Numbers 28:30 — Word Study
WLCשְׂעִ֥יר עִזִּ֖ים אֶחָ֑ד לְכַפֵּ֖ר עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
BSAInclude oneʼechâd [single, unique] male goatsâʻîyr [hairy, he-goat, kid of the goats] to make atonementkâphar [to cover, atone for, expiation, forgiveness] for youʻal [upon, on your behalf]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שְׂעִ֥יר | a male goat of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| עִזִּ֖ים | goats | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| אֶחָ֑ד | one | Adj |
| לְכַפֵּ֖ר | to make atonement | Preposition, verb piel infinitive construct common |
| עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ | on you | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Include one male goat to make atonement for you. |
| KJV | And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. |
| ASV | one he-goat, to make atonement for you. |
| YLT | one kid of the goats to make atonement for you; |
| WEB | and one male goat, to make atonement for you. |
| BBE | And one he-goat to take away your sin. |
Where they part company is in the description of the goat — see How Translations Differ.
The structure is clear and direct, with a main action followed by its purpose.
2 commentators on this verse
Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Numbers 28:30
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Instructions for Offeringsgenerated
Numbers 28:30 is part of a larger section that details the offerings to be made during the appointed times. This verse specifically mentions the inclusion of a male goat, which plays a crucial role in the sacrificial system established for atonement. The surrounding verses outline the various offerings that accompany this goat, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity and proper worship in the community.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 28:15–22 | In addition to the regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be presented to the LORD as a sin offering. |
| 2 | Numbers 15:24 | and if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, then the whole congregation is to prepare one young bull as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and drink offering according to the regulation, and one male goat as a sin offering. |
| 3 | 2 Corinthians 5:21 | God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. |
| 4 | Galatians 3:13 | Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” |
| 5 | 1 Peter 2:24 | He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׂעִיר, se.'Irgenerated
The word שָׂעִיר (se.'Ir) literally means 'hairy' and refers to a male goat, often in a sacrificial context. It is derived from a root meaning 'shaggy' and can denote both a he-goat and a satyr, suggesting a creature with goat-like features. In this verse, it indicates the specific type of goat required for the sacrificial offering.
This goat is not just any goat; it is described as unique and singular, highlighting its importance in the atonement process. The use of this term in a ritual context underscores the significance of the sacrifice in seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses the term male goat consistently across translations, including the KJV, ASV, and WEB.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb כַפֵּ֖ר (to make atonement) governs the entire clause, indicating the action being taken. The structure includes a noun phrase identifying the goat, followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the purpose of the atonement.
The sentence is straightforward, with the main action clearly stated first, followed by the object (the male goat) and the purpose of the action. This structure emphasizes the importance of the sacrifice in the context of atonement.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָׂעִיר as αἰγῶν, which also refers to goats but lacks the specific connotation of a male goat. This choice may suggest a broader interpretation of the sacrificial animal, potentially including female goats as well.
The Greek term used for atonement in the Septuagint reflects a similar ritual context but may carry different theological implications compared to the Hebrew term.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 28:30 tells us to include one male goat as a sacrifice to make atonement for the people. This goat is important for seeking forgiveness and is part of the offerings made during the appointed times.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The male goat serves as a sacrificial offering for atonement, symbolizing the need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
The specification of a male goat indicates its unique role in the sacrificial system, as certain offerings required specific types of animals.
Atonement refers to the process of making amends or covering sins through sacrificial offerings, restoring the relationship between the people and God.
This verse is part of a broader set of instructions regarding offerings, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity and proper worship in the community.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does atonement mean to me in my personal life?
- How can I apply the concept of sacrifice in my relationships with others?
- In what ways do I seek forgiveness, and how can I ensure I am making amends?
- How does understanding the sacrificial system enhance my appreciation for the biblical text?
