Numbers 7:46
one male goat for a sin offering;
one male goat for a sin offering;

The leader’s offering included atonement alongside the burnt offering, grain offering, and peace offerings, showing that access to God’s altar required cleansing from sin and defilement. Leviticus prescribed a male goat for the sin offering of a ruler who had sinned unintentionally (Leviticus 4:22–26). Though the altar dedication was a joyful national occasion, Israel’s leaders approached the holy God with the recognition that forgiveness and purification were necessary.

Num 28:15 In addition to the regular burnt offering, one male goat…
Num 29:5 Include one male goat as a sin offering…
Num 15:24 and if it was done unintentionally…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The people of God who are receiving instructions for offerings and worship practices.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is overseeing the dedication of the altar and the offerings brought by the leaders of the tribes.

3. The Tabernacle
The dwelling place of God among His people, where the offerings are being made.

4. The Leaders of the Tribes
Representatives from each tribe of Israel who bring offerings for the dedication of the altar.

5. The Male Goat
The animal specified for the sin offering, symbolizing atonement and purification.
Teaching Points
The Necessity of Atonement
The sin offering underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. It reminds us that sin separates us from God, and reconciliation requires a sacrifice.

Symbolism of the Male Goat
The male goat as a sin offering symbolizes substitutionary atonement. It points forward to Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

The Role of Leaders in Worship
The leaders of the tribes bringing offerings highlight the importance of leadership in guiding others in worship and obedience to God.

The Holiness of God
The detailed instructions for offerings reflect God's holiness and the need for His people to approach Him with reverence and purity.

Christ as Our Sin Offering
In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as the fulfillment of the sin offering, providing a once-for-all sacrifice that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of a sin offering in Numbers 7:46 help us understand the seriousness of sin in our own lives?

2. In what ways does the role of the leaders in bringing offerings apply to spiritual leadership today?

3. How can we see the foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice in the Old Testament sin offerings?

4. What does the requirement of a male goat for a sin offering teach us about God's expectations for purity and holiness?

5. How can we apply the principles of confession and atonement in our daily walk with God, as seen in 1 John 1:9?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 4
Provides detailed instructions on sin offerings, emphasizing the need for atonement and the role of the priest in making intercession for the people.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the limitations of Old Testament sacrifices and points to Christ as the ultimate sin offering, fulfilling the law and providing eternal redemption.

1 John 1:9
Highlights the ongoing need for confession and the assurance of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our ultimate sin offering.
The Free-Will Offering of the PrincesE.S. Prout Numbers 7:1-88
The Princes and Their Princely OfferingW. Binnie Numbers 7:1-89
Communion with GodNumbers 7:10-89
Communion with GodNumbers 7:10-89
Indications of the IncarnationHenry, MatthewNumbers 7:10-89
Rich Givers and Rich GiftsHenry, MatthewNumbers 7:10-89
Such as have Greatest Blessings and GiftsW. Attersoll.Numbers 7:10-89
The Condescension of God, and the Privileges of ManW. Jones.Numbers 7:10-89
The Ear of the HeartNumbers 7:10-89
The Princes' Offerings for the Dedication of the AltarW. Jones.Numbers 7:10-89
The Speech of the Divine SpiritProfessor Gess.Numbers 7:10-89
The Support of Religious InstitutionsD. Lloyd.Numbers 7:10-89
People
Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gershon, Gershonites, Gideoni, Helon, Issachar, Ithamar, Kohath, Levites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai
Places
Sinai
Topics
Buck, Goat, Goats, Kid, Male, Offering, Sin, Sin-offering
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 7:29

     7364   fellowship offering

Numbers 7:28-29

     4651   goat

Library
Separation and Service.
Numbers vi, vii. INTRODUCTORY. For many years these chapters had no special interest to me; but I have never ceased to be thankful that I was early led to read the Word of GOD in regular course: it was through this habit that these chapters first became specially precious to me. I was travelling on a missionary tour in the province of CHEH-KIANG, and had to pass the night in a very wicked town. All the inns were dreadful places; and the people seemed to have their consciences seared, and their hearts
James Hudson Taylor—Separation and Service

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
In this wonderful prayer, our Lord, as our great High Priest, appears to enter upon that perpetual office of intercession which he is now exercising at the right hand of the Father. Our Lord ever seemed, in the eagerness of his love, to be anticipating his work. Before he was set apart for his life-work, by the descent of the Holy Ghost upon him, he must needs be about his Father's business; before he finally suffered at the hands of cruel men, he had a baptism to be baptized with, and he was straitened
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Prophecy.
PROPHECY. Isaiah iii. 13; liii. "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: so shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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