After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

NUMBERS 28:24KJV
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Numbers 28:24 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:24 mean?

Numbers 28:24 instructs that for seven days, a specific offering—described as a food (or "meat") sacrifice made by fire with a pleasing smell to the LORD—should be given each day, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering and its drink offering. This verse sets out the daily sacrifices required during a special seven-day period.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses, who is to relay these instructions to the Israelites. The context is the description of offerings for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a major festival following Passover. The verse emphasizes that these special offerings are not replacements but additions to the continual daily sacrifices, highlighting the importance of both regular worship and special observances.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:24

  • "Meat" (לֶחֶם, lechem) here refers to food in general, not just animal flesh. In the sacrificial context, it often means the grain or meal offering, showing that the offering includes more than just burnt animals.
  • "Fire" (אֵשׁ, esh) points to the method of offering—burning on the altar—which was central to the sacrificial system and signified dedication to God.
  • "Sweet" (נִיחוֹחַ, nichoach) and "savour" (רֵיחַ, reyach) together mean a "pleasing aroma." This phrase is used repeatedly in Leviticus and Numbers to show that the offering is acceptable and pleasing to the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH).
  • "Continual" (תָּמִיד, tamid) describes the regular, ongoing burnt offering that happened every day, morning and evening. The verse stresses that the festival offerings are in addition to this daily routine, not a substitute.

Why Numbers 28:24 matters

  • Numbers 28:24 clarifies that the special festival offerings do not replace the regular daily sacrifices but are added to them, showing the layered nature of Israel's worship.
  • The verse highlights the careful attention to detail and order in the Israelite sacrificial system, reflecting the seriousness with which worship was to be approached.
  • By connecting this verse to the wider passage, readers see how the Feast of Unleavened Bread required daily devotion and extra offerings, underlining the festival's significance in Israel's calendar.

Where else these words appear

“sweet” Hebrew H5207 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Leviticus 6:21 In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Numbers 28:2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.

“savour” Hebrew H7381 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Leviticus 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • Numbers 29:6 Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

“offering” Hebrew H5262 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • Numbers 28:31 Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering,(they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.
  • 2 Kings 16:15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

“fire” Hebrew H801 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 6:17 It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.
  • Leviticus 23:37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day: