Numbers chapter 28 details the Lord's commands to Moses regarding the various offerings to be presented by the children of Israel. It outlines the daily continual burnt offering, as well as additional sacrifices for the Sabbath days and the beginnings of each month. The chapter also specifies the offerings required for the annual feasts of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Firstfruits.
Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My oblation, my food for my offerings made by fire, of a sweet savor unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.
And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto Jehovah: he-lambs a year old without blemish, two day by day, for a continual burnt-offering.
And the drink-offering thereof shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou pour out a drink-offering of strong drink unto Jehovah.
And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meal-offering of the morning, and as the drink-offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah.
And on the sabbath day two he-lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, and the drink-offering thereof:
And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt-offering unto Jehovah: two young bullocks, and one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish;
and three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for each bullock; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for the one ram;
and a tenth part of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering unto every lamb; for a burnt-offering of a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.
And their drink-offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bullock, and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb: this is the burnt-offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
but ye shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt-offering unto Jehovah: two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven he-lambs a year old; they shall be unto you without blemish;
After this manner ye shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah: it shall be offered besides the continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof.
Also in the day of the first-fruits, when ye offer a new meal-offering unto Jehovah in your feast of weeks, ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work;
Besides the continual burnt-offering, and the meal-offering thereof, ye shall offer them (they shall be unto you without blemish), and their drink-offerings.
Study Notes for Numbers 28
Verse 2
This introduction emphasizes that the sacrifices belong to God and are essential for maintaining the covenant relationship. The phrase 'sweet savour' denotes an offering acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.
Verse 3
The 'continual burnt offering' (Hebrew: *olat tamid*) was the foundational sacrifice, offered twice daily, symbolizing Israel's perpetual dedication and atonement before God.
Verse 5
The 'tenth part of an ephah' (often called a 'tenth deal') was the standard measurement for the grain offering (*minchah*) that accompanied the daily animal sacrifice.
Verse 7
Drink offerings (usually wine) were poured out in the Holy Place alongside the burnt offering. This addition completed the comprehensive nature of the daily sacrifice.
Verse 9
The Sabbath required double the daily burnt offering. This ensured that rest from physical labor did not mean a reduction in communal worship.
Verse 11
The New Moon festival (*Rosh Chodesh*) marked the beginning of each month and was a significant national observance, requiring a substantial increase in animal sacrifices.
Verse 15
A specific sin offering (a male goat) was required monthly, demonstrating the need for regular expiation of communal sin, even during times of festive worship.
Verse 16
This section begins the detailed schedule for the annual pilgrimage festivals, starting with Passover (on the 14th) and the subsequent Feast of Unleavened Bread (beginning on the 15th).
Verse 18
'Holy convocation' designated a day of mandatory assembly and required rest, where only necessary food preparation was permitted (Exod. 12:16).
Verse 22
The sin offering was necessary to purify the people and the sanctuary, ensuring that the entire seven-day feast was celebrated in a state of ritual cleanliness and atonement.
Verse 23
This verse clarifies a recurring principle: all festival sacrifices were *in addition to* (not replacements for) the regular daily continual burnt offering.
Verse 26
The Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), occurring seven weeks after Passover, celebrated the wheat harvest and the offering of new grain, hence its designation as the 'day of the firstfruits.'
Verse 31
The requirement that all animals be 'without blemish' applied universally to sacrifices, symbolizing the need for perfection and purity in approaching a holy God.
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