Numbers 28:15 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:15 mean?

Numbers 28:15 commands that, along with the regular daily burnt offering, the Israelites must also offer one young male goat as a sin offering to the LORD, including its drink offering. This instruction sets an additional sacrifice that is to be made every month, not replacing but adding to the continual offerings.

Moses is relaying God’s instructions to the Israelites about their worship practices while they are in the wilderness. This verse comes in a section where God details the regular sacrifices required at different times—daily, weekly, monthly, and during special festivals. The focus here is on the monthly offering, emphasizing that the sin offering (a young goat) is always to be included alongside the ongoing daily burnt offerings.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:15

• "Kid" — שָׂעִיר (saʿir): This word refers specifically to a young male goat, which was commonly used for sin offerings. Its use here highlights the particular animal required for this type of sacrifice.
• "Offering" — חַטָּאת (chatta't): This word means "sin offering," a sacrifice made to atone for unintentional sins. Its presence clarifies that this goat is not just any offering, but one meant to address sin and restore relationship with God.
• "Continual" — תָּמִיד (tamid): This term means "continual" or "regular," referring to the daily burnt offerings that were always to be kept going. The verse stresses that the sin offering is in addition to, not instead of, these regular sacrifices.

Why Numbers 28:15 matters

• Numbers 28:15 clarifies that the monthly sin offering is not a replacement for the daily sacrifices but an extra requirement, underlining the importance of both regular and special acts of worship.
• The verse shows that atonement for sin was a continual need, not just an occasional concern, which helps explain the structure of Israel’s sacrificial system.
• This instruction connects the monthly ritual to the broader pattern of offerings in Numbers 28, showing how Israel’s worship life was carefully ordered and layered with meaning.