What Does Numbers 7:39 Mean in the King James?

One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:

Numbers 7:39 · KJV

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 Hebrew name for the burnt offering means “that which rises,” giving this exact count of animals a direction: upward.

THE MEANING

The verse names the offering in exact particulars: one young bull, one ram, and one yearling lamb. The Hebrew word for “burnt offering” carries the image of ascent, so the offering is described by what rises from the altar.

THE ROOT

עֹלָה

ʿolah

GROWS FROM

עלה

ʿ-l-h

To ascend, go up.

“burnt offering” in this verse is ʿolah. ⁨עֹלָה⁩ (ʿolah) names the offering through its rising. The English phrase emphasizes what happens to it by fire; the Hebrew word also gives the offering a direction: upward.

ALSO GROWS

ʿālāh: To go up, ascend.

עָלָה

This verb makes the movement inside ⁨עֹלָה⁩ explicit: the offering is named with the language of rising.

ʿaliyyāh: Ascent, going up.

עֲלִיָּה

This noun preserves the root’s sense of upward movement, showing the shared image carried by ⁨עֹלָה⁩.

THE PATTERN

An offering is pictured as rising toward God, whether it comes from an altar or from a life presented.

And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Genesis 8:20 · KJVThe burnt offerings are ⁨עֹלוֹת⁩ (ʿolot, offerings of ascent), making the altar a place where what is offered rises.

And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Exodus 29:18 · KJVThe whole ram is presented as a burnt offering, the same ascent offering named in Numbers.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1 · KJVThe image of an offering presented to God continues as a living sacrifice.

THE THREAD

And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Genesis 8:20 · KJV

Genesis names the same ⁨עֹלָה⁩ (ʿolah, ascent offering) found in Numbers. Numbers counts the animals; Genesis makes the altar image visible, with the offering rising there.

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