And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

NUMBERS 28:8KJV
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Numbers 28:8 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:8 mean?

Numbers 28:8 instructs that a second lamb should be offered in the evening, prepared in the same way as the morning sacrifice, with the same grain and drink offerings, as a burnt offering that is pleasing to the LORD. This verse emphasizes the regular, daily pattern of worship through sacrifices in ancient Israel.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses, giving him detailed instructions for the Israelites about their daily offerings. The verse is part of a larger section where God outlines the daily, weekly, and special festival sacrifices. The focus here is on the evening sacrifice, showing that worship and dedication to God were to be a continual, daily practice, not just a one-time event.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:8

  • "Even" (עֶרֶב, ʿerev): This word means "evening," marking the time of day for the second lamb offering. It highlights that sacrifices were to bookend the day, morning and evening.
  • "Sweet" (נִיחוֹחַ, nîḥōaḥ) and "savour" (רֵיחַ, rēaḥ): Together, these words describe the offering as a "pleasing aroma" to the LORD, a phrase often used to show that the sacrifice was accepted and welcomed by God.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, underlining that these offerings were directed specifically to Israel’s covenant God, not just any deity.

Why Numbers 28:8 matters

  • Numbers 28:8 clarifies that the daily sacrifices were not just a morning ritual but required faithful repetition in the evening, reinforcing the idea of continual devotion.
  • The verse connects to the broader context of Numbers 28, which outlines a structured, ongoing relationship between God and His people through regular worship.
  • Understanding the details of these offerings helps explain later biblical references to daily sacrifices and why their interruption was seen as a significant loss in Israel’s history.

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: