Numbers 7:57
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
Original Language Analysis
פַּ֣ר
bullock
H6499
פַּ֣ר
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
1 of 11
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
בֶּן
of the first
H1121
בֶּן
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָּקָ֗ר
young
H1241
בָּקָ֗ר
young
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
4 of 11
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
אַ֧יִל
ram
H352
אַ֧יִל
ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
בֶּן
of the first
H1121
בֶּן
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 11
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
Burnt offerings dated to humanity's earliest worship (Genesis 4:4, 8:20) and continued throughout Israel's history until Jerusalem's destruction (AD 70). The Hebrew olah appears 286 times in Scripture, making it the most frequently mentioned sacrifice. The practice ended when Christ's sacrifice fulfilled and superseded the entire Levitical system (Hebrews 10:1-18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the burnt offering's complete consumption challenge compartmentalized Christianity that reserves parts of life from God's lordship?
- What theological significance do you see in the threefold pattern (bullock, ram, lamb) potentially picturing Christ's threefold office as Prophet, Priest, and King?
- In what ways does understanding burnt offerings as 'that which ascends' shape your view of worship as something offered TO God rather than consumed BY you?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering—Gamaliel's olah repeats the threefold pattern: bullock (costly leadership offering), ram (mature substitute), and year-old lamb (Passover redemption). The burnt offering's complete consumption symbolized Israel's total consecration to God. Nothing was held back; the entire animal ascended as smoke to God.
The progression from large to small (bullock → ram → lamb) may reflect degrees of worshiper status (priest, leader, individual), but here all three appear together, suggesting comprehensive atonement. This threefold burnt offering anticipates Christ as Prophet (teaching bullock), Priest (interceding ram), and King (reigning lamb)—the complete mediator consuming God's wrath in our place.