And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings,

NUMBERS 6:14KJV
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Numbers 6:14 (KJV)

What does Numbers 6:14 mean?

Numbers 6:14 describes the specific animal sacrifices a person must bring to the LORD when completing a Nazirite vow: a year-old male lamb without blemish for a burnt offering, a year-old female lamb without blemish for a sin offering, and a ram without blemish for a peace offering. Each animal and offering has a distinct purpose in this ritual.

In this passage, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about the Nazirite vow—a special period of dedication to God. The person ending this vow must bring these offerings to the tabernacle as part of a closing ceremony. The details show how seriously the Israelites were to take this act of consecration, with each animal representing a different aspect of worship and relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 6:14

  • The word for "offer" is קָרַב (qarav), which means to bring near or present. This emphasizes that the person is actively bringing these gifts close to God, not just passively providing them.
  • "Offering" appears as קָרְבָּן (qorban), meaning a gift or something brought near, highlighting the personal nature of these sacrifices as acts of devotion.
  • "Without blemish" is תָּמִים (tamim), meaning whole or perfect. This requirement stresses that only the best and most unblemished animals were acceptable, reflecting respect and honor toward God.
  • The word for "peace offerings" is שֶׁלֶם (shelem), which often carries the sense of wholeness or completeness, suggesting that this offering was about restored relationship and fellowship.

Why Numbers 6:14 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Nazirite vow was not just about abstaining from certain things but also about a formal, public act of dedication and completion involving specific sacrifices.
  • The careful listing of each animal and offering type shows the structured and intentional nature of Israelite worship, with each part of the ritual having a clear meaning.
  • Understanding these offerings helps make sense of the broader passage, where the Nazirite's unique relationship with God is marked by both personal commitment and communal worship practices.

Where else these words appear

“lamb” Hebrew H3535 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 21:28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
  • Genesis 21:30 And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
  • 2 Samuel 12:3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

“offering” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
  • Numbers 7:41 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 Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

“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 28:11 And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
  • Psalms 18:23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.