Numbers 15:3
New International Version
and you present to the LORD food offerings from the herd or the flock, as an aroma pleasing to the LORD—whether burnt offerings or sacrifices, for special vows or freewill offerings or festival offerings—

New Living Translation
you will offer special gifts as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. These gifts may take the form of a burnt offering, a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, a voluntary offering, or an offering at any of your annual festivals, and they may be taken from your herds of cattle or your flocks of sheep and goats.

English Standard Version
and you offer to the LORD from the herd or from the flock a food offering or a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts, to make a pleasing aroma to the LORD,

Berean Standard Bible
and you present an offering made by fire to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast—

King James Bible
And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:

New King James Version
and you make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or in your appointed feasts, to make a sweet aroma to the LORD, from the herd or the flock,

New American Standard Bible
and you make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or as a voluntary offering or at your appointed times, to make a soothing aroma to the LORD from the herd or from the flock,

NASB 1995
then make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or as a freewill offering or in your appointed times, to make a soothing aroma to the LORD, from the herd or from the flock.

NASB 1977
then make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or as a freewill offering or in your appointed times, to make a soothing aroma to the LORD, from the herd or from the flock.

Legacy Standard Bible
then make an offering by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or as a freewill offering or in your appointed times, to make a soothing aroma to Yahweh, from the herd or from the flock.

Amplified Bible
then make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a special vow, or as a freewill offering or in your appointed feasts, to make a sweet and soothing aroma to the LORD, from the herd or from the flock.

Christian Standard Bible
and you make a food offering to the LORD from the herd or flock—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow, or as a freewill offering, or at your appointed festivals—to produce a pleasing aroma for the LORD,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and you make a fire offering to the LORD from the herd or flock—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow, or as a freewill offering, or at your appointed festivals—to produce a pleasing aroma for the LORD,

American Standard Version
and will make an offering by fire unto Jehovah, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a freewill-offering, or in your set feasts, to make a sweet savor unto Jehovah, of the herd, or of the flock;

Contemporary English Version
Bulls or rams or goats are the animals that you may burn on the altar as sacrifices to please me. You may also offer sacrifices voluntarily or because you made a promise, or because they are part of your regular religious ceremonies. The smell of the smoke from these sacrifices is pleasing to me.

English Revised Version
and will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a freewill offering, or in your set feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
you may bring offerings by fire to the LORD. They may be burnt offerings or any other kind of sacrifice. They may be offered to fulfill a vow, as a freewill offering, or as one of your festival offerings. They may be cattle, sheep, or goats-offerings that are a soothing aroma to the LORD.

Good News Translation
A bull, a ram, a sheep, or a goat may be presented to the LORD as a burnt offering or as a sacrifice in fulfillment of a vow or as a freewill offering or as an offering at your regular religious festivals; the odor of these food offerings is pleasing to the LORD.

International Standard Version
when you enter the land where you'll be living that I'm about to give you, you are to make an offering by fire to the LORD, either a burnt offering, a sacrificial offering to fulfill a vow, or a voluntary offering at the appointed time, to make a pleasing aroma to the LORD either from your cattle or from your flocks.

Majority Standard Bible
and you present an offering made by fire to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast—

NET Bible
and you make an offering by fire to the LORD from the herd or from the flock (whether a burnt offering or a sacrifice for discharging a vow or as a freewill offering or in your solemn feasts) to create a pleasing aroma to the LORD,

New Heart English Bible
and will make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a freewill offering, or in your set feasts, to make a pleasant aroma to the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock;

Webster's Bible Translation
And will make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a free-will-offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savor to the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:

World English Bible
and will make an offering by fire to Yahweh—a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a free will offering, or in your set feasts, to make a pleasant aroma to Yahweh, of the herd, or of the flock—
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then you have prepared a fire-offering to YHWH, a burnt-offering or a sacrifice, for separating a vow or free-will offering, or in your appointed things, to make a refreshing fragrance to YHWH, out of the herd or out of the flock.

