New International Version“’On the fourth day offer ten bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.
New Living Translation“On the fourth day of the festival, sacrifice ten young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one-year-old male lambs, all with no defects.
English Standard Version“On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,
Berean Standard BibleOn the fourth day you are to present ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,
King James BibleAnd on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
New King James Version‘On the fourth day present ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs in their first year, without blemish,
New American Standard Bible‘Then on the fourth day: ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs one year old without defect;
NASB 1995‘Then on the fourth day: ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs one year old without defect;
NASB 1977‘Then on the fourth day: ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs one year old without defect;
Legacy Standard Bible‘Then on the fourth day: ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs one year old without blemish;
Amplified Bible‘Then on the fourth day [of the Feast of Booths]: ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs one year old without blemish;
Christian Standard Bible“On the fourth day present ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old—all unblemished—
Holman Christian Standard BibleOn the fourth day present 10 bulls, two rams, 14 male lambs a year old—all unblemished—
American Standard VersionAnd on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old without blemish;
English Revised VersionAnd on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs of the first year without blemish:
GOD'S WORD® Translation"On the fourth day bring 10 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 one-year-old lambs that have no defects.
Good News TranslationOn the fourth day offer ten young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one-year-old male lambs, all without any defects.
International Standard Version"On the fourth day, you are to present ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen one year old lambs, all without defects,
NET Bible"'On the fourth day you must offer ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs one year old, all without blemish,
New Heart English Bible"'On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish;
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOn the fourth day you are to present ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,
World English Bible“‘On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd on the fourth day: ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs, sons of a year, perfect ones;
Young's Literal Translation 'And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs, sons of a year, perfect ones;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd in the fourth day, ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen blameless lambs, sons of a year. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe fourth day you shall offer tell calves, two rams, and fourteen lambs of a year old, without blemish:
Catholic Public Domain VersionOn the fourth day, you shall offer ten calves, two rams, and fourteen immaculate one-year-old lambs.
New American BibleOn the fourth day: ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen unblemished yearling lambs,
New Revised Standard VersionOn the fourth day: ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd in the fourth day, ten bulls and two rams and fourteen lambs, sons of a year, that have no flaw in them: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs of the first year without blemish;
Brenton Septuagint TranslationOn the fourth day ten calves, two rams, fourteen lambs of a year old without spot.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Feast of Tabernacles… 22Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering. 23On the fourthdayyou are to present tenbulls,tworams,and fourteenmale lambsa year old,all unblemished,24along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed.…
Cross References Leviticus 23:33-36And the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Feast of Tabernacles to the LORD begins, and it continues for seven days. / On the first day there shall be a sacred assembly. You must not do any regular work. ...
Exodus 23:16You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field. And keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field.
Deuteronomy 16:13-15You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. / And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. / For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.
2 Chronicles 8:13He observed the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Nehemiah 8:14-18And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, / and that they should proclaim this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” / And the people went out, brought back branches, and made booths on their own rooftops, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim. ...
Zechariah 14:16-19Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. / And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them. / And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter in, then the rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. ...
John 7:2However, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near.
John 7:37-39On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Leviticus 23:39-43On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to celebrate a feast to the LORD for seven days. There shall be complete rest on the first day and also on the eighth day. / On the first day you are to gather the fruit of majestic trees, the branches of palm trees, and the boughs of leafy trees and of willows of the brook. And you are to rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. / You are to celebrate this as a feast to the LORD for seven days each year. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come; you are to celebrate it in the seventh month. ...
1 Kings 8:2And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim.
1 Kings 8:65So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all.
2 Chronicles 7:8-10So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a very great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast for seven days. / On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar had lasted seven days, and the feast seven days more. / On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent the people away to their homes, joyful and glad of heart for the good things that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel.
Ezra 3:4They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day.
Psalm 81:3Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and at the full moon on the day of our Feast.
