Numbers 29:7
And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:
Original Language Analysis
וּבֶֽעָשׂוֹר֩
And ye shall have on the tenth
H6218
וּבֶֽעָשׂוֹר֩
And ye shall have on the tenth
Strong's:
H6218
Word #:
1 of 15
ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord
הַזֶּ֗ה
H2088
מִֽקְרָא
convocation
H4744
מִֽקְרָא
convocation
Strong's:
H4744
Word #:
5 of 15
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם
and ye shall afflict
H6031
וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם
and ye shall afflict
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
9 of 15
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם
your souls
H5315
נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם
your souls
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלָאכָ֖ה
any work
H4399
מְלָאכָ֖ה
any work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
Cross References
Romans 6:6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.Zechariah 12:10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.Matthew 5:4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Isaiah 22:12And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:Ezra 8:21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Historical Context
Celebrated on the tenth of Tishri, this day climaxed Israel's religious calendar. The high priest's elaborate preparations and the scapegoat ceremony (Lev 16) made reconciliation between holy God and sinful people. Jewish tradition calls it 'the Day' - needing no other identifier. After 70 AD, without temple or sacrifice, Judaism emphasized repentance and good works, missing the essential blood atonement only Christ provides.
Questions for Reflection
- How does genuine sorrow for sin (afflicting your soul) differ from mere regret over consequences?
- Do you rest in Christ's perfect atonement, or are you still trying to earn God's acceptance through works?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) required afflicting souls (Hebrew 'anah nephesh'), understood as fasting and repentance. This tenth day of the seventh month was Israel's most solemn day - the only fast commanded by Mosaic law. On this day alone, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with atoning blood (Lev 16). This foreshadows Christ's once-for-all entrance into heaven's sanctuary with His own blood (Heb 9:12, 24-26). The 'afflicting' of souls represents the broken and contrite heart God desires (Ps 51:17), acknowledging sinfulness and desperate need for divine atonement.