And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish:

NUMBERS 29:2KJV
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Numbers 29:2 (KJV)

What does Numbers 29:2 mean?

Numbers 29:2 instructs the Israelites to present a specific burnt offering to the LORD: one young bull, one ram, and seven one-year-old lambs, all without blemish, as a pleasing aroma. This offering is part of a larger set of sacrifices commanded for a special occasion, meant to honor and worship God.

In this verse, Moses is relaying God’s instructions to the people of Israel about the sacrifices required during a festival. The focus is on offering animals that are young and without defect, showing care and reverence in worship. The phrase “a sweet savour unto the LORD” signals that these offerings are meant to be pleasing to God, emphasizing the importance of following God’s specific directions in worship.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 29:2

  • "Burnt offering" is עֹלָה (olah), meaning something that is completely burned up on the altar. This word highlights that the entire animal is given to God, not kept for human use.
  • "Sweet" is נִיחוֹחַ (nichoach), and "savour" is רֵיחַ (reyach). Together, they describe the offering as a "pleasing aroma," a phrase used often in the Torah to show that God accepts the sacrifice when it is done as He commands.
  • "Without blemish" is תָּמִים (tamim), meaning perfect or without defect. This stresses that only the best and healthiest animals were acceptable, underscoring respect and seriousness in approaching God.

Why Numbers 29:2 matters

  • Numbers 29:2 clarifies that worship in ancient Israel was not casual or random, but followed detailed instructions, showing the seriousness of approaching God.
  • The verse connects to a larger pattern in the Torah where specific offerings are tied to holy days, helping readers see the structure and rhythm of Israel’s worship life.
  • By specifying animals "without blemish," Numbers 29:2 highlights the value placed on giving God the best, not leftovers or second-rate offerings.

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.

“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.

“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: