Definition: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 7:21 together. It’s a pretty fascinating and symbolic passage about sacrifice! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, this verse describes a ritual sacrifice – specifically, a burning offering. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “One young bullock…” - This refers to a young male cow. Cows were very important in ancient Israelite religion and were seen as symbols of fertility and prosperity. “…one ram…” - A ram is a large, wild animal, often associated with God’s protection and strength. “…one lamb of the first year…” – A lamb is a young sheep, typically about six months old. It's considered pure and innocent. “For a burnt offering:” - This is the key part! It means that this animal was to be sacrificed as a burnt offering . What does “burnt offering” mean? It wasn’t just any offering. It was a ritual sacrifice where the animal was completely burned. The idea was to offer something pure and innocent – a representation of God's own offering to Him - to cleanse away impurity and draw closer to him. It was a way to ask for forgiveness and a new beginning. Why was this done? This practice occurred during times when the Israelites were facing challenges, possibly related to their relationship with God or a specific issue. Offering a burnt sacrifice was a way to acknowledge a broken relationship and seek His forgiveness and guidance. It was believed that by offering this sacrifice, they would be presented to God as a pure and obedient people. Important Note: It’s important to remember that this practice wasn't just about the animal itself – it was deeply symbolic. The act of burning the animal represented a complete surrender of something impure and a commitment to God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this passage in more detail? Tell you about how this practice was used in ancient Israel?