Numbers 29 17

Numbers 29:17 kjv

And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:

Numbers 29:17 nkjv

'On the second day present twelve young bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs in their first year without blemish,

Numbers 29:17 niv

"?'On the second day offer twelve young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.

Numbers 29:17 esv

"On the second day twelve bulls from the herd, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:17 nlt

"On the second day of this seven-day festival, sacrifice twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one-year-old male lambs, all with no defects.

Numbers 29 verses

Numbers 29 17 Meaning

Numbers 29:17 details the specific animal sacrifices required on the second day of the Feast of Tabernacles, following the initial day's pattern. It specifies that the congregational offering for this day would consist of twelve young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs, all required to be "without spot," signifying their perfection and acceptability before God. This verse is part of a larger section outlining the elaborate sacrificial calendar for the year's sacred feasts, particularly the seven-day festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles).

Numbers 29 17 Context

Numbers chapter 29 outlines the specific daily offerings for the festivals celebrated in the seventh month of the Israelite calendar. This month was particularly rich in religious observance, including the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Numbers 29:17 falls within the detailed instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles, which commenced on the fifteenth day of the seventh month and lasted for seven days, followed by a solemn assembly on the eighth day. This feast celebrated God's provision during the wilderness wandering, commemorating Israel's dwelling in temporary booths (tabernacles) and also giving thanks for the autumn harvest. The historical context reflects a nation under covenant with God, instructed to meticulously follow divine commands for worship, particularly regarding the elaborate sacrificial system which underscored their relationship with a holy God and pointed forward to the ultimate atonement. A notable pattern within the Tabernacles offerings, established from the first day and continuing throughout, is the decreasing number of bullocks offered each successive day, from thirteen on day one down to seven on day seven, while the numbers of rams and lambs remained consistent.

Numbers 29 17 Word analysis

• On the second day (בַּיּוֹם הַשֵּׁנִי - bayyôm haššēnî): "Second" (שֵׁנִי - sheni) indicates sequence. The meticulous enumeration of sacrifices for each day underscores the order, specificity, and daily dedication required during the lengthy seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. This emphasizes the continuous nature of worship and reliance on God throughout the festival.
• ye shall offer (וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם - vehikravtem): From the root קָרַב (qarab), meaning "to draw near, approach, present, bring forward." In the Hiphil conjugation, it specifically refers to "causing to approach" or "offering" a sacrifice. This verb denotes a mandatory action of bringing offerings into the Lord's presence, signifying a holy act of communion and atonement. It highlights the obligation of the community to participate in corporate worship.
• twelve (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר - shneim asar): The number twelve (for young bullocks) is significant. It continues the decreasing pattern of bullock offerings from the initial thirteen on the first day of Tabernacles. This specific number signifies the ongoing large-scale national offering, decreasing each day, possibly representing prayers for the twelve tribes or nations, or symbolizing the waning dry season.
• young bullocks (פָּרִים בְּנֵי בָקָר - pārim b'nei baqar): "Bullocks" (פָּרִים - parim) are young male cattle, large and valuable animals, symbolizing strength and often used for sin offerings and major congregational burnt offerings. Their significant cost implies the importance and gravity of the offering. "Young" (בְּנֵי בָקָר - b'nei baqar) means "sons of the herd," further specifying their age and vigor.
• two rams (אֵילִם שְׁנַיִם - 'eylim shnayim): "Rams" (אֵילִם - 'eylim) are adult male sheep. They were commonly used for burnt offerings (Lev 1:10-13), peace offerings, and for ordination ceremonies, signifying consecration and devotion. Their consistent number throughout the feast (two per day) emphasizes a steadfast element of the daily corporate burnt offering.
• fourteen lambs (כְּבָשִׂים בְּנֵי שָׁנָה אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר - kevasim b'nei shana arba'ah asar): "Lambs" (כְּבָשִׂים - kevasim) refer to male sheep, quintessential offerings for burnt offerings (Lev 1:10-13) and often symbolic of innocence and purity. "Of the first year" (בְּנֵי שָׁנָה - b'nei shana) indicates that they were young, vigorous, and unblemished, reinforcing their prime condition for sacrifice. The number fourteen (twice seven) highlights a pattern of completeness and purity for these animals.
• without spot (תְּמִימִם - temimim): From the root תָּמַם (tamam), meaning "to be complete, sound, entire, perfect." This critical requirement, often translated as "without blemish," applies to all sacrificial animals. It denotes physical perfection and absence of any defect or disease, symbolizing the moral and spiritual purity required by God in all worship. This foreshadows the flawless nature of the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ, who was without blemish (1 Pet 1:19).

• Word-group analysis: "On the second day ye shall offer": This phrase establishes the sequential daily ritual and divine command for specific sacrifices. It underlines the Israelites' obedience to a highly structured worship calendar, crucial for maintaining their covenant relationship with God. "twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs": The varying and diminishing count of bullocks contrasted with the consistent count of rams and lambs, highlights the unique structure of the Feast of Tabernacles offerings. The bullocks often represented offerings for the sins of the nation or specific tribal elements, their decrease potentially reflecting a deepening spiritual focus throughout the feast, or specific prayers for the nations (70 bulls in total throughout the feast, mirroring the 70 nations listed in Gen 10). The fixed numbers for rams and lambs suggest consistent, essential daily atonement and devotion. * "of the first year without spot": This entire phrase, particularly "without spot," is paramount. It emphasizes the absolute perfection demanded for offerings presented to a holy God. This purity standard points to the high moral and ethical purity God expects from His people, and critically, it serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was entirely without blemish or sin, the only one capable of offering a perfect and complete atonement for humanity (1 Pet 1:19; 2 Cor 5:21).

Numbers 29 17 Bonus section

The total number of bullocks offered over the seven days of Tabernacles is seventy (13+12+11+10+9+8+7). Many Jewish traditions connect this number to the seventy nations (gentiles) mentioned in Genesis 10. The daily diminishing number of bullocks during Tabernacles is unique among Israelite festivals and has been interpreted in various ways: as a diminishing prayer for the gentile nations or as a movement from outward focus (many bullocks for the large congregation/world) to a more inward focus as the feast progresses, culminating in a highly significant Sabbath on the final day. Another view links the decreasing bullocks to the diminishing rains and the dry season, contrasting with the need for rain for the next harvest, emphasized by the water-drawing ceremony traditionally performed during Sukkot. The burnt offerings ('olah), signified by the bullocks, rams, and lambs, were entirely consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and pleasing aroma to God (a "soothing aroma" - רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ - reiakh nihoakh). This highlights total consecration of the people's substance to God.

Numbers 29 17 Commentary

Numbers 29:17 provides precise instructions for the sacrifices on the second day of the Feast of Tabernacles. This verse illustrates the detailed and non-negotiable nature of Mosaic worship, emphasizing order, consistency (in rams and lambs), and a peculiar pattern of decreasing bullock sacrifices that distinguished this particular feast. The animals' quantity underscores the vast national offering for atonement and celebration. The unwavering requirement for all animals to be "without spot" underscores the holy character of God and the perfection necessary for approaching Him. This ancient ritual served as a profound object lesson, teaching Israel about the gravity of sin, the necessity of substitutionary atonement, and God's absolute demand for holiness, all pointing forward to the sinless Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose perfect sacrifice alone fulfills and ultimately abolishes the need for these animal offerings, replacing them with a singular, final redemption.