And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.

NUMBERS 28:30KJV
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Numbers 28:30 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:30 mean?

Numbers 28:30 commands that one young goat should be offered as a sacrifice to make atonement for the people. This instruction is part of a larger set of guidelines given to the Israelites about the specific offerings required for certain holy days.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is then to instruct the Israelites. The context is a detailed list of daily, weekly, and special festival offerings. The "kid of the goats" is singled out as an offering to cover or remove sin, emphasizing the need for atonement even during times of celebration.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:30

  • "one" (אֶחָד, 'echad'): This word stresses that only a single goat is needed for this particular offering, highlighting its specific role among multiple sacrifices.
  • "kid" (שָׂעִיר, sa‘ir): This term refers to a young male goat, which was commonly used in sin offerings, underlining the seriousness of the atonement being made.
  • "goats" (עֵז, ‘ez): This is the general word for goat, making it clear the animal required is from this species, not a sheep or another animal.
  • "atonement" (כָּפַר, kaphar): This word means to cover or make reconciliation, pointing to the purpose of the sacrifice—to restore the relationship between the people and God.

Why Numbers 28:30 matters

  • Numbers 28:30 clarifies that even during joyful festivals, the need for atonement remains, showing that sin and the need for reconciliation with God are ongoing concerns.
  • This verse highlights the careful instructions God gave for worship, emphasizing that every detail—including the type and number of animals—was important.
  • The placement of this verse within a long list of offerings connects it to the broader theme of holiness and continual dependence on God’s mercy throughout Israel’s worship practices.

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 28:22 And one goat for a sin offering, 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:

“atonement” Hebrew H3722 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Leviticus 14:21 And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;
  • Numbers 25:13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.