Numbers 29:21 — Word Study
WLCוּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִים לָאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃
BSAalong with the grain and drink offeringsminchâh [meal, libations] for the bullspar [young oxen] ramsʼayil [strong male sheep] and lambskebes [young sheep] according to the numbermiçpâr [quantity, narrative] prescribedmishpâṭ [after the ordinance, according to the manner]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם | and grain offering their | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם | and drink offerings their | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| לַ֠פָּרִים | for the young bulls | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| לָאֵילִ֧ם | for the rams | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים | and for the lambs | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם | by number their | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃ | according to the ordinance | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. |
| KJV | And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: |
| ASV | and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; |
| YLT | and their present, and their libations, for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, in their number, according to the ordinance; |
| WEB | and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; |
| BBE | And their meal offering and drink offerings for the oxen, for the male sheep, and for the lambs, in relation to their number, as it is ordered: |
Where they part company is מִנְחָה — see How Translations Differ.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by additional phrases that specify the offerings and their quantities.
2 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, 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 29:21
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 — The Offerings Prescribedgenerated
Numbers 29:21 provides instructions for the offerings to be made during a festival, emphasizing the importance of both animal sacrifices and grain and drink offerings. This verse highlights the meticulous nature of the sacrificial system, where specific quantities and types of offerings were required to maintain the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
Cross References
The Key Word — מִנְחָה, minchahgenerated
The term מִנְחָה (minchah) refers to a gift or offering, particularly in a religious context. It is derived from a root meaning to apportion or bestow, indicating a donation or present, especially to God. In this verse, it specifically denotes a grain offering, which is a form of bloodless sacrifice presented to God, often as a sign of gratitude or devotion.
The use of מִנְחָה here emphasizes the importance of offerings in worship and the acknowledgment of God's provision. It is a common term in the sacrificial system, reflecting the Israelites' relationship with God and their commitment to following His commandments.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses grain and drink offerings to describe the types of offerings.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause of the verse outlines the offerings to be presented: וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם, and their grain offering. This clause is followed by a series of prepositional phrases that specify the types of animals and the accompanying offerings.
The structure emphasizes the detailed nature of the sacrificial system, with each phrase specifying the components of the offerings, indicating that the worship practices were to be carried out precisely as prescribed.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מִנְחָה as αὐτῶν, indicating a direct correspondence to the Hebrew term for offering. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the term as a gift or offering in a religious context.
The translation of the other elements, such as נִסְכֵּיהֶם as καὶ, shows a straightforward rendering that aligns with the Hebrew, maintaining the focus on the offerings made.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 29:21 describes the offerings to be made during a festival, specifying the types of animals and the accompanying grain and drink offerings. It emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions carefully in worship.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The verse mentions grain offerings and drink offerings for bulls, rams, and lambs, indicating the various forms of sacrifices required during the festival.
These offerings are significant as they represent the Israelites' devotion to God and their acknowledgment of His provision, following the specific requirements set forth in the Law.
This verse is part of the detailed instructions for the sacrificial system, which outlines how the Israelites were to worship God through various offerings, reflecting their covenant relationship with Him.
This phrase implies that the offerings were to be made in specific quantities as determined by God's ordinance, highlighting the importance of obedience and precision in worship.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do the offerings in this verse reflect our own acts of worship today?
- What can we learn about the importance of following God's instructions in our lives?
- In what ways can we express our gratitude to God through our own 'offerings'?
- How does understanding the sacrificial system enhance our appreciation of God's provision?
Commentators on this verse — 2 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 29:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: On the fifteenth day - was to be held
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 29 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE FEAST OF — , Numbers 29:12-40.The cycle of Jewish feasts culminated in this, the grandest and most joyful of all.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 29 →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
along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed.
and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance;
along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed.
and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number as prescribed,
Tyndale line
And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance;
and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance:
And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
With their meate offring and their drinke offrings, for the bullockes, for the rams, and for the lambes, after their nomber according to the maner,
Strictly literal
and their oblation and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, by their number, according to the ordinance;
and their present, and their libations, for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, in their number, according to the ordinance;
and their present and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, in their number, according to the ordinance;
And their meat-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the sheep, shall be according to their number, after the prescribed manner;
You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded.
From the Latin
And the sacrifices and the libations of every one for the calves and for the rams and for the lambs you shall offer according to the rite:
Simplified
They are to be accompanied by their grain offerings and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, all according to the number required.
And their meal offering and drink offerings for the oxen, for the male sheep, and for the lambs, in relation to their number, as it is ordered:
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 consistent with the Septuagint, with 7 of the 7 words matched. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly, substituting אילים for אֵילִם, but the overall structure and intent of the verse remain intact across these witnesses.
וּמִנְחָתָ֣ם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֡ם לַ֠פָּרִים לָאֵילִ֧ם וְלַכְּבָשִׂ֛ים בְּמִסְפָּרָ֖ם כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃
7 of the 7 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.
ומנחתם ונסכיהם לפרים לאילים ולכבשׂים במספרם כמשׁפט
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: אילים (ram, despot)
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 29:21
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.
מִנְחָה (minchah) refers to a gift or offering, particularly in a religious context. It encompasses a range of meanings including tribute, voluntary offerings, and specifically bloodless sacrifices, often grain offerings. The term is derived from a root meaning to apportion or bestow, indicating a donation or present, especially to God.
מִנְחָה 153 n.f. gift, tribute, offering
gift, present
tribute
offering made to God, of any kind, whether grain or animals
grain offering
grain-offering, always with this meaning in P
vbs. of offering are
base
H4503 מִנְחָה gift, tribute, offering
4503 minchah min-khaw'
from an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. bestow; a
donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial
offering (usually bloodless and voluntary):--gift, oblation,
(meat) offering, present, sacrifice.
מִנְחָה (min.chah) — offering.
: offering/sacrifice
1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering
1a) gift, present
1b) tribute
1c) offering (to God)
1d) grain offering
מִנְחָה (min.chah) — offering: gift.
: gift
1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering
1a) gift, present
1b) tribute
1c) offering (to God)
1d) grain offering
מִנְחָה (min.chah) — offering: tribute.
: tribute
1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering
1a) gift, present
1b) tribute
1c) offering (to God)
1d) grain offering
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp3mp
The Hebrew word נֶ֫סֶךְ (*necek*) primarily means 'drink offering' or 'libation,' referring to a ritual pouring of liquid. It can also denote 'molten images' or 'cast idols.' The word is derived from a root meaning to pour out, and its Aramaic equivalent is noted as well.
נֶ֫סֶךְ n.m. drink-offering
drink-offering
molten images
base
H5262 נֶ֫סֶךְ drink-offering . drink-offering
. molten images
5262 necek neh'-sek
or necek {nay'-sek}; from 5258; a libation; also a cast
idol:--cover, drink offering, molten image.
see HEBREW for 05258
נֶ֫סֶךְ (ne.sekh) — drink offering.
1) drink offering, libation, molten image, something poured out
1a) drink offering
1b) molten images
Aramaic equivalent: ne.sakh (נְסַךְ "drink offering" H5261)
HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp
פַּר (par) refers to a young bull or steer. It is derived from a root that suggests strength or breaking forth. The term encompasses meanings like bullock and calf, indicating its use in contexts related to livestock.
פַּר 132 n.m. young bull, steer
base
H6499 פַּר young bull, steer
6499 par par
or par {pawr}; from 6565; a bullock (apparently as breaking
forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof):--(+
young) bull(-ock), calf, ox.
see HEBREW for 06565
פַּר (par) — bullock.
young bull, steer, bullock
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
אַ֫יִל (ayil) encompasses several meanings, including 'ram,' 'projecting pillar or pilaster,' 'leader or chief,' and 'terebinth.' It is derived from a root meaning strength, suggesting a connection to might and support. The term appears in various contexts, reflecting its diverse applications in the Old Testament.