Young's Literal Translation
then ye have prepared a fire-offering to Jehovah, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice, at separating a vow or free-will-offering, or in your appointed things, to make a sweet fragrance to Jehovah, out of the herd, or out of the flock.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye did a sacrifice to Jehovah, a burnt-offering or a sacrifice to separate a vow, or in willingness, or in your assemblies, to make an odor of sweetness to Jehovah, from the oxen or from the sheep:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And shall make an offering to the Lord, for a holocaust, or a victim, paying your vows, or voluntarily offering gifts, or in your solemnities burning a sweet savour unto the Lord, of oxen or of sheep:

Catholic Public Domain Version
and you make an offering to the Lord, as a holocaust or as a victim, paying your vows, or as a voluntary offering of gifts, or in your solemnities, burning a sweet odor to the Lord, whether from the oxen or from the sheep:

New American Bible
if you make to the LORD an oblation from the herd or from the flock—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow, or as a voluntary offering, or for one of your festivals—to produce a pleasing aroma for the LORD,

New Revised Standard Version
and you make an offering by fire to the LORD from the herd or from the flock—whether a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed festivals—to make a pleasing odor for the LORD,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall offer an offering to the LORD, a burnt offering or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour to the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Bring an offering to LORD JEHOVAH; a burnt offering or sacrifice, dedicate a vow or a dedication, or in your feasts, and make a fragrance of pleasure to LORD JEHOVAH from oxen or from sheep.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice, in fulfilment of a vow clearly uttered, or as a freewill-offering, or in your appointed seasons, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and thou wilt offer whole-burnt-offerings to the Lord, a whole-burnt-offering or a meat-offering to perform a vow, or a free-will offering, or to offer in your feasts a sacrifice of sweet savour to the Lord, whether of the herd or the flock:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws about Offerings
2“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: After you enter the land that I am giving you as a home 3and you present an offering made by fire to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD— either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast— 4then the one presenting his offering to the LORD shall also present a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter hin of olive oil.…

Cross References
Leviticus 1:2-3
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock. / If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD.

Exodus 29:38-42
This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. / Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight. / With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine. ...

Leviticus 23:18
Along with the bread you are to present seven unblemished male lambs a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They will be a burnt offering to the LORD, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings—a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 2:1-2
“When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering must consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it, / and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 6:14-18
Now this is the law of the grain offering: Aaron’s sons shall present it before the LORD in front of the altar. / The priest is to remove a handful of fine flour and olive oil, together with all the frankincense from the grain offering, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. / Aaron and his sons are to eat the remainder. It must be eaten without leaven in a holy place; they are to eat it in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting. ...

Leviticus 7:11-13
Now this is the law of the peace offering that one may present to the LORD: / If he offers it in thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with olive oil, unleavened wafers coated with oil, and well-kneaded cakes of fine flour mixed with oil. / Along with his peace offering of thanksgiving he is to present an offering with cakes of leavened bread.

Leviticus 22:18-20
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites and tell them, ‘Any man of the house of Israel or any foreign resident who presents a gift for a burnt offering to the LORD, whether to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, / must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf. / You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.

Deuteronomy 12:11
then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.

1 Chronicles 29:21
The next day they offered sacrifices and presented burnt offerings to the LORD: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, along with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.

2 Chronicles 29:31
Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings.

Ezra 3:3-6
They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings—even though they feared the people of the land. / They 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. / After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings and those for New Moons and for all the appointed sacred feasts of the LORD, as well as all the freewill offerings brought to the LORD. ...

Nehemiah 10:33
for the showbread, for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings, for the Sabbath offerings, for the New Moons and appointed feasts, for the holy offerings, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the duties of the house of our God.

Psalm 51:19
Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Ezekiel 46:13-15
And you shall provide an unblemished year-old lamb as a daily burnt offering to the LORD; you are to offer it every morning. / You are also to provide with it every morning a grain offering of a sixth of an ephah with a third of a hin of oil to moisten the fine flour—a grain offering to the LORD. This is a permanent statute. / Thus they shall provide the lamb, the grain offering, and the oil every morning as a regular burnt offering.’


Treasury of Scripture

And will make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet smell to the LORD, of the herd or of the flock:

will make

Exodus 29:18,25,41
And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD…

Leviticus 1:2,3,9,13,17
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock…

Leviticus 10:13
And ye shall eat it in the holy place, because it is thy due, and thy sons' due, of the sacrifices of the LORD made by fire: for so I am commanded.

a burnt

Leviticus 1:1
And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

a sacrifice

Leviticus 7:16
But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:

Leviticus 22:18-23
Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering; …

Deuteronomy 12:11
Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

performing.

