Numbers 29:8
But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish:
Original Language Analysis
וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם
But ye shall offer
H7126
וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם
But ye shall offer
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 18
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
עֹלָ֤ה
a burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָ֤ה
a burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
2 of 18
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
לַֽיהוָה֙
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נִיחֹ֔חַ
for a sweet
H5207
נִיחֹ֔חַ
for a sweet
Strong's:
H5207
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight
פַּ֧ר
bullock
H6499
פַּ֧ר
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
6 of 18
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָּקָ֛ר
young
H1241
בָּקָ֛ר
young
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
8 of 18
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
אַ֣יִל
ram
H352
אַ֣יִל
ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
10 of 18
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 #:
13 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שִׁבְעָ֔ה
and seven
H7651
שִׁבְעָ֔ה
and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
15 of 18
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
תְּמִימִ֖ם
they shall be unto you without blemish
H8549
תְּמִימִ֖ם
they shall be unto you without blemish
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
16 of 18
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
Cross References
Numbers 29:13And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:Numbers 28:19But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish:
Historical Context
Numbers 29:8-11 prescribes additional offerings for Yom Kippur (10th day, 7th month) beyond Leviticus 16's ritual. Written during Israel's wilderness period (1445-1405 BC), these regulations prepared the nation for temple worship in Canaan. The sacrifices preceded the joyous Feast of Tabernacles by five days.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'sweet savour' language challenge modern worship that prioritizes personal satisfaction over God's pleasure?
- What does the demand for unblemished animals teach about God's holiness and the necessity of Christ's perfection?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
A burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour (עֹלָה לְרֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ)—The olah completely consumed on the altar signified total dedication to God. Reach nichoach (sweet savour) depicts God's pleasure in willing sacrifice, language used of Noah's altar (Genesis 8:21) and foreshadowing Christ's self-offering (Ephesians 5:2).
Without blemish (תְּמִימִם, temimim) demanded perfect animals, pointing to Christ the spotless Lamb. This Day of Atonement offering combined with those of Leviticus 16, layering priestly intercession with covenant worship before Sukkot began.