Numbers 29:31
And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, 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
Unlike the Yom Kippur sin offering (Leviticus 16), which involved elaborate ceremonies and the high priest entering the Holy of Holies, the daily festival sin offerings were routine priestly duties. Yet both testified to the same need: sinful people require mediation to approach God.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance joyful celebration of God's blessings with sober awareness of your ongoing need for grace?
- What does the "beside the continual burnt offering" pattern teach about layering special devotion on regular spiritual disciplines?
- How does the repetitive nature of sin offerings throughout the festival deepen your gratitude for Christ's once-for-all atonement?
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Analysis & Commentary
One goat for a sin offering—The sixth repetition of this phrase in the Tabernacles liturgy (vv. 5, 11, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 38) underscores the relentless need for atonement. The chatat goat was not incidental but central—beside the continual burnt offering anchored each day's elaborate ritual in the reality of human sinfulness.
The daily sin offering during a joyful harvest festival reveals a profound theological truth: celebration before a holy God requires covering. This dual emphasis on joy and atonement finds fulfillment in Christ, through whom believers "rejoice with joy unspeakable" (1 Peter 1:8) because our sins are fully covered.