Numbers 29:32 (KJV)

What does Numbers 29:32 mean?

Numbers 29:32 gives instructions for the offerings to be made on the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, specifying that seven young bulls, two rams, and fourteen year-old lambs without blemish are to be sacrificed. This verse is part of a detailed list of sacrifices required for each day of this festival.

In context, God is speaking to Moses, who is to relay these commands to the Israelites as part of their worship practices. The verse highlights the specific number and type of animals, as well as the requirement that the lambs be without blemish, showing the care and precision expected in Israel’s offerings during this important annual celebration.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 29:32

• "Seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheva): The use of the number seven here, both for the day and the number of bulls, often symbolizes completeness or wholeness in Hebrew thought, emphasizing the fullness of the festival week.
• "Bullocks" (פַּר, par): This word refers to young bulls, which were considered valuable offerings, signifying the importance of the occasion.
• "Without blemish" (תָּמִים, tamim): This term means the animals had to be physically perfect, reflecting the idea that offerings to God should be the best and without defect.

Why Numbers 29:32 matters

• Numbers 29:32 clarifies that the sacrifices for each day of the Feast of Tabernacles were not identical; the number of bulls decreases each day, showing a deliberate pattern in the ritual.
• The verse emphasizes the importance of offering animals "without blemish," underlining the standard of purity and dedication expected in worship.
• This instruction connects to the broader passage by showing the structured, communal nature of Israel’s worship and the careful attention to detail in their relationship with God.