Numbers 6 16

Numbers 6:16 kjv

And the priest shall bring them before the LORD, and shall offer his sin offering, and his burnt offering:

Numbers 6:16 nkjv

Then the priest shall bring them before the LORD and offer his sin offering and his burnt offering;

Numbers 6:16 niv

"?'The priest is to present all these before the LORD and make the sin offering and the burnt offering.

Numbers 6:16 esv

And the priest shall bring them before the LORD and offer his sin offering and his burnt offering,

Numbers 6:16 nlt

The priest will present these offerings before the LORD: first the sin offering and the burnt offering;

Numbers 6 verses

Numbers 6 16 Meaning

Numbers 6:16 describes a crucial step in the Nazirite ritual: the priest's presentation and offering of the prescribed sacrifices. For a Nazirite who has completed their vow, or undergone purification from defilement, this verse highlights the necessary atonement for any unintended sin or inherent human imperfection through the sin offering, followed by the complete dedication to the LORD symbolized by the burnt offering. The priest serves as the indispensable mediator in this sacred act, bringing the individual's commitment to a Divinely acceptable conclusion before God.

Numbers 6 16 Context

Numbers 6:16 is situated within the Mosaic Law's detailed instructions for the Nazirite vow (Num 6:1-21). This specific verse describes the ritual acts performed by the priest on behalf of the Nazirite after their period of separation, whether they have successfully completed their vow or have been defiled and cleansed. It follows the specification of the required offerings (Num 6:14-15) and precedes the offering of the peace offering, meal offering, and drink offering (Num 6:17).

The immediate context emphasizes that even after a period of extreme dedication and separation unto God, an individual's holiness is not self-generated. It still requires a prescribed, divinely instituted system of atonement and dedication mediated by the priesthood. The broader context includes the Levitical sacrificial system (Leviticus 1-7) which established the purposes of the sin offering for cleansing impurity and unwitting sin, and the burnt offering for total consecration and pleasing aroma to God. This Nazirite law underscores the Israelites' covenant relationship with a holy God and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms, acknowledging both human sinfulness and the call to complete devotion. The inclusion of a sin offering, even for a presumably pure Nazirite completing their vow, points to the inherent imperfection of humanity and the pervasive need for atonement.

Numbers 6 16 Word analysis

• And the priest (וְהִקְרִיב הַכֹּהֵן, vehiqriv hakkōhen):
  • "And" (וְ, ve): Connects this action directly to the previous verses outlining the Nazirite's offerings.
  • "The priest" (הַכֹּהֵן, hakkōhen): Refers to the singular, designated Aaronic priest, the only individual authorized to handle the sacred offerings and officiate such rituals. His role signifies necessary mediation between humanity and a holy God (Ex 28:1), demonstrating that individuals could not approach God on their own terms but through God's appointed channels.
• shall bring them before the LORD (הִקְרִיב אֹתָם לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, hikriv otam lifnei YHVH):
  • "Bring them" (הִקְרִיב, hikriv from qarab, קָרַב): Literally "to cause to come near" or "to present." This verb is technical, used specifically for presenting offerings in a sacred context. It implies a drawing near to God in His sanctuary. "Them" refers to the prescribed animals mentioned in Numbers 6:14-15.
  • "Before the LORD" (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lifnei YHVH): Signifies the presence of Yahweh, emphasizing the solemnity and divine focus of the act. Offerings were brought to the altar, which stood in the Tabernacle or Temple courtyard, the space where God manifested His presence (Lev 1:3; Lev 9:5). This phrase underscores that the entire ritual is directed towards God and acknowledges His holiness.
• and offer (וְעָשָׂה, ve'asah):
  • "And offer" (וְעָשָׂה, ve'asah): Literally "and do" or "and make." This verb, in the context of sacrifices, means to perform the full ritual required for the offering, including the slaughter, blood manipulation, and burning of parts on the altar according to the precise instructions given in Leviticus. It signifies the execution of the entire sacrificial ceremony.
• his sin offering (אֶת-חַטָּאתוֹ, et-chattato):
  • "His sin offering" (חַטָּאת, chatta't): This sacrifice primarily cleanses from ritual impurity or makes atonement for unwitting sins (Lev 4:2). In the Nazirite context, it could cleanse from defilement if it occurred (Num 6:9-12). More broadly, its presence after a presumably "perfectly kept" vow suggests it also covers inherent human imperfection, potential minor and unrecorded infractions, or simply acknowledges the universal need for atonement before a holy God, purifying the person even from a general state of "sinfulness" inherent in humanity.
• and his burnt offering (וְאֶת-עֹלָתוֹ, ve'et-'olato):
  • "And his burnt offering" (עוֹלָה, 'olah): Derived from 'alah (עָלָה), meaning "to go up." This offering was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication, surrender, and acceptance by God (Lev 1:9). It creates a "pleasing aroma" to the LORD, signifying total devotion and propitiation. Its offering immediately after the sin offering signifies the theological sequence: purification from sin enables wholehearted dedication and acceptance before God.

