Numbers 28 8

Numbers 28:8 kjv

And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.

Numbers 28:8 nkjv

The other lamb you shall offer in the evening; as the morning grain offering and its drink offering, you shall offer it as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD.

Numbers 28:8 niv

Offer the second lamb at twilight, along with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering that you offer in the morning. This is a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Numbers 28:8 esv

The other lamb you shall offer at twilight. Like the grain offering of the morning, and like its drink offering, you shall offer it as a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Numbers 28:8 nlt

Offer the second lamb in the evening with the same grain offering and liquid offering. It, too, is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Numbers 28 verses

Numbers 28 8 Meaning

Numbers 28:8 specifies the precise instruction for the evening daily burnt offering. It states that the second of the two daily lambs is to be presented in the evening, accompanied by the exact same grain (meat) offering and drink offering that were prescribed for the morning sacrifice. This entire offering, consumed by fire on the altar, is to be presented as "a sweet savour unto the LORD," signifying its divine acceptance and the satisfaction it brings to God. The verse underscores the consistent, unending nature of this daily act of worship.

Numbers 28 8 Context

Numbers chapter 28 initiates a detailed account of the "standing offerings," or perpetual sacrifices (tamid in Hebrew), which were to be offered daily by the Israelites. This particular verse, Numbers 28:8, forms part of the introductory section (verses 3-8) concerning the twice-daily burnt offering of lambs, establishing the core ritual of the national worship at the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple).

Historically, these laws were given at Mount Sinai (or renewed/elaborated during the wilderness wanderings), preparing the generation entering the Promised Land for orderly, consistent worship of Yahweh. The instructions underscore God's expectation of perpetual communion and atonement for the nation. Culturally, these meticulously defined rituals set Israel's worship apart from the surrounding pagan practices, which often involved arbitrary, chaotic, or even depraved acts. God's system emphasized holiness, order, specific offerings, and divine approval ("sweet savour"), starkly contrasting with the self-willed worship of foreign deities. The repetition and precise specification were critical for maintaining doctrinal and practical purity amidst external pressures and internal human tendencies towards innovation.

Numbers 28 8 Word analysis

• The other lamb: הַכֶּבֶשׂ הָאֶחָד (hakkeveś hā’eḥāḏ) - "the one lamb." Refers to the second of the two lambs mandated for daily offering. The term כֶּבֶשׂ (kěves) denotes a young male lamb, ideally suitable for sacrifice due to its purity and innocence. It emphasizes the continuity and repetition of the same type of sacrifice morning and evening.
• shalt thou offer: תַּקְרִיב (taqrîḇ) - "you shall bring near/present." This verb specifically indicates the priestly action of bringing an offering into the divine presence on the altar. It highlights that this is a commanded, deliberate act of worship.
• at even: בָּעֶרֶב (bā‘ereḇ) - "in the evening." Specifies the time of day for the second offering, corresponding to the setting of the sun. This dual daily schedule (morning and evening) represented a continuous covenantal acknowledgment before the LORD throughout the day and night.
• as the meat offering of the morning: כְּמִנְחַת הַבֹּקֶר (kəminḥaṯ habbōqer) - "like the grain offering of the morning." מִנְחָה (minḥāh) is a grain or gift offering, typically unleavened flour with oil and frankincense. The phrase emphasizes consistency – the accompaniments to both daily offerings must be identical, demonstrating unwavering devotion.
• and as the drink offering thereof: וּכְנִסְכָּהּ (ûḵənisḵāh) - "and like its drink offering." נֵסֶךְ (neseḵ) is a libation, usually of wine, poured out upon the altar. This liquid offering, along with the grain, was an integral and non-negotiable part of the daily burnt offering, symbolizing prosperity, dedication, and completeness.
• shalt thou offer it: Repetition of the verb תַּקְרִיב (taqrîḇ). This reinforces the command for its precise execution. The emphasis on offering it (the whole prescribed complex of lamb, grain, and drink) underlines the complete and undiminished nature of the sacrifice.
• a sacrifice made by fire: אִשֶּׁה (ʾiššeh) - "an offering by fire." This designates the method of offering, where the entire offering (burnt offering) or parts of it (other offerings) are consumed by fire on the altar, ascending as smoke to God. It highlights the consuming nature of worship and divine reception.
• of a sweet savour: רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ (rêaḥ nîḥōaḥ) - "a pleasing aroma," or "smell of rest/satisfaction." This anthropomorphism indicates God's acceptance and delight in the offering. It signifies that the offering, when presented according to divine instruction, appeases God's wrath and finds favor in His sight.
• unto the LORD: לַיהוָה (laYHWH) - "to Yahweh." Specifies the divine recipient of the worship. This is not an offering to any deity but exclusively to the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His uniqueness and sovereignty.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The other lamb shalt thou offer at even": This sets the specific time and subject for the second daily tamid offering, highlighting its paired nature with the morning sacrifice. It underlines divine order in worship.
• "as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof": This mandates the exact same accompanying elements for the evening sacrifice as for the morning, emphasizing consistency and precision in worship details. God specifies how He desires to be approached.
• "shalt thou offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD": This concluding phrase affirms the offering's proper method of consumption and, most importantly, its divine acceptance. The "sweet savour" speaks to God's pleasure and the worshiper's achieved reconciliation or commendation, pointing directly to the theological efficacy and purpose of the ritual.

Numbers 28 8 Bonus section

• The Hebrew term tamid, though not explicitly in verse 8, implicitly frames this instruction. It means "continual" or "perpetual," highlighting that this offering was an unending obligation, symbolic of God's unwavering covenant loyalty and the perpetual need for Israel to be in right relationship with Him.
• The ritualistic exactness (same time, same accompanying offerings) found in this verse underlines divine authority and human obedience. It suggests that acceptable worship is not improvised but delivered according to God's prescriptive will. This concept remains relevant for Christian worship, which is shaped by God's commands in the New Testament rather than human invention.
• The "sweet savour" concept originates with Noah's offering after the flood (Gen 8:21), marking God's favor and the turning of His wrath. In the context of the Mosaic law, it signified not only acceptance but also propitiation, where God was "satisfied" by the prescribed means of atonement, allowing His holy presence to remain among a sinful people.
• These sacrifices were preparatory and pointed towards the ultimate, singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They could not truly take away sins (Heb 10:4), but they demonstrated God's justice and grace, foreshadowing the definitive expiation offered by the "Lamb of God."

Numbers 28 8 Commentary

Numbers 28:8 precisely details the second daily lamb offering, the tamid, emphasizing its unchanging nature and the meticulous care required in its execution. The verse is not merely a ritualistic directive; it encapsulates profound theological principles. The consistency "day by day continually" points to God's ceaseless grace and Israel's ongoing need for atonement and communion. The minḥah (grain) and neseḵ (drink) offerings, along with the lamb, signified a comprehensive act of devotion involving material sustenance, vitality (wine), and life itself. The ultimate purpose, to be "a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD," underlines God's specific requirements for worship and His joyful reception of obedience.

This perpetual sacrifice served as a constant reminder to Israel of their covenant relationship, their dependency on God, and His holy presence among them. It looked forward to Christ, the true "Lamb of God," whose once-for-all sacrifice fulfills and transcends all Old Testament offerings, becoming the ultimate "sweet-smsmelling savour" to God (Eph 5:2). For believers today, this daily offering echoes the call to present our bodies as living, holy, acceptable sacrifices (Rom 12:1), continuously living lives pleasing to the Lord, trusting in the perfect work of Christ as our singular and eternally pleasing offering.