Numbers 7:88
And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֹ֞ל
H3605
וְכֹ֞ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּקַ֣ר׀
And all the oxen
H1241
בְּקַ֣ר׀
And all the oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
2 of 21
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
זֶ֣בַח
for the sacrifice
H2077
זֶ֣בַח
for the sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
הַשְּׁלָמִ֗ים
of the peace offerings
H8002
הַשְּׁלָמִ֗ים
of the peace offerings
Strong's:
H8002
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
פָּרִים֒
bullocks
H6499
פָּרִים֒
bullocks
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
7 of 21
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 #:
8 of 21
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
עַתֻּדִ֣ים
the he goats
H6260
עַתֻּדִ֣ים
the he goats
Strong's:
H6260
Word #:
10 of 21
prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Numbers 7:1And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;Numbers 7:10And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.
Historical Context
Peace offerings were unique in that portions were eaten by the worshiper and family (Leviticus 7:11-21), symbolizing covenant fellowship. The abundance of peace offerings compared to burnt/sin offerings reflects God's desire for relationship over transaction. The dedication concluded the tabernacle's consecration (Exodus 40, Leviticus 8-9).
Questions for Reflection
- Why are peace offerings so much more abundant than burnt or sin offerings, and what does this reveal about God's priorities?
- How does the declaration that the dedication occurred 'after it was anointed' emphasize that the altar's sanctity comes from God, not human offering?
- What might the numbers 24 (oxen) and 60 (rams, goats, lambs) symbolize, especially given their appearance elsewhere in Scripture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty (כָּל־הַבָּקָר זֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה פָרִים, kol-habaqar zevach hashelamim esrim ve'arba'ah parim)—The peace offering totals dwarf the burnt and sin offerings: 24 oxen, 60 rams, 60 goats, 60 lambs (204 total animals). This abundance demonstrates that fellowship with God is the goal and joy of worship, not mere duty.
This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed (זֹאת חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ אַחֲרֵי הִמָּשַׁח אֹתוֹ)—The dedication (chanukkah) celebrates the altar's sanctification. The sacrifices don't sanctify the altar; the anointing does. The offerings express gratitude for God's condescension to dwell among His people. The 24 oxen recall the 24 priestly courses and 24 elders before God's throne (Revelation 4:4), while the sixty of each category (60 + 60 + 60 = 180) symbolizes completeness multiplied.