◄ Numbers 15:8 ►
When you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering or sacrifice to fulfill a vow or as a peace offering to the LORD,
Study Bible
When you prepare
The Hebrew root for "prepare" is עָשָׂה (asah), which means to do, make, or accomplish. This word emphasizes intentionality and care in the preparation of offerings. In the context of worship, it signifies the importance of approaching God with deliberate and thoughtful actions, reflecting a heart that seeks to honor Him fully.

a young bull
The young bull, or "par" in Hebrew, was considered a valuable and significant offering. Bulls were symbols of strength and wealth, and offering a young bull represented a substantial sacrifice. This act of giving something of great value underscores the worshiper's devotion and the seriousness of their commitment to God.

as a burnt offering
The term "burnt offering" comes from the Hebrew word עֹלָה (olah), meaning "that which goes up" or "ascent." This offering was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing the complete surrender and dedication of the worshiper to God. It reflects the idea of giving oneself wholly to the Lord, holding nothing back.

or sacrifice
The Hebrew word for "sacrifice" is זֶבַח (zevach), which refers to offerings made to God. Sacrifices were central to Israelite worship, serving as a means of atonement, thanksgiving, and communion with God. This practice foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself for the sins of humanity.

to fulfill a vow
A vow, or נֶדֶר (neder) in Hebrew, was a solemn promise made to God. Fulfilling a vow was a serious matter, reflecting the integrity and faithfulness of the worshiper. It highlights the importance of keeping one's promises to God, demonstrating trust and reliance on His faithfulness.

or as a peace offering
The peace offering, or שֶׁלֶם (shelem), was a voluntary act of worship expressing gratitude and fellowship with God. Unlike the burnt offering, only part of the peace offering was burned, with the rest shared among the priests and the offerer. This offering symbolizes reconciliation and communion with God, celebrating the peace and relationship between the worshiper and the Creator.

to the LORD
The name "LORD" is translated from the Hebrew יהוה (YHWH), the sacred and covenantal name of God. It signifies His eternal, self-existent nature and His personal relationship with His people. Offering sacrifices to the LORD acknowledges His sovereignty, holiness, and the covenant relationship He established with Israel. It reminds believers of the privilege and responsibility of worshiping the one true God, who is worthy of all honor and praise.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws and commandments from God, including the instructions in Numbers 15.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were given these laws to follow as part of their covenant relationship with Him.

3. Young Bull
An animal used in sacrificial offerings, symbolizing strength and value, and representing a significant offering to God.

4. Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice that was completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God.

5. Peace Offering
A sacrifice made to express gratitude and fellowship with God, often shared in a communal meal.
Teaching Points
Understanding Sacrifice
The young bull as a burnt offering represents a significant sacrifice, indicating the importance of giving our best to God. In our lives, this means prioritizing our time, resources, and talents for His glory.

Fulfillment of Vows
The passage highlights the importance of fulfilling vows made to God. In a modern context, this teaches us to be people of integrity, keeping our promises and commitments, especially those made to God.

Peace with God
The peace offering symbolizes reconciliation and fellowship with God. As Christians, we are called to live in peace with God and others, fostering relationships that reflect His love and grace.

Symbolism of the Bull
The choice of a young bull, a valuable and strong animal, signifies the depth of commitment required in our relationship with God. We are encouraged to offer our best, not leftovers, in our spiritual walk.

Christ as the Ultimate Sacrifice
While the Old Testament sacrifices were a shadow of things to come, they point us to Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of all sacrifices. This understanding should deepen our appreciation for His atoning work on the cross.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the use of a young bull in the sacrificial system teach us about the nature of offerings we should bring to God today?

2. How can we apply the principle of fulfilling vows to our daily commitments and promises?

3. In what ways can we offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" in our current context, as encouraged in Romans 12:1?

4. How does understanding the peace offering enhance our relationship with God and others?

5. How does the sacrificial system in the Old Testament help us appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as described in Hebrews 10?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 1
Provides detailed instructions on how burnt offerings should be conducted, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice in worship.

Hebrews 10
Discusses the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, connecting Old Testament sacrifices to the New Covenant.

Romans 12:1
Encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the concept of total dedication seen in burnt offerings.
Sermons
God Giving Laws for the Distant FutureD. Young Numbers 15:1-16
People
Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Egypt, Wilderness of Paran
Topics
Accomplish, Bull, Bullock, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Clearly, Effecting, Fellowship, Fulfil, Fulfill, Fulfilment, Herd, Makest, Oath, Offerest, Offering, Offerings, Ox, Peace, Peace-offering, Peace-offerings, Performance, Performing, Prepare, Preparest, Ready, Sacrifice, Separating, Special, Uttered, Vow, When
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 15:8

     7364   fellowship offering

Numbers 15:1-10

     7368   grain offering

Numbers 15:1-12

     1680   types
     4456   grain

Numbers 15:4-9

     5616   measures, dry

Numbers 15:4-10

     5617   measures, liquid

Numbers 15:8-9

     7368   grain offering

Numbers 15:8-10

     5741   vows

Library
List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

We are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

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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