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 tell them, ‘See that you present my offering, my food for my offerings made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to me, in their due season.’
You shall tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to the LORD: male lambs a year old without defect, two day by day, for a continual burnt offering.
Its drink offering shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb. You shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to the LORD in the holy place.
The other lamb you shall offer at evening. As the meal offering of the morning, and as its drink offering, you shall offer it, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to the LORD.
“‘On the Sabbath day, two male lambs a year old without defect, and two tenth parts of an efah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, and its drink offering:
“‘In the beginnings of your months, you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD: two young bulls, and one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect;
and three tenth parts of an efah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for each bull; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for the one ram;
and a tenth part of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering to every lamb; for a burnt offering of a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, 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 you shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt offering to the LORD: two young bulls, and one ram, and seven male lambs a year old; they shall be to you without defect;
In this way you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to the LORD. It shall be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering, and its drink offering.
“‘Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to the LORD in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work;
Besides the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, you shall offer them and their drink offerings. See that they are without defect.
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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