Numbers 29:28
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
The continual burnt offering, established in Exodus 29:38-42, was the backbone of Israel's sacrificial system, offered twice daily every day of the year. The additional festival sacrifices were layered on top of this perpetual worship, demonstrating that special occasions intensified rather than replaced regular devotion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the pairing of joyful festival worship with sin offerings guard against presumption in your spiritual life?
- What "continual" practices form the foundation of your walk with God that special occasions build upon?
- How does the perpetual nature of the tamid offering deepen your understanding of Christ's eternal intercession (Hebrews 7:25)?
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Analysis & Commentary
One goat for a sin offering—The daily chatat (חַטָּאת, sin offering) throughout the festival, beside the continual burnt offering (olat ha-tamid, עֹלַת הַתָּמִיד), ensured ongoing atonement even during joyful celebration. This reflects the sobering reality that human sinfulness persists even in worship contexts.
The tamid (perpetual offering) of morning and evening lambs (Numbers 28:3-8) never ceased, forming the foundation upon which festival sacrifices were added. No matter the occasion, daily atonement remained essential—pointing to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice that fulfills what the perpetual system foreshadowed (Hebrews 10:11-14).