Commentators on this verse — 2 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 28:30 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesChapters 28, 29. P The amounts of public offerings at the sacred seasons The following are the seasons for which offerings are enjoined:—(1) every morning and evening (Numbers 28:3-8), (2) the Sabbath (Numbers 28:9 f.), (3) the first day of each month (Numbers 28:11-15) [the Passover is mentioned Numbers 28:16), but no offering is commanded], (4) the seven days of Unleavened Cakes (Numbers 28:17-25), (5) the Feast of Weeks (Numbers 28:26-31), (6) the first day of the sacred seventh month, i.e. the Feast of Trumpets (Numbers 29:1-6), (7) the tenth day of the seventh month, i.e. the Day of Atonement (Numbers 29:7-11), (8) the fifteenth to the twenty-first day of the seventh month, i.e. the…
Read Cambridge on Numbers 28 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible27-31. Two… bullocks — These. the ram, and seven lambs were in addition to the one bullock, two rams, and seven lambs offered with the firstfruits, (Leviticus 23:18, note,) and besides the daily
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 28 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Include one male goat to make atonement for you.
and one male goat, to make atonement for you.
Include one male goat to make atonement for you.
as well as one male goat to make an atonement for you.
Tyndale line
And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.
one he-goat, to make atonement for you.
one he-goat, to make atonement for you.
And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.
And an hee goate to make an atonement for you:
Strictly literal
[and] one buck of the goats, to make atonement for you.
one kid of the goats to make atonement for you;
one kid of the goats to make atonement for you;
One he-goat to make an atonement for you:
and one male goat to make atonement for yourselves.
From the Latin
Which is slain for expiation: besides the perpetual holocaust and the libations thereof.
Simplified
Also present a male goat as an offering to make you right.
And one he-goat to take away your sin.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint in four out of five words, indicating a strong agreement on the core content. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly with the inclusion of the word for sin (חטאת), suggesting a different focus on the nature of the sacrifice. The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial restoration but align closely with the Masoretic Text.
שְׂעִ֥יר עִזִּ֖ים אֶחָ֑ד לְכַפֵּ֖ר עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ושׂעיר עזים אחד לחטאת לכפר עליכם
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: ו (and), חטאת (sin)
[ושעיר] [עזים] [אחד] [לחטאת] לכפר עלי׳כמה
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 28:30
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
שָׂעִר (sa`iyr) means 'hairy' and refers to a he-goat or buck, often in a sacrificial context. It can also denote a satyr or demon, suggesting a creature with goat-like features. The word is built from the root meaning 'shaggy' and appears in various contexts, including references to demonic beings.
שָׂעִר adj. hairy
base
שָׂעִיר 63 n.m. he-goat, buck (hairy one)
base
שָׂעִיר n.m. satyr, demon (with he-goat’s form, or feet)
base
H8163a שָׂעִר hairy H8163b שָׂעִיר he-goat, buck H8163c שָׂעִיר satyr, demon
8163 sa`iyr saw-eer'
or sabir {saw-eer'}; from 8175; shaggy; as noun, a he-goat;
by analogy, a faun:--devil, goat, hairy, kid, rough, satyr.
see HEBREW for 08175
שָׂעִר (sa.ir) — hairy.
adj
hairy
שָׂעִיר (sa.ir) — he-goat.
1) he-goat, buck
1a) as sacrificial animal
שָׂעִיר (sa.ir) — satyr.
satyr, may refer to a demon possessed goat like the swine of Gadara (Mt 8:30-32)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עֵז (ez) refers to a she-goat or female goat, and can also denote a kid. It is derived from a root meaning strength, and in the plural form, it can refer to goats in general or goat's hair. The word appears in various contexts in the Old Testament.
עֵז 74 n.f. she-goat
base
H5795 עֵז she-goat
5795 `ez aze
from 5810; a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural
(which also is used ellipt. for goat's hair):--(she) goat,
kid.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֵז (ez) — goat.
female goat, she-goat, goat, kid
Aramaic equivalent: ez (עֵז "goat" H5796)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
אֶחָד (echad) means 'one' and is derived from a numeral. It encompasses meanings such as each, every, a certain, and can serve as an indefinite article. It is also used as an ordinal to denote 'first' and appears in various combinations, including eleven. The entries consistently emphasize its numerical and qualitative aspects.
אֶחָד 972 adj.num. one
one
= each, every
= a certain
= indef. art.
only, & (fem.) once
one … another, one … the other
as ordinal first
in combin.
base
H259 אֶחָד one . one
. = each, every
. = a certain
. = indef. art.
