Numbers 6:16
And the priest shall bring them before the LORD, and shall offer his sin offering, and his burnt offering:
Original Language Analysis
וְהִקְרִ֥יב
shall bring
H7126
וְהִקְרִ֥יב
shall bring
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 9
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 9
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
לִפְנֵ֣י
them before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
them before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְעָשָׂ֥ה
and shall offer
H6213
וְעָשָׂ֥ה
and shall offer
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 9
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַטָּאת֖וֹ
his sin offering
H2403
חַטָּאת֖וֹ
his sin offering
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
7 of 9
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
Historical Context
The order of sacrifices followed the standard pattern: sin offering to cleanse, burnt offering to dedicate, then peace offering for fellowship. Even the Nazirite's holy living did not make him acceptable apart from blood atonement. The priest's mediating role prefigured Christ's greater priesthood.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the Nazirite's need for sin offering teach about human inability to achieve righteousness through devotion?
- How does the order of offerings—cleansing before dedication—illustrate the gospel pattern?
- In what ways does the priest's mediating role point forward to Christ's superior priesthood?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The priest's presentation of the sin offering and burnt offering on the Nazirite's behalf demonstrates that even dedicated, consecrated service requires atonement. The Nazirite, though specially devoted to God, was still a sinner needing sacrifice. The sin offering dealt with defilement, while the burnt offering expressed total dedication. This order—sin addressed first, then dedication—reflects the gospel pattern. The Reformed doctrine of total depravity applies even to the most devoted—all need atonement through sacrifice.