And when thou preparest a bullock for a burnt offering, or for a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings unto the LORD:

NUMBERS 15:8KJV
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Numbers 15:8 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:8 mean?

Numbers 15:8 introduces a rule for an Israelite who brings a young bull as an offering to the LORD. The animal might be brought for a burnt offering, to fulfill a vow, or as a peace offering. The sentence begins a set of instructions that continues in the following verses.

After the instructions for a ram, the focus turns to the larger animal. The KJV’s “bullock” means a young bull. A vow was a promise made to God; a peace offering was an offering associated with fellowship and often included a shared meal.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:8

  • “bullock” — בֶּן בָּקָר (ben baqar): This phrase means a young animal from the herd. The Hebrew points to its age as well as the kind of animal.
  • “performing” — פָּלָא (palaʾ): Here the word carries the sense of making or fulfilling a special commitment. With “vow,” the KJV describes bringing an offering connected with carrying out that promise.
  • “offerings” — שְׁלָמִים (shelamim): The word refers to peace offerings. The Hebrew name is related to a word for wholeness or well-being, helping explain why English calls them “peace offerings.”

Why Numbers 15:8 matters

  • The same animal could be brought for different purposes. Numbers 15:8 lists a burnt offering, an offering connected with a vow, and peace offerings.
  • The animal was accompanied by other gifts. Numbers 15:9–10 continues the sentence with measures of flour, oil, and wine to be brought with the bull.

Where else these words appear

“vow” Hebrew H5088 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
  • Numbers 30:6 And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;
  • 2 Samuel 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

“performing” Hebrew H6381 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
  • Job 9:10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
  • Psalms 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

“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.