What Does Numbers 15:8 Mean in the King James?
And when thou preparest a bullock for a burnt offering, or for a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings unto the LORD:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The “peace offering” is named from the root for wholeness, so what is brought to the LORD already carries the shape of completion.
THE MEANING
The verse names three forms of what is brought to the LORD: an ascending gift, a sacrifice tied to a vow, and an offering of wholeness. The vow makes commitment tangible, while *shelamim* carries the language of being whole and complete. Here, devotion and wholeness meet in what is offered.
THE ROOT
שְׁלָמִים
shelamim
GROWS FROM
ש־ל־ם
sh-l-m
To be whole, complete, or intact.
“peace offerings” in this verse is shelamim. English “peace” can sound like quiet after conflict, but *shelamim* shares its root with words for wholeness and completeness. The offering’s name carries that sense of wholeness, not merely the absence of disturbance.
ALSO GROWS
shalom: Wholeness; peace.
שָׁלוֹם
This familiar word shares the root, linking the offering to wholeness as well as peace.
shalem: Whole, complete, intact.
שָׁלֵם
This branch makes explicit the completeness held within the name *shelamim*.
עֹלָה
olah
GROWS FROM
ע־ל־ה
ʿ-l-h
To go up or ascend.
“Burnt offering” names the rite’s fire, while *olah* also carries the motion of rising. The verse places that ascending gift beside a vow sacrifice and an offering named for wholeness.
ALSO GROWS
ʿalah: To go up, ascend.
עָלָה
This verb gives the offering its sense of upward movement.
aliyah: Ascent; going up.
עֲלִיָּה
This related noun keeps the root’s movement of ascent visible in the word *olah*.
THE PATTERN
What is brought to God gives visible form to devotion through vows, thanksgiving, or praise.
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.THE THREAD
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.The Hebrew word translated “peace” here is *shalom*, from the same ש־ל־ם (sh-l-m) root as *shelamim* in Numbers. The Psalm’s peace and the offering’s name share a language of wholeness.
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