Numbers Chapter 29 · Verse 36
But ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish:
Original Language Analysis
וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם
But ye shall offer
H7126
וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם
But ye shall offer
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 15
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
עֹלָ֜ה
a burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָ֜ה
a burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
2 of 15
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
אִשֵּׁ֨ה
a sacrifice made by fire
H801
אִשֵּׁ֨ה
a sacrifice made by fire
Strong's:
H801
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice
נִיחֹ֙חַ֙
of a sweet
H5207
נִיחֹ֙חַ֙
of a sweet
Strong's:
H5207
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
פַּ֥ר
bullock
H6499
פַּ֥ר
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
7 of 15
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
אַ֣יִל
ram
H352
אַ֣יִל
ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
9 of 15
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 #:
12 of 15
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
Shemini Atzeret (Leviticus 23:36, 39) was a distinct convocation, separate from but attached to Sukkot. Later Jewish tradition saw it as God's intimate farewell to Israel after the seven-day festival, like a king asking his children to stay one more day. Its unique one-bull offering distinguished it from the preceding week.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the shift from seventy bulls (days 1-7) to one bull (day 8) illustrate the movement from old covenant multiplicity to new covenant singularity in Christ?
- What does the "sweet savour" language teach about God's pleasure in acceptable sacrifice, culminating in Christ's offering (Ephesians 5:2)?
- In what ways does the eighth day (beyond the seven-day completeness) point to resurrection, new creation, and eternal realities beyond the temporal week?
Analysis & Commentary
One bullock, one ram, seven lambs—The eighth day (Shemini Atzeret, שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת, Eighth Assembly) breaks the descending pattern dramatically: from seven bulls on day seven to just one. This singular offering marks a qualitative shift from the quantitative progression, pointing to the one sufficient sacrifice of Christ.
A sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD (isheh, re'ach nichoach, אִשֶּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ)—the "aroma of satisfaction" language appears throughout Leviticus (1:9, 13, 17), depicting God's acceptance of substitutionary offerings. The eighth day's single bull beautifully foreshadows "one sacrifice for sins for ever" (Hebrews 10:12).