And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish;

NUMBERS 29:20KJV
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Numbers 29:20 (KJV)

What does Numbers 29:20 mean?

Numbers 29:20 lists the specific animals that were to be offered on the third day of the Feast of Tabernacles: eleven young bulls, two rams, and fourteen year-old male lambs, all without blemish. This verse is part of a detailed set of instructions for daily sacrifices during this festival.

Moses is relaying God’s commands to the Israelites about how to worship during the Feast of Tabernacles, a major annual festival. The number and type of animals change each day, showing a careful structure to Israel’s worship. The requirement that the animals be "without blemish" highlights the importance of offering only the best to God.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 29:20

  • "third" (שְׁלִישִׁי, shelishi): This word marks the specific day in the sequence of the festival, emphasizing the ordered progression of sacrifices.
  • "eleven" (אַחַד עָשָׂר, 'echad asar): The number of bullocks is reduced by one each day, showing a deliberate pattern in the offerings.
  • "without blemish" (תָּמִים, tamim): This word means "complete" or "perfect," stressing that only flawless animals were acceptable for these offerings.

Why Numbers 29:20 matters

  • Numbers 29:20 helps clarify that the sacrifices during the Feast of Tabernacles were not random but carefully structured, with the number of bulls decreasing each day.
  • The verse underscores the seriousness and reverence of Israel’s worship, as only unblemished animals were allowed.
  • Understanding the pattern in these offerings helps readers see the broader picture of Israel’s relationship with God and the importance of obedience in their worship practices.

Where else these words appear

“eleven” Hebrew H6249 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 26:7 And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.
  • Deuteronomy 1:3 And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;
  • Jeremiah 1:3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

“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.

“third” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • 1 Samuel 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

“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 29:17 And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot: