available, but always on His terms, stressing that while the consequence for faithlessness was severe (death in the wilderness), the way of approach to God in holiness remained open for those who would inherit the land and walk in obedience. It’s a testament to the enduring divine desire for fellowship, contingent upon adherence to His holy requirements for a restored relationship.

Numbers 15 3 Commentary

Numbers 15:3 acts as a preamble to detailed sacrificial instructions in the Promised Land. It underlines the importance of intention and obedience in worship. The "food offering" (ishsheh) or fire offering emphasizes presentation to God by fire, not His literal consumption, symbolizing purification and dedication. The "pleasing aroma" signifies God's full acceptance of the offering when presented in faith and according to His detailed commands, rather than its literal smell. This divine acceptance underscores the need for meticulous adherence to God's law. The inclusion of burnt offerings (complete devotion), sacrifices (fellowship/thanksgiving), vows (specific personal commitment), freewill offerings (spontaneous generosity), and appointed feasts (communal observance) demonstrates the breadth of God's provision for and expectation of Israelite worship. It reveals a God who desires worship arising from both required covenant observance and heartfelt personal devotion, making allowances for both structured worship and individual expressions of faith. Ultimately, these rituals foreshadowed the perfect and sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Heb 9-10), whose self-offering was the true and ultimate "fragrant offering and sacrifice" acceptable to God (Eph 5:2), fulfilling all requirements of complete dedication and propitiation.Example: A "freewill offering" (Num 15:3) would be like someone bringing an extra offering beyond what was mandated for a feast, simply out of a grateful heart for a recent blessing, demonstrating a personal overflow of worship. A "special vow" would be fulfilling a promise made to God, such as Jacob's vow in Gen 28:20-22.