Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.

LEVITICUS 23:19KJV
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Leviticus 23:19 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 23:19 mean?

Leviticus 23:19 describes how, during a special festival, the Israelites were to offer specific animals: one young goat as a sin offering and two year-old lambs as a peace offering. These sacrifices were part of the instructions God gave to Moses for the people’s worship.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is then to instruct the Israelites about the rituals for the Feast of Weeks (also called Pentecost). The verse highlights the need for both a sin offering and peace offerings, showing that the festival involved both atonement and celebration of fellowship with God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 23:19

  • חַטָּאָה (chatta'ah, H2403): This word means "sin offering." It emphasizes that part of the ritual was about seeking forgiveness and cleansing from sin, not just celebration.
  • שְׁנַיִם (shenayim, H8147): This is the word for "two," making clear that exactly two lambs were required, showing the care for specific instructions in worship.
  • שְׁלָמִים (shelamim, H8002): This word means "peace offerings." It refers to offerings meant to express thanks, fellowship, and wholeness, not just dealing with sin.

Why Leviticus 23:19 matters

  • Leviticus 23:19 clarifies that the Feast of Weeks was not only a time of thanksgiving but also involved seeking forgiveness, combining joy and humility in worship.
  • The verse shows the careful structure of Israel’s worship, where different offerings had different meanings and purposes, each with its own role in the community’s relationship with God.
  • Understanding these details helps readers see how the Old Testament festivals were both spiritual and practical, shaping the rhythm of Israel’s communal and religious life.

Where else these words appear

“kid” Hebrew H8163 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 27:11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
  • Leviticus 16:26 And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.
  • Numbers 28:30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.

“goats” Hebrew H5795 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 9:3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
  • Numbers 29:5 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you:

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

“lambs” Hebrew H3532 · used in 100 verses

  • Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
  • Numbers 7:57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:18 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: