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 7:81 together. It’s a really important and somewhat surprising passage about sacrifice in ancient Israel. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a ritual sacrifice – a burning offering – made to God. The key is that the animal is new – it hasn’t been used before. It’s being offered as a pure, unblemished gift. Let's look at the details: “One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year” : This means we're talking about an animal that is new . It hasn’t been used before for sacrifice. These animals were specifically chosen to be offered as a pure gift to God. “…for a burnt offering:” This is the crucial part. “Burnt offering” refers to a sacrifice where the animal is deliberately burned, symbolizing a desire for atonement and purification. What’s the Significance? This verse highlights several important points about ancient Jewish religious practice: Purification: The act of sacrificing a new animal was seen as a way to cleanse something – perhaps an offering, or even an entire community – of impurity. It was believed that burning the animal would make it pure again. Focus on God’s Glory: The act of sacrifice itself wasn't just about appeasing a god; it was about demonstrating devotion and reverence. It was a way to show that we were offering our best, most precious gifts to God. Symbolic Meaning: In ancient times, animals held symbolic importance. A new animal represented a fresh start, innocence, and purity – all things valued by the Israelites. In short, this verse tells us that when an animal was offered as a burnt offering, it symbolized a heartfelt desire for purification and connection with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Numbers 7:81? Discuss the reason behind this practice in ancient Israel? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or themes?