Numbers 29:20
And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish;
Original Language Analysis
וּבַיּ֧וֹם
day
H3117
וּבַיּ֧וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 13
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
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֛י
And on the third
H7992
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֛י
And on the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
2 of 13
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
פָּרִ֥ים
bullocks
H6499
פָּרִ֥ים
bullocks
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
3 of 13
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
עָשָׂ֖ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֖ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
5 of 13
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
אֵילִ֣ם
rams
H352
אֵילִ֣ם
rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
6 of 13
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 #:
9 of 13
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
Bronze altar dimensions (Exodus 27:1—7.5 feet square, 4.5 feet high) limited simultaneous carcass processing. Priests worked in coordinated teams: slaughterers, blood-sprinklers, butchers, fire-tenders. The Mishnah (Tamid 3-4) describes this choreography, preserved from Second Temple practice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Sukkot's extravagant sacrificial abundance prefigure the gospel's lavish grace 'exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think' (Ephesians 3:20)?
- What does the festival's joyful generosity teach about Christian stewardship versus miserly religiosity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
On the third day eleven bullocks—The descent continues (13, 12, 11...), maintaining rhythmic predictability. Day three's eleven bullocks plus two rams and fourteen lambs totaled 27 animals for burnt offerings alone, plus one sin offering—28 animals on one day, not counting the tamid lambs.
This massive slaughter required multiple priests working simultaneously at the bronze altar. The sheer scale of Sukkot's sacrifices distinguished it as the festival of abundance, reflecting agricultural harvest and anticipating Messianic banquet imagery (Isaiah 25:6, Matthew 22:1-14, Revelation 19:9).