Question 1

What does Numbers 7:40 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Numbers 7:40

Accepted Answer

"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.

Question 3

Why Numbers 7:40 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

Numbers 7:40 (KJV)