Numbers 7:64

Analysis & Commentary

One kid of the goats for a sin offering—The chatta'th (חַטָּאת, sin offering) addresses defilement and broken fellowship with God. The Hebrew se'ir (שְׂעִיר, male goat) was the standard sin offering for leaders and the congregation (Leviticus 4:23, 9:3). Unlike the burnt offering that ascended entirely to God, portions of the sin offering were eaten by priests (Leviticus 6:26), symbolizing the transfer of guilt to the sacrifice and then removal through priestly mediation.

The Day of Atonement featured two goats—one slain, one bearing sins into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:7-10). Together they picture Christ's dual work: dying for sin (chatta'th) and removing sin's guilt and consequences (the scapegoat, Azazel). 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares Christ 'made sin for us'—the Greek mirrors the Hebrew chatta'th, which means both 'sin' and 'sin offering.'

Historical Context

The sin offering system was instituted at Sinai (Leviticus 4-5) to maintain Israel's covenantal purity. Different animals were required based on the offender's status: bulls for priests and the whole congregation, male goats for rulers, female goats or lambs for common people. This gradation reflected greater responsibility for those in leadership, not greater divine favoritism for common people.

Questions for Reflection

• What does the distinction between burnt offerings (devotion) and sin offerings (atonement) teach about the relationship between consecration and forgiveness?
• How does Christ being 'made sin' (2 Corinthians 5:21) fulfill the sin offering's substitutionary principle?
• Why did God require a fresh sin offering for each tribal prince rather than one collective sacrifice?