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:

NUMBERS 29:27KJV
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Numbers 29:27 (KJV)

What does Numbers 29:27 mean?

Numbers 29:27 explains that the grain (meat) and drink offerings to be given alongside the animal sacrifices—the bullocks, rams, and lambs—should be provided in amounts that match the number of each animal, following the established rules for these offerings. This verse emphasizes that each type of animal sacrifice had a set pattern for its accompanying offerings.

In this part of the book, Moses is relaying God’s instructions to the Israelites about the sacrifices required during the Feast of Tabernacles. The verse highlights the careful organization and consistency expected in Israel’s worship, with each animal sacrifice having a corresponding grain and drink offering, all done “after the manner,” meaning according to the prescribed law.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 29:27

  • offering (מִנְחָה, minchah): This word refers to a grain offering, often made of flour, oil, and sometimes frankincense. In this context, it shows that worship involved more than just animal sacrifices—there was also a gift from the harvest.
  • offerings (נֶסֶךְ, nesech): This word means a drink offering, usually wine poured out as part of the ritual. Its mention here shows that the act of worship was multi-layered, involving both food and drink.
  • bullocks (פַּר, par), rams (אַיִל, ayil), lambs (כֶּבֶשׂ, keves): These words specify the animals to be sacrificed. Each type had its own required number and associated offerings, underlining the detailed nature of the ritual.
  • number (מִסְפָּר, mispar): This word means “count” or “number,” making it clear that the offerings were to be matched exactly to the number of animals sacrificed.
  • manner (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word means “custom” or “ordinance.” It stresses that these offerings were not random but followed a set legal pattern.

Why Numbers 29:27 matters

  • Numbers 29:27 clarifies that the grain and drink offerings were not optional or arbitrary, but had to be given in a specific way for each animal, showing the seriousness and orderliness of Israel’s worship.
  • The verse connects to the larger passage by showing that every day of the festival had its own set of sacrifices and offerings, each carefully counted and regulated.
  • By repeating the phrase “after the manner,” the verse reminds readers that worship in ancient Israel followed detailed instructions, reflecting a relationship with God that valued obedience and structure.

Where else these words appear

“offerings” 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 28:24 After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
  • 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.

“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:

“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:

“number” Hebrew H4557 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 33:6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.
  • Ezra 3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;