Numbers 29:22
And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.
Original Language Analysis
חַטָּ֖את
for a sin offering
H2403
חַטָּ֖את
for a sin offering
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
2 of 8
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
מִלְּבַד֙
H905
מִלְּבַד֙
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
עֹלַ֣ת
burnt offering
H5930
עֹלַ֣ת
burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
5 of 8
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
הַתָּמִ֔יד
beside the continual
H8548
הַתָּמִ֔יד
beside the continual
Strong's:
H8548
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
Historical Context
Goats, hardier than sheep, thrived in Judea's rocky terrain. Their use in sin offerings may reflect their association with wilderness (scapegoat sent to Azazel) versus sheep's pastoral domesticity. Priestly manuals specified age, gender, and type of animal for each offering category.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did God designate goats rather than lambs for most sin offerings, and what does this teach about atonement's nature?
- How does the daily sin offering's regularity challenge the presumption that spiritual maturity eliminates the need for confession?
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Analysis & Commentary
One goat for a sin offering—Day three's chatat uses sa'ir (שָׂעִיר, male goat) rather than se'ir, though meaning is identical. The goat, commonly used for sin offerings (Leviticus 4:23, 9:3, 16:9), symbolized sin-bearing, contrasted with lambs representing innocence.
The goat/lamb distinction illuminated Christ's dual typology: the lamb led to slaughter (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29) and the scapegoat bearing iniquity into wilderness (Leviticus 16:21-22). Each day's single goat reminded Israel that atonement was always necessary, even during joyful celebration.