· Translation: KJV

Numbers 29:31and one male goat for a sin offering; besides the continual burnt offering, the meal offering of it, and the drink offerings of it.

The setting

Sinai Peninsula, ~1440 BC. After all the celebration offerings, Moses records the essential sin offering - one goat to cover the people's failures even during their most joyful feast.

The emotion here: solemn awareness that even joy requires cleansing from sin

The original word

chattath (חַטָּאת) — sin offering, literally 'missing the mark,' requiring a substitute to die

Why it matters

Even during Israel's happiest festival, they needed atonement for sin, showing humanity's constant need for forgiveness

Read with care

What most readers miss in Numbers 29:31

This sin offering comes AFTER all the celebration - even our best worship needs cleansing

Common misconceptionPeople think the sin offering was punishment, but it was actually God's merciful provision - He provided the way for sinners to approach Him safely.

Bible Genome reading

Numbers 29:31 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerGod
Eraexodus
Primary emotionworship
Literary typelaw
MarkCommand

Emotional genome

Comfort power30%
Quotability10%
Memorability20%
Crisis relevance20%
Standalone20%
Themes:atonementsacrificecontinuity

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Numbers 29

Numbers 29:31 comes from the book of Numbers, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is worship, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include atonement, sacrifice, continuity. Notable phrases: sin offering; continual burnt offering; male goat. This verse contains a command.

Your reflection

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