• Word-group analysis:
  • "The priest shall bring them before the LORD and offer": This phrase underscores the fundamental role of the priesthood in Israelite worship. Access to God's presence and the effectiveness of sacred acts were predicated on divine appointment and adherence to the prescribed mediatory rituals, signifying that human efforts alone are insufficient for approaching a holy God.
  • "his sin offering and his burnt offering": This juxtaposition highlights two crucial aspects of Israel's relationship with God: first, the indispensable need for atonement and cleansing from impurity or sin ("sin offering"); and second, the subsequent call to complete and wholehearted devotion and surrender to God ("burnt offering"). The fixed order, sin offering preceding burnt offering, reflects the theological principle that reconciliation and purification are necessary prerequisites for acceptable devotion and fellowship with a holy God.

Numbers 6 16 Bonus section

• Order of Offerings: The precise order in which these offerings are performed—sin offering first, then burnt offering, followed by the peace offering, grain offering, and drink offering (Num 6:17)—is theologically significant. It emphasizes that reconciliation for sin must precede complete dedication to God and the experience of peace and fellowship with Him. You cannot enter into communion or offer acceptable dedication to a holy God without first addressing sin and impurity.
• Polemical Significance: This ritual stands in contrast to pagan religious practices of the time, which often lacked a robust concept of pervasive sin requiring specific atonement. The Nazirite law, culminating in this verse, asserts that even self-chosen rigorous holiness necessitates God's prescribed means of purification, preventing any notion of self-salvation or human-generated purity.
• Human Limitation even in Dedication: The requirement of a sin offering, even after a seemingly "perfectly kept" Nazirite vow (if no defilement occurred), speaks to the profound biblical truth of humanity's pervasive sinfulness. No amount of self-denial or strict observance can eradicate the need for atonement before a holy God; human best efforts still fall short of divine perfection.
• Fulfillment in Christ: The entire system of priestly offerings, including those for the Nazirite, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "sin offering" who dealt with sin definitively (Rom 8:3; Heb 9:26) and the perfect "burnt offering," completely devoted to God's will (Eph 5:2; Heb 10:5-10). His single sacrifice provides both perfect atonement and enables true, acceptable dedication for all who believe, thus rendering the shadow system of animal sacrifices no longer necessary (Hebrews 9-10).

Numbers 6 16 Commentary

Numbers 6:16 pinpoints the culmination of the Nazirite's period of special consecration. It underscores that even the most zealous personal commitment to God, like the Nazirite vow, still fundamentally relied on God's established sacrificial system and the mediation of His appointed priest. The "sin offering" acknowledges the inherent imperfections and potential defilements that may occur even within a vow of holiness, underscoring that complete purity and acceptance before God are not achieved solely by human effort or adherence to rules but require divine atonement. The subsequent "burnt offering" symbolizes the complete and total dedication of the Nazirite to the LORD, made acceptable through the preceding purification. This verse teaches a profound truth: approach to God necessitates cleansing from sin before total consecration can be received as a pleasing offering. It illustrates that all true devotion flows from, and depends upon, God's provision for dealing with sin and enabling reconciliation. This established pattern foreshadows the ultimate perfect sacrifice and priesthood of Christ, who uniquely provides both atonement and acceptable dedication.