Definition: All the oxen for the burnt offering [were] twelve bullocks, the rams twelve, the lambs of the first year twelve, with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Numbers 7:87 together. It’s a really important passage about how offerings were made during the Israelites’ time in Egypt. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a specific type of offering – a sacrifice – that was made to God during a period of intense worship and purification. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “All the oxen for the burnt offering [were] twelve bullocks, the rams twelve…” This tells us there were twelve oxen (large cattle) participating in the offering. The word “bullocks” refers to a specific type of animal – large, strong cattle often used in sacrificial offerings. "The rams" is a symbolic reference to a specific type of animal – perhaps representing the Israelites’ nation and its strength. “…with their meat offering: and the kids of the goats for sin offering twelve.” This is where it gets more detailed. “Meat offering”: This means they were providing a large quantity of meat as part of the overall offering. “The kids of the goats for sin offering twelve”: This is crucial . It signifies that they were also offering a significant amount of goat meat – representing the Israelites’ need to be cleansed and purified from their sins. The “sin offering” is a direct reference to the covenant between God and Israel, which required constant atonement for broken promises. Overall Meaning & Context: This verse describes a ritualistic sacrifice where twelve oxen (representing the nation) were offered, alongside a large amount of goat meat (representing sin and purification). It’s part of a larger pattern of sacrifices in ancient Jewish tradition – a way to show devotion and seek God's forgiveness. It highlights the importance of offering as a vital part of the religious experience. Why is this important? This story shows that even during times of great hardship, faith and worship were central to life. It demonstrates that God was willing to offer something significant – meat and goats – as a way to bring about renewal and restoration for his people. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with more detail? Connect it to a particular aspect of Jewish tradition (like the Ten Commandments)? Give you an analogy to help understand the concept?