Numbers 7:87
All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַבָּקָ֨ר
All the oxen
H1241
הַבָּקָ֨ר
All the oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
2 of 20
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
לָֽעֹלָ֜ה
for the burnt offering
H5930
לָֽעֹלָ֜ה
for the burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
3 of 20
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
עָשָׂ֣ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֣ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
5 of 20
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
פָּרִ֗ים
bullocks
H6499
פָּרִ֗ים
bullocks
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
6 of 20
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
אֵילִ֤ם
the rams
H352
אֵילִ֤ם
the rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
עָשָׂר֙
H6240
עָשָׂר֙
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
9 of 20
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עָשָׂ֖ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֖ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
14 of 20
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
וּמִנְחָתָ֑ם
with their meat offering
H4503
וּמִנְחָתָ֑ם
with their meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
15 of 20
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וּשְׂעִירֵ֥י
and the kids
H8163
וּשְׂעִירֵ֥י
and the kids
Strong's:
H8163
Word #:
16 of 20
shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun
עִזִּ֛ים
of the goats
H5795
עִזִּ֛ים
of the goats
Strong's:
H5795
Word #:
17 of 20
a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)
Historical Context
The burnt offering was the most frequent sacrifice in Israel's worship (Leviticus 1), offered twice daily (Exodus 29:38-42) plus on special occasions. The complete consumption by fire distinguished it from peace offerings. The grain offering always accompanied burnt offerings, symbolizing the inseparability of consecration and service.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the combination of burnt offerings (consecration) and sin offerings (atonement) teach about the dual nature of Christ's work?
- How does the twelve-fold repetition across all categories demonstrate the unity of Israel's worship despite tribal diversity?
- Why might the summary separate burnt offerings from peace offerings, and what theological distinction does this preserve?
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Analysis & Commentary
All the oxen for the burnt offering were twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve (כָּל־הַבָּקָר לָעֹלָה שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר פָּרִים, kol-habaqar la'olah sheneim asar parim)—The twelve-fold repetition emphasizes completeness: twelve bullocks (strength), twelve rams (substitution), twelve lambs (innocence), twelve goats (sin-bearing). Each category totals twelve, representing all Israel united in consecrated worship.
The burnt offerings (olah) ascend wholly to God, symbolizing total surrender. Accompanying meat offerings (מִנְחָה, minchah)—fine flour mixed with oil—represent the fruit of human labor consecrated through divine enablement (the oil of the Spirit). The sin offerings acknowledge that even in joyful dedication, atonement is necessary. This dual emphasis—consecration and atonement—prefigures Christ's work: both our substitute (sin offering) and our sanctification (burnt offering, 1 Corinthians 1:30).