Numbers 28:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

In the first day [shall be] an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work [therein]:

Complete Jewish Bible:

The first day is to be a holy convocation: do not do any kind of ordinary work;

Berean Standard Bible:

On the first day there is to be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.

American Standard Version:

In the first day shall be a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

In the first^{H7223} day^{H3117} shall be an holy^{H6944} convocation^{H4744}; ye shall do^{H6213} no manner of servile^{H5656} work^{H4399} therein:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 28:18

Numbers 28:18 is part of a larger section in the Book of Numbers that outlines the various offerings and observances for the Israelites. The verse itself is embedded within the instructions for the sacrifices and celebrations during the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which occurs in the first month of the Israelite religious calendar, corresponding to the month of Nisan in the spring.

The historical context of this verse is the period after the Exodus from Egypt, when the Israelites are receiving the Law from God through Moses. This particular verse addresses the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also the day after the Passover sacrifice. The theme here is the sanctity of time and the importance of setting aside days for worship and reflection. The command for a "holy convocation" signifies a sacred assembly, where the people of Israel are to gather for worship and to refrain from "servile work," meaning ordinary labor or work that is not of a sacred nature.

The prohibition of work on this day underscores the idea that these festival days are distinct from regular days, emphasizing rest and focus on the divine. It is a time for the community to come together, remember their identity as the people of God, and commemorate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as symbolized by the Passover and the subsequent week-long Festival of Unleavened Bread. This observance serves to reinforce the religious and cultural foundations of the Israelite community, connecting them to their past and to their covenant with God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7223
   There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רִאשׁוֹן
   Transliteration: riʼshôwn
   Pronunciation: ree-shone'
   Description: or רִאשֹׁן; from רִאשָׁה; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun); ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6944
   There are 382 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֹדֶשׁ
   Transliteration: qôdesh
   Pronunciation: ko'-desh
   Description: from קָדַשׁ; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity; consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4744
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִקְרָא
   Transliteration: miqrâʼ
   Pronunciation: mik-raw'
   Description: from קָרָא; something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal; assembly, calling, convocation, reading.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5656
   There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֲבֹדָה
   Transliteration: ʻăbôdâh
   Pronunciation: ab-o-daw'
   Description: or עֲבוֹדָה; from עָבַד; work of any kind; act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4399
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְלָאכָה
   Transliteration: mᵉlâʼkâh
   Pronunciation: mel-aw-kaw'
   Description: from the same as מֲלְאָךְ; properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor); business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship).