Numbers 29 37

Numbers 29:37 kjv

Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:

Numbers 29:37 nkjv

and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, by their number, according to the ordinance;

Numbers 29:37 niv

With the bull, the ram and the lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified.

Numbers 29:37 esv

and the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, in the prescribed quantities;

Numbers 29:37 nlt

Each of these offerings must be accompanied by its prescribed grain offering and liquid offering.

Numbers 29 verses

Numbers 29 37 Meaning

Numbers 29:37 describes the accompanying offerings prescribed for the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, known as Shemini Atzeret. It specifies the "grain offering" (minhâ) and "drink offerings" (nesakhîm) required for the primary animal sacrifices of a bull, a ram, and the lambs offered on this solemn assembly. This verse underscores that these diverse offerings—burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, and peace offerings—must be presented precisely "according to their number" and "according to the ordinance," emphasizing God's meticulous instructions for Israel's worship.

Numbers 29 37 Context

Numbers chapter 29 details the elaborate and precise sacrificial requirements for Israel's annual fall festivals: the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and particularly the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), culminating in the solemn assembly of Shemini Atzeret (the Eighth Day). The surrounding verses (Num 29:35-38) specifically outline the sacrifices for this eighth day, which immediately follows the seven days of Sukkot.

On this final, distinct day, fewer animals were offered compared to the previous days of Sukkot, signifying a culmination and a shift. Numbers 29:37 is an integral part of this description, detailing the accompanying "grain offering" and "drink offerings" for the primary animal sacrifices of a single bull, a ram, and seven male lambs without blemish (mentioned in Num 29:36). The emphasis on "according to their number" and "according to the ordinance" highlights the meticulous obedience required in Israel's corporate worship, showcasing God's sovereignty and His demand for worship exactly as He prescribed.

Numbers 29 37 Word analysis

• their (וְנִסְכֵּהֶם - wənisəkhêhem, from the suffix הֶם - hem, "their"; for other terms, the possessive applies from context): Refers to the collective responsibility of the priests representing the community, and ultimately the offerings made by Israel. It emphasizes that these were communal, prescribed acts of worship for the nation.
• grain offering (וּמִנְחָתָן - ûminḥāthān, from מִנְחָה - minḥâ): A "meal offering" or "cereal offering," typically made of flour, oil, and frankincense. It was an offering of thanksgiving and dedication, representing the produce of the land and the fruit of human labor, acknowledged as gifts from God. It always accompanied the burnt offering, signifying that the entire life, spiritual and physical, was offered to God.
• and its (וְנִסְכֵּהֶם - wənisəkhêhem, the conjunction "and" is significant in linking these components): Connects the various prescribed offerings, emphasizing that each component was essential and complementary.
• drink offerings (וְנִסְכֵּהֶם - wənisəkhêhem, from נֶסֶךְ - nesekh, plural): Libations of wine, often poured out at the base of the altar. These symbolized a "pouring out" of life, joy, and devotion to God. They signified God's abundant blessing (wine often symbolizing joy) and Israel's full response. The "them" suffix (their) refers to the offerings required for each category of animal sacrifice mentioned subsequently.
• for the bull (לַפָּרִים - lappārîm, "for the bulls" but here grammatically singular or distributive for the bull offering): The large animal offering, symbolizing strength and complete devotion, specifically for the sin of the entire community or priesthood.
• for the ram (לָאֵילִם - lā’êlîm, "for the rams" but singular for the ram offering): A medium-sized animal, often associated with burnt offerings for atonement or dedication.
• and for the lambs (וְלַכְּבָשִׂים - wəlakkəvāsîm, "and for the lambs"): Younger animals, frequently used in large numbers for national offerings, representing general communal purity and continuous atonement.
• and for their burnt offerings (וְעֹלֹתֵיהֶם - wəʿōlōṯêhem, "and their burnt offerings"): From עוֹלָה (ʿôlāh), an offering that was completely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication to God. These are the primary animal sacrifices the grain and drink offerings accompanied.
• their grain offerings (מִנְחֹתָן - minḥōṯān): This re-emphasizes the accompanying grain offerings for all the various burnt offerings.
• and their drink offerings (וְנִסְכֵּיהֶם - wənisəkhêhem): Re-emphasizes the accompanying drink offerings for all the various burnt offerings.
• and their peace offerings (וּשְׁלָמִים - ûšəālāmîm, "and peace offerings"): From שֶׁלֶם (šelem), an offering of fellowship or communion, part of which was eaten by the worshiper and priests. It symbolized restored harmony and fellowship with God and fellow Israelites. These offerings were distinct from the burnt offerings but also required precise observance.
• according to their number (בְּמִסְפָּרָם - bəmisəpārām): Lit. "in their counting" or "according to their quantity." Highlights God's specific numerical requirements for each sacrifice, leaving no room for human alteration or arbitrary decisions. This demonstrates divine order and precise instruction.
• according to the ordinance (כַּמִּשְׁפָּט - kammisəpāṭ): From מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat), meaning "judgment," "custom," "right," "due." Here it signifies the established and divine pattern or rule that must be strictly followed. It underscores God's authority and Israel's obligation to obey His prescribed way of worship.

Words-group Analysis

• "grain offering and their drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs": This phrase details the specific complementary offerings required for each type of animal offered on Shemini Atzeret. It signifies that the major animal sacrifices were never presented in isolation, but always with specific amounts of flour and wine, forming a complete package of devotion. These smaller offerings underscore that worship involves not just a life given (animal) but also the sustenance of life (grain) and joy/blessing (drink).
• "and for their burnt offerings, their grain offerings, and their drink offerings, and their peace offerings": This lists the complete suite of offering types being presented, clarifying that the previously mentioned grain and drink offerings were in addition to (or accompanied) the burnt and peace offerings themselves. It shows the multi-faceted nature of Israel's national worship on this high day. It also implies a comprehensive national devotion involving purification (`olâ), sustenance (minḥâ), thanksgiving (nesekh), and fellowship (shelem).
• "according to their number [and] according to the ordinance": This phrase serves as a divine imprimatur, emphasizing the mandatory, non-negotiable nature of the entire sacrificial system. It leaves no room for improvisation or negligence, teaching absolute submission to God's detailed commands. It assures Israel that meticulously following these instructions ensured acceptance and maintained the covenant relationship. This theme of divine command and meticulous obedience permeates the entire book of Numbers.

Numbers 29 37 Bonus section

• The decreasing number of bulls sacrificed throughout Sukkot (13 on day one down to 7 on day seven) and then to only one on Shemini Atzeret (Numbers 29:12-36) is a notable feature. This decline is often interpreted as either a shift from a universal emphasis (covering the 70 nations or the entire scope of the covenant year) towards a more particular, introspective focus on Israel itself, or a journey from intensive celebratory offerings to a solemn, climatic conclusion on the final day.
• Shemini Atzeret is seen by some traditions as a distinct festival, a kind of "going away party" with God, where after the celebratory week in tabernacles, Israel is invited into a more intimate, solitary encounter with God. The decrease in sacrifices for this day compared to Sukkot reinforces its unique character and spiritual focus.
• The inclusion of peace offerings (shelem) among the various types on Shemini Atzeret signifies the desire for, and enjoyment of, reconciled fellowship with God, complementing the burnt offerings which focused on complete dedication and atonement.
• The meticulous nature of the Law concerning offerings ensured uniformity and prevented the corruption of worship seen in surrounding pagan cultures, which often adapted their rituals based on superstition or human will. God's specific demands emphasized His holiness and the serious nature of approaching Him.

Numbers 29 37 Commentary

Numbers 29:37 concludes the enumeration of the sacrificial requirements for Shemini Atzeret, the distinct eighth day following the Feast of Tabernacles. While the primary animal offerings are mentioned earlier (Num 29:36), this verse explicitly includes the crucial accompanying grain offerings (minhâ) and drink offerings (nesekhîm), essential components of nearly every burnt sacrifice in the Mosaic Law. The detailed listing underscores a foundational truth of Old Covenant worship: God is a God of order and specific instruction, and worship must be conducted precisely as He commands, not according to human invention. The precise quantities ("according to their number") for each animal and the insistence on adherence to established divine pattern ("according to the ordinance") reveal God's desire for pure, undistorted reverence. These offerings, varying in type (burnt, grain, drink, peace), cumulatively expressed atonement, complete surrender, thanksgiving, reliance on divine provision, and communion. For ancient Israel, strict adherence was an act of faith and obedience, vital for maintaining covenant relationship and experiencing divine blessing. This Old Covenant pattern, though now fulfilled in Christ, still provides foundational principles for worship: the need for sacrificial surrender, God's right to prescribe worship, and the beauty of offering our "all" to Him.