And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:

NUMBERS 29:17KJV
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Numbers 29:17 (KJV)

What does Numbers 29:17 mean?

Numbers 29:17 gives instructions for a specific sacrifice to be made on the second day of a festival, requiring twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen year-old lambs, all without blemish. This verse is part of a detailed list of offerings that the Israelites were commanded to bring during the Feast of Tabernacles.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses, who is then to relay these instructions to the Israelites. The setting is the wilderness, as the people are preparing to enter the Promised Land. The verse emphasizes the exact number and quality of animals to be offered, showing the importance of order, obedience, and the idea that offerings to God should be without defect.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 29:17

  • The word for "without spot" is תָּמִים (tamim), meaning "blameless" or "without blemish." This highlights that only perfect animals were acceptable for these offerings, stressing the idea of giving the best to God.
  • The Hebrew for "young bullocks" is בֶּן־בָּקָר (ben-bakar), literally "son of a bull," which refers to a young male cow, usually in its prime. This detail underlines the value of the sacrifice being offered.
  • The numbers "twelve" (שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר, shenayim asar) and "fourteen" (אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר, arba'ah asar) are specific and intentional, showing a pattern and structure to the festival sacrifices.

Why Numbers 29:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the offerings during the Feast of Tabernacles were not random but carefully prescribed, with each day having its own set of sacrifices.
  • The emphasis on animals "without spot" shows the seriousness with which worship and sacrifice were to be approached, teaching about the holiness expected in approaching God.
  • By specifying the numbers and types of animals, Numbers 29:17 connects to the broader theme of order and obedience in Israel's worship, which is a recurring focus throughout the book of Numbers.

Where else these words appear

“spot” 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.

“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: