Numbers 7:40 (KJV)

What does Numbers 7:40 mean?

Numbers 7:40 states that one young goat was offered as a sin offering. This verse records a specific part of the offerings brought by a leader of one of the tribes of Israel during the dedication of the altar in the wilderness.

This verse is part of a detailed list describing what each tribal leader brought as an offering to God. The “sin offering” was a sacrifice meant to deal with sin and restore the relationship between the people and God. The mention of a “kid of the goats” highlights the specific animal required for this type of offering according to the instructions given to Moses.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:40

• "One" (אֶחָד, 'echad') means a single or unique item, emphasizing that exactly one goat was required for this offering, not more or less.
• "Kid" (שָׂעִיר, sa‘ir) refers to a young male goat, which was a common animal used in sin offerings, symbolizing innocence and substitution.
• "Goats" (עֵז, ‘ez) is the general word for goat, clarifying the species of animal to be used.
• "Offering" (חַטָּאָה, chatta’ah) means a sin offering, a specific type of sacrifice in the Hebrew system meant to atone for unintentional sins.

Why Numbers 7:40 matters

• Numbers 7:40 shows the careful attention to detail in Israel’s worship practices, emphasizing that each tribe followed the same instructions exactly.
• The verse highlights the importance of the sin offering in maintaining the community’s relationship with God, even during times of celebration and dedication.
• By repeating the same offering for each tribe, the passage underlines the equal standing of all tribes before God, with no one tribe bringing more or less than another.