Numbers 29:17
And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
Original Language Analysis
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַשֵּׁנִ֗י
And on the second
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֗י
And on the second
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
פָּרִ֧ים
bullocks
H6499
פָּרִ֧ים
bullocks
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
3 of 15
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָקָ֛ר
H1241
בָקָ֛ר
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
5 of 15
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
עָשָׂ֖ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֖ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
7 of 15
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
אֵילִ֣ם
rams
H352
אֵילִ֣ם
rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Historical Context
The second through seventh days followed identical liturgical structure—only the bullock count changed. This repetition facilitated memorization in a largely pre-literate society where oral tradition preserved Torah. Priests learned the pattern: decrease bullocks by one, maintain rams at two, lambs at fourteen, always one sin offering.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the 70-nations symbolism teach about worship's cosmic scope beyond individualistic piety?
- How might the descending pattern prefigure the 'passing away' of the old covenant once Messiah inaugurates the new (Hebrews 8:13)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
On the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks—The descending bullock count begins: day 1 = 13, day 2 = 12, continuing to day 7 = 7. This unique pattern totals 70 bullocks across seven days. While rams (2) and lambs (14) remained constant, the diminishing bullocks created asymmetry demanding explanation.
Rabbinic interpretation saw 70 bullocks representing the nations (Genesis 10), decreasing as Messiah's kingdom subdues the world. Christian typology sees the descent symbolizing the world's fading glory versus the eternal eighth day (verse 35). The pattern's intentionality underscores numerical symbolism pervading Mosaic law.