Matthew 17:4Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Treasury of Scripture And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: Jump to Previous BlemishBullocksBullsDefectHe-LambsLambsMaleMarkOnesOxenPerfectPrepareRamsSheepTenJump to Next BlemishBullocksBullsDefectHe-LambsLambsMaleMarkOnesOxenPerfectPrepareRamsSheepTenNumbers 29 1.The offering at the feast of trumpets7.At the day of afflicting their souls12.And on the eight days of the feast of tabernaclesOn the fourth dayThe fourth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot, is part of a week-long festival that begins on the 15th day of the seventh month (Tishrei) in the Hebrew calendar. This feast is a time of rejoicing and remembrance of God's provision during the Israelites' 40 years in the wilderness. The number four often symbolizes completeness in the Bible, suggesting the fullness of God's provision and the completeness of His plan for Israel. you are to present ten bulls
The offering of ten bulls is significant as bulls were considered valuable and symbolized strength and leadership. The number ten often represents completeness or divine order in biblical numerology. This offering reflects the community's dedication and the importance of the feast, as bulls were among the most costly sacrifices. two rams
Rams were used in various offerings and symbolized consecration and atonement. The number two can signify witness or testimony, possibly pointing to the dual nature of Christ as both God and man, or the Old and New Covenants. Rams were also used in the consecration of priests, linking this offering to themes of holiness and service. and fourteen male lambs a year old
Lambs are frequently associated with innocence and sacrifice, most notably in the Passover lamb, which prefigures Christ as the Lamb of God. The number fourteen is double seven, which is often seen as a number of spiritual perfection. This could symbolize the complete and perfect sacrifice that Christ would ultimately fulfill. all unblemished
The requirement for the animals to be unblemished underscores the need for purity and perfection in offerings to God. This foreshadows the sinless nature of Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins. The emphasis on unblemished offerings highlights God's holiness and the standard required for atonement. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the laws and instructions from God, including the sacrificial system outlined in Numbers. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were given these specific instructions for worship and sacrifice as part of their covenant relationship with Him. 3. TabernacleThe portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites, where these sacrifices were to be offered. 4. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)A significant Jewish festival during which these sacrifices were made, commemorating the Israelites' journey in the wilderness and God's provision. 5. Sacrificial AnimalsThe bulls, rams, and lambs specified for the offerings, each representing different aspects of atonement and worship. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceThe detailed instructions for sacrifices highlight the importance of obedience to God's commands. As believers, we are called to follow God's Word with precision and reverence. Symbolism of SacrificeThe unblemished animals symbolize purity and the need for a perfect sacrifice, pointing to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. God's Provision and PresenceThe Feast of Tabernacles reminds us of God's provision and presence in our lives. We are encouraged to trust in His faithfulness and provision in our own wilderness experiences. Community WorshipThe communal aspect of these sacrifices underscores the importance of gathering together in worship and supporting one another in our faith journeys. Spiritual Fulfillment in ChristWhile the Old Testament sacrifices were a shadow of things to come, they find their fulfillment in Christ. We are called to live in the reality of His completed work on the cross. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Numbers 29:23?
2.How does Numbers 29:23 emphasize the importance of following God's specific instructions?
3.What can we learn about God's character from the offerings in Numbers 29:23?
4.How does Numbers 29:23 connect to the broader context of Israel's festivals?
5.How can we apply the principle of obedience from Numbers 29:23 today?
6.What does Numbers 29:23 teach about the significance of communal worship and sacrifice?
7.What is the significance of the offerings in Numbers 29:23 for modern believers?
8.How does Numbers 29:23 reflect the importance of ritual in ancient Israelite worship?
9.Why are specific sacrifices detailed in Numbers 29:23, and what do they symbolize?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 29?
11.What evidence exists that these extensive rituals, detailed in Numbers 29, were historically observed or feasible at that scale?
12.Is there any archaeological record corroborating the elaborate sacrificial system described in Numbers 29?
13.Numbers 23:1-2: Is there any archaeological evidence supporting Balaam's elaborate sacrifices on seven altars with seven bulls and seven rams?