אַ֫יִל 156 n.m. ram (as leader of flock)
base
אַ֫יִל n.[m.] projecting pillar or pilaster
base
[אַ֫יִל ?] n.m. leader, chief
base
[אַ֫יִל ?] n.m. terebinth
base
H352a אַ֫יִל ram H352b אַ֫יִל projecting pillar or pilaster H352c אַ֫יִל leader, chief H352d אַ֫יִל terebinth
352 'ayil ah'-yil
from the same as 193; properly, strength; hence, anything
strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from
his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or
other strong tree:--mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram,
tree.
see HEBREW for 0193
אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — ram.
1) ram
1a) ram (as food)
1b) ram (as sacrifice)
1c) ram (skin dyed red, for tabernacle)
אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — pillar.
pillar, door post, jambs, pilaster
אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — leader.
strong man, leader, chief
אַ֫יִל (a.yil) — terebinth.
mighty tree, terebinth
Aramaic equivalent: i.lan (אִילָן "tree" H0363)
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
כֶּ֫בֶשׂ (*kebes*) means 'lamb' and can also refer to a young ram or sheep. The word is derived from an unused root suggesting a meaning related to dominance. It appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, primarily denoting young sheep.
כֶּ֫בֶשׂ 107 n.m. lamb
base
H3532 כֶּ֫בֶשׂ lamb
3532 kebes keh-bes'
from an unused root meaning to dominate; a ram (just old
enough to butt):--lamb, sheep.
כֶּ֫בֶשׂ (ke.ve.s) — lamb.
lamb, sheep, young ram
Conj | Prep | N-mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/Rd/Ncmpa
are the young of sheep, but originally included also the young of goats. They formed an important part of almost every sacrifice. (Exodus 29:38-41; Numbers 28:9,11; 29:2,13-40) etc. [On the paschal lamb see PASSOVER]
מִסְפָּר (mispar) means 'number' or 'tale.' It can refer to definite or indefinite quantities, ranging from large to small. The word also encompasses concepts of narration and recounting. The entries consistently highlight its numerical and narrative aspects without significant disagreement.
מִסְפָּר 133 n.m. number, tale
base
H4557 מִסְפָּר number, tale
4557 micpar mis-pawr'
from 5608; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite
(large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly)
narration:--+ abundance, account, X all, X few, (in-)finite,
(certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, + time.
see HEBREW for 05608
מִסְפָּר (mis.par) — number.
1) number, tale
1a) number
1a1) number
1a2) innumerable (with negative)
1a3) few, numerable (alone)
1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep)
1b) recounting, relation
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp
The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.
מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment
judgment
justice, right, rectitude
ordinance
decision
one's (legal) right, privilege, due
proper, fitting, measure
custom, manner
what manner of
plan
base
H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment
. justice, right, rectitude
. ordinance
. decision
. one's (legal) right, privilege, due
. . proper, fitting, measure
. custom, manner
. what manner of
. plan
4941 mishpat mish-pawt'
from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)
pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree
(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or
collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the
crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a
participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or
even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,
custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,
fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),
(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,
ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.
see HEBREW for 08199
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)
1c) ordinance
1d) decision (in law)
1e) right, privilege, due (legal)
1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
or'-di-nans:
1. Old Testament Use:
This word generally represents chuqqah, something prescribed, enactment, usually with reference to matters of ritual. In the King James Version the same word is frequently translated by "statute" or "statutes," which is also the rendering of a similar Hebrew word, namely, choq. the Revised Version (British and American) generally retains "ordinance," but sometimes substitutes "statute" (e.g. Ex 18:20; Ps 99:7). In one instance the Revised Version (British and American) renders "set portion" (Eze 45:14). The word generally has a religious or ceremonial significance. It is used for instance in connection with the Passover (Ex 12:43;