Numbers 7:34 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:34 mean?

Numbers 7:34 identifies one animal in a leader’s gift as a sin offering. In Israel’s worship, a sin offering was a gift presented to God in connection with sin. Here, the animal set apart for that purpose is a young male goat.

The verse is part of the account of Eliab’s gift on the third day of the altar’s dedication. It follows the animals listed for a different offering in verse 33. The distinct label “sin offering” tells the reader the purpose assigned to this particular goat.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:34

• “kid” — שָׂעִיר (saʿir): This word can refer to a young male goat. The KJV’s “kid” gives the sense of a young goat, while the Hebrew also identifies the animal as male.
• “sin offering” — חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt): This word can mean either “sin” or a “sin offering.” Here it names the kind of offering for which the goat was given.

Why Numbers 7:34 matters

• The goat had a distinct place within Eliab’s gift. Verse 33 lists animals for a burnt offering, while verse 34 gives this goat a different purpose.
• The gift was presented on behalf of a tribe. Numbers 7:24 identifies Eliab as the leader of the people of Zebulun, so the gift is connected with the group he represented.