What is the meaning of Numbers 7:82? One • Each tribal leader brought exactly “one” goat, matching the pattern already given for the other offerings in Numbers 7. The single animal underscores: – Unity: all twelve tribes stood on equal footing before the LORD (Numbers 7:12–83). – Sufficiency: one sacrifice was enough to cover the specific requirement laid out for this dedication (Leviticus 4:35). – Focus: one points to God’s orderly design—no tribe could boast by adding or withholding (Ephesians 4:5). – Anticipation: just as one goat was offered here, one perfect sacrifice would later take away sin once for all (Hebrews 10:12–14). Male goat • Goats were frequently appointed for sin offerings (Leviticus 4:22–24; 16:5). A male goat in particular symbolized leadership responsibility and strength. • By bringing a male rather than a female, the leader acknowledged: – The costliness of sin—male animals were often considered more valuable (2 Samuel 24:24). – The need for a substitute that met God’s stated standard (Leviticus 9:3). • The goat motif carries forward to the Day of Atonement, where one goat was slain and the other released, picturing both propitiation and expiation (Leviticus 16:15, 21–22; Hebrews 9:13). For a sin offering • The sin offering dealt with unintentional sin and impurity, restoring fellowship between the people and God (Leviticus 4:1–2; 5:17–18). • Even at the joyful dedication of the tabernacle, sin had to be addressed first—holiness precedes celebration (Ezra 6:17). • The blood of this goat pointed ahead to the “better sacrifice” of Christ, whose blood cleanses the conscience in a way animal blood never could (Hebrews 9:12–14; 10:4). • By including a sin offering in a roster of grain, burnt, and fellowship offerings (Numbers 7:13–88), the passage reminds us that every act of worship must be grounded in atonement (1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21). summary Numbers 7:82 records “one male goat for a sin offering” to show that every tribe, every leader, and every act of worship needed cleansing. The single male goat met God’s requirement for atonement, previewed the Day of Atonement pattern, and foreshadowed the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. |
    |