Leviticus 27:2
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation.

or in a free-will

Leviticus 22:21,23
And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein…

Deuteronomy 12:6,17
And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: …

Deuteronomy 16:10
And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

in your

Numbers 28:16-19,27
And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD…

Numbers 29:1,2,8,13
And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you…

Leviticus 23:8,12,36
But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein

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Accomplish Appointed Aroma Burnt Burnt-Offering Clearly Herd Performing Pleasant Pleasing Present Sacrifice Savor Seasons Solemn Soothing Special Sweet Times Uttered Vow
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Accomplish Appointed Aroma Burnt Burnt-Offering Clearly Herd Performing Pleasant Pleasing Present Sacrifice Savor Seasons Solemn Soothing Special Sweet Times Uttered Vow
Numbers 15
1. The law of the meat offering, and the drink offering
14. The stranger is under the same law
17. The law of the first of the dough
22. The sacrifice for sins of ignorance
30. The punishment of presumption
32. He who violated the Sabbath is stoned
37. The law of tassels














and you present
The Hebrew root for "present" is "qarab," which means to come near or approach. This word signifies the act of drawing near to God, emphasizing the relational aspect of worship. In the ancient context, presenting an offering was not merely a ritualistic duty but an intimate act of devotion and reverence, symbolizing the worshiper's desire to be close to the divine presence.

an offering made by fire
The phrase "offering made by fire" translates from the Hebrew "ishsheh," which refers to sacrifices consumed by fire on the altar. Fire in the biblical context often symbolizes purification and the presence of God. This offering signifies the complete dedication of the worshiper, as the fire consumes the sacrifice, transforming it into a spiritual act of worship.

to the LORD
The term "LORD" is derived from the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God. This name emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenant relationship with Israel. Offering sacrifices to the LORD underscores the acknowledgment of His sovereignty and the worshiper's submission to His divine will.

from the herd or the flock
This phrase indicates the source of the offerings, either cattle or sheep/goats. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, these animals represented wealth and sustenance. Offering them to God was a significant act of faith and trust, acknowledging that all provisions ultimately come from Him.

a pleasing aroma to the LORD
The Hebrew "nihoah" means soothing or tranquilizing, and "reach" means aroma. Together, they convey the idea of a sacrifice that is acceptable and delightful to God. This phrase reflects the spiritual truth that sincere worship and obedience are pleasing to God, transcending the physical act of sacrifice.

either a burnt offering or a sacrifice
The "burnt offering" (Hebrew "olah") was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God. The "sacrifice" (Hebrew "zebach") could refer to various offerings, including peace offerings, which were shared between the altar, the priests, and the offerer. These offerings represent different aspects of worship, from complete surrender to communal fellowship with God.

to fulfill a vow
The Hebrew "neder" refers to a solemn promise made to God. Vows were voluntary commitments that, once made, were binding. Fulfilling a vow through sacrifice demonstrates integrity and faithfulness, reflecting the worshiper's commitment to uphold their word before God.

or as a freewill offering
The "nedabah" in Hebrew signifies a voluntary offering given out of gratitude or devotion, not out of obligation. This type of offering highlights the importance of giving to God with a willing heart, emphasizing the joy and freedom found in worship.

or at your appointed feasts
The Hebrew "moed" refers to divinely appointed times for worship and celebration. These feasts were communal gatherings that reinforced Israel's identity as God's chosen people. Offering sacrifices during these times was an expression of collective worship and remembrance of God's faithfulness and provision throughout their history.

Verse 3. - A burnt offering, or a sacrifice, i.e., a whole burnt offering, or a slain offering. There should be a comma after the word "sacrifice." In performing a vow, or in a free-will offering, or in your solemn feasts. The burnt offering, or slain offering, might be offered in either of these three ways, in addition to the more ordinary sacrifices which do not come into question here.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and you present
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֨ם (wa·‘ă·śî·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

an offering made by fire
אִשֶּׁ֤ה (’iš·šeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 801: A burnt-offering, a sacrifice

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the herd
הַבָּקָ֖ר (hab·bā·qār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

or
א֥וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

flock
הַצֹּֽאן׃ (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

to produce
לַעֲשׂ֞וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a pleasing
נִיחֹ֙חַ֙ (nî·ḥō·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5207: A quieting, soothing, tranquilizing

aroma
רֵ֤יחַ (rê·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7381: To smell, perceive odor

to the LORD—
לַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

either a burnt offering
עֹלָ֣ה (‘ō·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

or
אוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

a sacrifice
זֶ֔בַח (ze·ḇaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

to fulfill
לְפַלֵּא־ (lə·p̄al·lê-)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6381: To separate, distinguish, to be, great, difficult, wonderful

a vow
נֶ֙דֶר֙ (ne·ḏer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5088: A promise, a thing promised

or
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

as a freewill
בִנְדָבָ֔ה (ḇin·ḏā·ḇāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5071: Spontaneity, spontaneous, a spontaneous, abundant gift

or
א֖וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

festival offering—
בְּמֹעֲדֵיכֶ֑ם (bə·mō·‘ă·ḏê·ḵem)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting


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OT Law: Numbers 15:3 And will make an offering by fire (Nu Num.)
Numbers 15:2
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