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 offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour 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 the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering.
And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering.
And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
¶ And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;
And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.
And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish:
After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (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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