. only, & (fem.) once
. one … another, one … the other
. as ordinal first
. in combin.
259 'echad ekh-awd'
a numeral from 258; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an
ordinal) first:--a, alike, alone, altogether, and,
any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), +
eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only,
other, some, together,
see HEBREW for 0258
אֶחָד (e.chad) — one.
1) one (number)
1a) one (number)
1b) each, every
1c) a certain
1d) an (indefinite article)
1e) only, once, once for all
1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one
1g) first
1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Adj — AdjHAcfsa
wun.
See NUMBER.
The Hebrew word כִּפֶּר (kaphar) is built from a root meaning 'to cover.' It encompasses a range of meanings including to atone, pacify, and make propitiation, often in a legal or ritual context. The word also appears in a more literal sense, such as covering with pitch. There is a distinction between its uses in different grammatical forms, indicating various nuances in meaning.
כִּפֶּר vb. Pi. etc. denom. cover over (fig.), pacify, make propitiation
Pi.
cover over, pacify, propitiate
cover over, atone for sin, without sacrifice
cover over, atone for sin and persons by legal rites
Pu. be covered over, atoned for
Hithp. the iniquity of the house of Eli shall not be covered by peace-offering or minchah
Niph. and the blood shall be covered for them
base
כָּפַר vb. denom. Gn 6:14 and thou shalt pitch it with pitch (P).
ref
H3722a כִּפֶּר vb. denom. cover over (fig.), pacify, make propitiation H3722b כָּפַר vb. denom. and thou shalt pitch it with pitch
3722 kaphar kaw-far'
a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen);
figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:--
appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be
merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make)
reconcile(-liation).
כִּפֶּר (ki.pher) — to atone.
1) to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to cover over, pacify, propitiate
1a2) to cover over, atone for sin, make atonement for
1a3) to cover over, atone for sin and persons by legal rites
1b) (Pual)
1b1) to be covered over
1b2) to be atoned for
1c) (Hithpael) to be covered
כָּפַר (ka.phar) — to cover.
(Qal) to coat or cover with pitch
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a — Preposition · verb piel infinitive construct commonHR/Vpcc
a-ton'-ment: Translates kaphar; chaTa'; ratsah, the last employed only of human relations (1Sa 29:4); translates the following Greek stems hilas-, simple and compounded with various prepositions; allag- in composition only, but with numerous prepositions and even two at a time, e. g. Mt 5:24; lip- rarely (Da 9:24).
I. Terms Employed.
1. Hebrew and Greek Words:
The root meanings of the Hebrew words, taking them in the order cited above, are, to "cover," hence expiate, condone, cancel, placate; to "offer," or "receive a sin offering," hence, make atonement, appease, propitiate; "effect reconciliation," i. e. by some conduct, or course of action. Of the Greek words the meanings, in order, are "to be," or "cause to be, friendly"; "to…
Atonement
This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word “reconciliation” is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence.
The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ.
The satisfaction offered to divine justice for the sins of mankind by the death of Jesus Christ; by virtue of which all true penitents believing in Christ are reconciled to God, are freed from the penalty of their sins, and entitled to eternal life. The atonement by Jesus Christ is the great distinguishing peculiarity of the gospel, and is presented in a great variety of terms and illustrations in both the Old Testament and the New. See REDEMPTION, SACRIFICES.
The English word atonement originally denoted the reconciliation of parties previously at variance. It is used in the Old Testament to translate a Hebrew word which means a covering; implying that by a Divine propitiation the sinner is covered from the just anger of God. This is actually effected by the death of Christ; while the ceremonial offerings of the Jewish church only secured from impending temporal judgments, and typified…
→ For tabernacle and furniture Le 16:15-20,33
→ In consummation of the Levites Nu 8:21
→ For those defiled by the dead Nu 6:11
→ Made for houses Le 14:53
→ For sin, see below
→ By meat offerings Le 5:11-13
→ By jewels Nu 31:50
→ By money Ex 30:12-16; Le 5:15,16; 2Ki 12:16
→ By incense Nu 16:46-50
→ By animals, see below
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp2mp