Numbers 7:16

One kid of the goats. Literally, "one shaggy one." Hebrew, sa "eer. Septuagint, cimaron . (see on Lev_4:23) It is noticeable that while the burnt offerings and peace offerings were multiplied, the sin offering remained a single victim.

The universality of the sin offering.

The sin offering was one of the expiatory sacrifices of the law. We meet with it so often and under such varied circumstances that it bears a striking testimony

(1) to the universality of sin, and

(2) to the need of an absolute, world-wide, everlasting atonement.

Classifying the references to the sin offering, we find various illustrations of this truth, fruitful of application to our need of the great offering" for sin at all times, and under the manifold circumstances of private and public life. The sin offering was required, and presented.

1. From one end of the year to the other, on every return of the new moon. (Num_28:15)

2. On feasts as well as fasts; at the feasts of Pentecost, trumpets, and tabernacles, (Lev_23:19 Num_29:5, Num_29:16) as well as on the day of atonement. (Le 16)

3. In connection with voluntary dedication, whether of gifts, (Num_7:16) or of personal consecration, as of the Nazarite. (Num_6:14)

4. At the consecration to sacred offices, as e.g. Aaron, (Exo_29:14) or the Levites. (Num_8:5-12)

5. At the consecration of sacred things, e.g., the altar of incense. (Exo_30:10) A sin offering was presented every year for the sanctuary. (Lev_16:15, Lev_16:16)

6. For sins of all classes of men; e.g., a priest, the whole congregation, a ruler, "one of the common people". (Le 4) In these offerings there were gradations, according to position and privilege, or according to means. (Lev_5:6, Lev_5:7)

7. For purification from unavoidable defilement, whether of leprosy (Lev_14:22) or childbirth. (Lev_12:6-8)

8. These offerings were for sins of omission or of ignorance, but not for presumptuous sins. P. (Le 5 Num_15:22-31 Heb_10:26, Heb_10:27)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

One kid of the goats for a sin offering. Though these offerings of the princes were by way of thanksgiving, and to express their joy and gladness at the erection of the tabernacle, its altars, and the service thereof; yet as this might not be without sin, which attends the best and purest performances of men, a sin offering was required, teaching us to look to Christ, who was made an offering for sin, for the taking away the sins of our holy things.

One kid of the goats for a sin offering. Though these offerings of the princes were by way of thanksgiving, and to express their joy and gladness at the erection of the tabernacle, its altars, and the service thereof; yet as this might not be without sin, which attends the best and purest performances of men, a sin offering was required, teaching us to look to Christ, who was made an offering for sin, for the taking away the sins of our holy things.

Numbers 7:17

num 7:17

num 7:17

num 7:17And for a sacrifice of peace offerings,.... So that here were all sorts of offerings on this occasion, meat and drink offerings, burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings: and for the latter were brought

two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year; the reason why so many were brought and used for this sort of sacrifice was, because with these a feast was made, of which not only the priests partook, but the princes, and as many of their friends and acquaintance as they thought fit to invite:

this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab: which he offered out of his own substance, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase it; though some have thought, that the presents and offerings were so large, and the princes not so very rich, or so much above the common people, as may be thought, that therefore they were assisted by the several tribes they were princes of: and as was this prince's offering, so were all the rest that follow in the order, according to their encampment under the several standards where they were fixed; and which were offered successively every day, the sabbath day or days not excepted, these being religious services, until the whole twelve were finished; and their presents and their offerings were exactly the same, and the account of them is given in the same words; they either agreeing together to make the same presents and offerings, or else they were directed to do so by the Spirit of God; whereby might be signified the common and equal right that they, and the tribes they represented, had in the altars, and the benefits arising from thence; as those that believe in Christ have an altar which is himself, they have a joint right to partake of, and have an equal share in the benefits of righteousness, peace, pardon, and atonement by him; see Heb 13:10; wherefore there is nothing more particularly to be observed in Num 7:17; only that in the several accounts of the presents and offerings of each prince, the vowel points in the Hebrew text are omitted, excepting in the names of persons that offer; which does not at all militate against the antiquity of the points, or their being coeval with the consonants, since, both in manuscripts and printed copies, these may be left out for brevity's sake, and quicker dispatch, and without any detriment, since they may be easily supplied from the first instance given; and they may be omitted on purpose, that these accounts might be the more taken notice of as a very wonderful thing, that their presents and offerings should be exactly alike; since the vowels being wanting, the naked letters may the more strike the eye, and lead the mind to notice them; and whereas the accents are all along continued, the reason of which may be, because the vowels once put, and read, might be more easily known, especially by one skilful in the Hebrew language, than the stops, distinctions, and divisions of the text, as a learned man has observed (i).

(i) Vid. Pfeiffer. Dubia vexata, cent. 2. loc. 19. p. 147.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

16. Sin offering — See Leviticus 4, notes.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

שעיר עזים אחד לחטאת ONE KID OF THE GOATS FOR A SIN-OFFERING, to make expiation for uncleanness caused by a grave in the depths of the earth, (i.e. one that is not known to exist and it might therefore be assumed that people passed over it and thereby unwittingly became unclean), which was only a doubtful uncleanness (one about which there exists a doubt as to whether it actually has been incurred or not) (cf. Sifrei Bamidbar 51).

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.