14.How could the Israelites realistically supply the large number of animals required for the consecutive sacrifices in Numbers 29?What Does Numbers 29:23 Mean On the fourth day- “On the fourth day” (Numbers 29:23) drops us into the middle of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. Each day had its own set of offerings, and the number of bulls decreased daily (13, 12, 11, 10…). That steady decline feels like a countdown, reminding Israel that this week-long celebration would culminate in an eighth-day assembly (Leviticus 23:34-36;John 7:37). - Day Four sits at the midpoint, encouraging worshipers not to lose heart halfway through but to press on in joyful obedience (Galatians 6:9). - As the people followed these precise instructions, they affirmed that every detail God gives is trustworthy and worth obeying (Psalm 19:7-9).
you are to present ten bulls- Bulls were the largest, costliest animals on offer. Presenting ten of them underlined both God’s greatness and His people’s gratitude (Psalm 50:10-14). - The descending bull count (Numbers 29:13, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32) forms a built-in memory aid: each day’s worship built on the last, yet pointed ahead to completion. - These bulls, like all sacrifices, foreshadowed the once-for-all offering of Christ, “who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God” (Hebrews 9:13-14).
two rams- Rams were closely linked with substitution. Abraham saw “a ram caught in the thicket” and offered it “in place of his son” (Genesis 22:13). - Here, two rams joined the bulls on the altar, emphasizing that life must be laid down so sinners can draw near (Leviticus 8:18;Romans 8:32). - Their smoke rose as a “pleasing aroma” (Numbers 29:24), pointing ahead to the perfect satisfaction achieved at Calvary (Ephesians 5:2).
and fourteen male lambs a year old- Year-old lambs were in their prime—strong, valuable, and tender. Fourteen (two full sevens) speaks of completeness and covenant fullness (Revelation 5:12). - God had already taught Israel that “your lamb must be an unblemished male a year old” (Exodus 12:5). The Passover pattern continues here, tying Tabernacles back to redemption. - Every lamb anticipated “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29;Isaiah 53:7).
all unblemished- Not a single animal could show defect (Leviticus 22:20-21). Purity mattered because the offerings pointed to the sinless Messiah: “a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). - By insisting on unblemished sacrifices, God underscored His own holiness (Habakkuk 1:13) and our need for a perfect Mediator (Hebrews 4:15). - The flawless animals also reassured worshipers that God would accept nothing less than perfection—and that He Himself would ultimately provide it (Romans 8:3-4).
summaryNumbers 29:23 highlights the midpoint offerings of Tabernacles: ten bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs—every one flawless. The precise numbers, the costly animals, and the unblemished requirement all invite us to marvel at God’s meticulous plan. Each sacrifice pointed beyond itself to the spotless, all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus. By taking these commands literally, Israel rehearsed the gospel in advance, and we today see the same God calling us to wholehearted, joyful worship anchored in the finished work of Christ.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew On the fourthהָרְבִיעִ֛י(hā·rə·ḇî·‘î)Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7243:Fourth, a fourthdayוּבַיּ֧וֹם(ū·ḇay·yō·wm)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A day[you are to present] tenעֲשָׂרָ֖ה(‘ă·śā·rāh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6235:Tenbulls,פָּרִ֥ים(pā·rîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6499:Young bull, steertwoשְׁנָ֑יִם(šə·nā·yim)Number - md
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)rams,אֵילִ֣ם(’ê·lim)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 352:Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree[and] fourteenאַרְבָּעָ֥ה(’ar·bā·‘āh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 702:Fourmale lambsכְּבָשִׂ֧ים(kə·ḇā·śîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3532:A lamba year old,בְּנֵֽי־(bə·nê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonall unblemished,תְּמִימִֽם׃(tə·mî·mim)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 8549:Entire, integrity, truth
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OT Law: Numbers 29:23 On the fourth day ten bulls two (Nu Num.) |
