Numbers 29:38
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
This concluding sin offering of the most joyful festival in Israel's calendar reinforced that covenant relationship rested on blood atonement, not human merit. The entire eight-day sequence taught that God's blessings flow through substitutionary sacrifice, a pattern pointing to Calvary.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the eighth-day sin offering, even in its eschatological symbolism, guard against presumption about your spiritual state?
- What does the contrast between eight days of goat offerings and Christ's one eternal offering reveal about the superiority of the New Covenant?
- How does the "beside the continual burnt offering" refrain shape your understanding of layering special devotion on foundational daily obedience?
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Analysis & Commentary
One goat for a sin offering—The eighth and final chatat of the festival sequence. Even this climactic day beyond the seven-day completeness requires atonement beside the continual burnt offering. The eschatological symbolism of the eighth day does not negate present sinfulness—a crucial corrective to over-realized eschatology.
The eighth-day sin offering points to the permanence of Christ's atonement in the new creation. While the old covenant required repeated offerings, even on the "eternal eighth day," Christ's single sacrifice secures eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). The pattern is fulfilled and transcended: we need no more goats, for we have the Lamb.