Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering,(they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.

NUMBERS 28:31KJV
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Numbers 28:31 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:31 mean?

Numbers 28:31 commands the Israelites to present specific offerings—burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings—alongside the regular daily burnt offering, making sure each one is perfect and without defect. This verse emphasizes that these additional offerings must meet the same high standard as the daily sacrifices.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the people of Israel about their worship practices. The verse comes at the end of a section detailing the sacrifices required for special occasions, reminding the Israelites that these must be offered in addition to the continual (daily) burnt offering. The focus is on careful obedience and the quality of what is brought before God.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:31

  • continual (תָּמִיד, tamid): This word refers to something ongoing or regular, here describing the daily burnt offering that was never to be neglected, even when extra sacrifices were added.
  • offering (עֹלָה, olah): This is the standard word for a burnt offering, which was completely burned on the altar as a symbol of dedication.
  • blemish (תָּמִים, tamim): Meaning "without defect" or "perfect," this word stresses that only the best animals or offerings were acceptable, highlighting the seriousness of worship.
  • offeringthey (מִנְחָה, minchah): This term refers to the grain or meal offering, which accompanied the animal sacrifices and showed thankfulness and dependence on God.

Why Numbers 28:31 matters

  • Numbers 28:31 clarifies that special festival offerings do not replace the daily sacrifices but are added to them, showing the ongoing nature of Israel’s worship.
  • The insistence on offerings "without blemish" underlines the importance of bringing the best to God, not just fulfilling a ritual.
  • This verse ties together the instructions for regular and special offerings, helping the reader see the structure and seriousness of Israel’s sacrificial system.

Where else these words appear

“offerings” 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 28:24 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.
  • 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.

“blemish” Hebrew H8549 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
  • Numbers 28:9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
  • Psalms 18:23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

“continual” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • 2 Samuel 9:7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
  • Psalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.