Numbers 29:23
And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
Original Language Analysis
וּבַיּ֧וֹם
day
H3117
וּבַיּ֧וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 12
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
פָּרִ֥ים
bullocks
H6499
פָּרִ֥ים
bullocks
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
3 of 12
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
אֵילִ֣ם
rams
H352
אֵילִ֣ם
rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
5 of 12
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 #:
8 of 12
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
By day four, thousands of pilgrims lived in temporary booths (sukkot) throughout Jerusalem, reenacting wilderness wanderings. Families ate festive meals, waved palm branches (lulav) and citron (etrog), and celebrated God's provision—customs still observed in modern Judaism's Sukkot celebration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the midpoint's ten bullocks symbolize covenant completeness even while the overall pattern descends toward fulfillment?
- What does the festival's week-long duration teach about worship as sustained lifestyle versus occasional event?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
On the fourth day ten bullocks—Midpoint of the seven-day festival, the bullock count reaches ten, symbolizing completeness (ten commandments, ten plagues, ten esronim in the showbread). The pattern 13→12→11→10→9→8→7 creates arithmetic symmetry: total 70 bullocks, average 10 per day.
Day four's offerings (10 bullocks, 2 rams, 14 lambs, 1 goat) continued the established rhythm. The predictability taught worshipers that God values faithful consistency over dramatic innovation. Covenant relationship thrived on daily obedience, not sporadic enthusiasm.