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.