Numbers 7:69
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
The burnt offering was the most ancient sacrifice, predating Mosaic law (Genesis 8:20, 22:2, Job 1:5). After Sinai, it became the twice-daily continual offering (Exodus 29:38-42), the foundation of Israel's sacrificial system. The morning and evening burnt offerings framed each day in consecration to God, teaching Israel that all of life—from waking to sleeping—belonged to Him.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's careful recording of each tribe's identical offering teach about His attentiveness to individual worship even when corporate patterns remain constant?
- How does the burnt offering's total consumption challenge partial obedience or 'percentage Christianity' that retains parts of life from God's lordship?
- Why does Scripture devote 89 verses to these repetitive offerings rather than summarizing them in one verse?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering—Dan's burnt offering ('olah, עֹלָה) maintained the pattern established by all previous tribes. The threefold sacrifice—bullock, ram, lamb—comprehensively covers the spectrum of acceptable burnt offerings listed in Leviticus 1:3-10. The 'olah expressed total devotion: the entire animal consumed by fire, ascending as 'a sweet savour unto the LORD' (Leviticus 1:9).
Remarkably, this is verse 69 of a chapter listing twelve identical tribal offering sequences. The very repetition that might seem tedious to readers demonstrates a profound theological truth: God never tires of receiving worship, never dismisses any tribe's offering as redundant, never says 'I've already received this from Judah, so Dan's offering adds nothing new.' Each tribe's worship was individually received, valued, and recorded for eternity. Psalm 50:9-13 clarifies that God doesn't need our sacrifices materially, yet delights in them relationally.