And one goat for a sinne offering, beside the continuall burnt offering, his meate offering and his drinke offering. Numbers 29:31 (KJV)
And one goat
for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. Numbers 29:31 (KJV)
“And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and their drink offerings.” In this verse, God is giving instructions to the Israelites regarding the offerings they were to present during the Feast of Tabernacles. This verse, taken from Numbers 29:31 (KJV), is part of the larger set of instructions concerning the offerings to be presented during the Feast of Tabernacles and falls within the broader framework of the Mosaic law that governed Israel’s worship and observances.
The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot, was one of the major festivals in ancient Israel. It was a seven‑day harvest celebration that took place in the seventh month of the Jewish calendar (Leviticus 23:34‑36). During this festival, the Israelites were instructed to live in temporary shelters or booths made from branches and foliage as a reminder of their journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt (Leviticus 23:42‑43).
Numbers 29 provides a detailed account of the offerings to be presented each day during the Feast of Tabernacles. Verse 31 specifically mentions that these offerings were to be offered besides the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and their drink offerings, indicating that the additional offerings described in this passage were in addition to the regular daily offerings already prescribed by God. While verse 31 specifies the types of animal sacrifices—a bullock for a burnt offering, a ram for an offering, and a he‑goat for a sin offering—according to the number of the days, it does not mention “the continual burnt offering” or “drink offerings.” Those elements are addressed elsewhere in the chapter.
The continual burnt offering mentioned in this verse refers to the daily sacrifices that were offered in the Tabernacle or later in the Temple. It was a lamb offered as a burnt offering each morning and evening throughout the year (Exodus 29:38‑42).
Without blemish: The offerings presented during the Feast of Tabernacles were required to be without blemish, a standard applied to most sacrificial animals (see Numbers 29:12‑13). This requirement emphasizes the Israelites’ desire to offer their best to God and also prefigured the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, described as the unblemished Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:19).
Drink offerings: In addition to the animal sacrifices, the Israelites were instructed to present drink offerings—typically wine poured out as an act of dedication—to God during the feast. These drink offerings are recorded in the earlier portions of Numbers 29, though they are not mentioned in verse 31.
In summary, Numbers 29:31 (KJV) outlines the specific animal sacrifices for the Feast of Tabernacles and emphasizes the importance of presenting offerings without blemish. Together, these instructions formed an integral part of the Israelites’ worship under the Mosaic law, expressing devotion, gratitude, and a pursuit of reconciliation with God.
