And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.

NUMBERS 29:38KJV
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Numbers 29:38 (KJV)

What does Numbers 29:38 mean?

Numbers 29:38 gives instructions for offering one goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular daily burnt offering, grain offering, and drink offering. This verse is part of a list of sacrifices that were to be made during a festival, showing the specific requirements for that day.

In Numbers 29:38, God is speaking to Moses, giving him detailed commands for the Israelites about their worship practices. The focus here is on the sacrifices to be made on the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a major festival. The verse highlights that the special sin offering (a goat) was not to replace the regular daily offerings, but was to be given alongside them.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 29:38

  • שָׂעִיר (saʿir, "goat"): This word refers specifically to a male goat, which was commonly used in sin offerings. Its use here underlines the seriousness of the sin offering, as goats were seen as suitable for atonement.
  • חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt, "sin offering"): This term means an offering made to deal with sin or impurity. Its presence in the verse shows that even during joyful festivals, the need for atonement and cleansing was remembered.
  • תָּמִיד (tamid, "continual"): This word describes the regular, ongoing burnt offering that was made every day. The instruction to offer the festival sacrifices "beside" this continual offering stresses that special occasions did not replace daily worship but added to it.

Why Numbers 29:38 matters

  • Numbers 29:38 clarifies that special festival sacrifices did not take the place of the daily offerings; both were required, showing the ongoing need for regular worship alongside special observances.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of atonement (through the sin offering) even during times of celebration, reminding the people of their constant need for forgiveness.
  • This instruction ties the festival back to the daily rhythm of Israel’s relationship with God, connecting special events to the regular practices that shaped their faith and community life.

Where else these words appear

“goat” Hebrew H8163 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 27:11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
  • Leviticus 16:26 And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.
  • Numbers 28:22 And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.

“offering” 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.

“continual” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • 2 Samuel 9:7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
  • Psalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.