Numbers 29:26 - “‘On the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect;

Generated Verse: Numbers 29:26

What does "Numbers 29:26" mean?


This verse is part of a larger set of instructions for sacrifices to be offered to God during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in the Hebrew Bible (specifically, the book of Numbers). Let's break it down:

"On the fifth day": This refers to the fifth day of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. Each day of the festival had its own prescribed set of sacrifices.

"nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect": This is the exact number and type of animals to be offered as sacrifices on that particular day.

Bulls, rams, lambs: These were specific types of animals that were considered acceptable for sacrifice according to Jewish law.
"A year old": This specified the age requirement for the lambs.
"Without defect": This was a crucial requirement for all sacrificial animals. They had to be physically perfect, without any blemishes or deformities. This symbolized offering the best to God.

Meaning and Significance:

Atonement and Thanksgiving: Sacrifices in the Old Testament served multiple purposes, including atonement for sins, expressions of thanksgiving, and declarations of loyalty to God.

Symbolism: The specific number of animals and the fact that they decreased each day is symbolic. Some interpretations suggest it represents a dwindling of national sins, or a gradual drawing closer to God. However, the exact symbolism is open to interpretation and rabbinical debate.

Strict Adherence: The detailed instructions (number, type, age, and condition of the animals) highlight the importance of strict adherence to God's commands in the Old Testament sacrificial system.

In modern times:

Animal sacrifices are no longer practiced in modern Judaism. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the sacrificial system was replaced by prayer, study of the Torah, and acts of loving-kindness.

The verses describing the sacrifices, like this one, are still studied and remembered, as they provide insight into the history of Jewish worship and the relationship between God and the Israelites.

In summary: This verse is a precise instruction about the specific animals to be sacrificed on the fifth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing the importance of quality and obedience in the ancient Israelite sacrificial system.

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