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.