But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;

NUMBERS 28:27KJV
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Numbers 28:27 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:27 mean?

Numbers 28:27 instructs the Israelites to present a specific burnt offering to the LORD: two young bulls, one ram, and seven year-old lambs, as a pleasing aroma. This command is part of the directions for offerings during the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost.

In this verse, Moses is relaying God’s instructions to the people of Israel about what sacrifices to bring during a special festival. The focus is on the exact animals and numbers required, showing the importance of following God’s directions closely in worship. The phrase "a sweet savour unto the LORD" highlights that these offerings are meant to be pleasing to God.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:27

  • "Burnt offering" (עֹלָה, ʿolah): This word refers to an offering that is completely burned on the altar, symbolizing total dedication to God.
  • "Sweet" (נִיחוֹחַ, nîḥōaḥ) and "savour" (רֵיחַ, rēaḥ): Together, these words describe the offering as a "pleasing aroma," a phrase often used in the Old Testament to show that the sacrifice is accepted by God.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing that the offering is directed specifically to Him.
  • "Two" (שְׁנַיִם, shenayim), "young" (בָּקָר, baqar), "bullocks" (פַּר, par), "one" (אֶחָד, eḥad), "ram" (אַיִל, ayil), "seven" (שִׁבְעָה, shivʿah), "lambs" (כֶּבֶשׂ, keves), "first" (בֵּן, ben), "year" (שָׁנָה, shanah): These words specify the exact animals and their ages, underlining the precision expected in worship.

Why Numbers 28:27 matters

  • Numbers 28:27 clarifies that the offerings for the Feast of Weeks are not random but carefully prescribed, showing the seriousness with which God’s instructions were to be followed.
  • The verse connects the act of sacrifice to the idea of pleasing God, not just through the act itself, but through obedience to His specific commands.
  • This verse is part of a larger section detailing Israel’s worship calendar, helping the reader see how structured and communal Israel’s relationship with God was meant to be.

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.

“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 7:53 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.
  • 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:

“bullocks” Hebrew H6499 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Numbers 7:57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:33 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: