Numbers 28:10

KJV

[This is] the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

This is the burnt offering {H5930} of every sabbath {H7676}, beside the continual {H8548} burnt offering {H5930}, and his drink offering {H5262}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the burnt offering for every Shabbat, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

Berean Standard Bible

This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

American Standard Version

this is the burnt-offering of every sabbath, besides the continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:10 meticulously details the specific burnt offering required on the Sabbath day, an additional sacrifice mandated by God for Israel's weekly worship. This command, alongside the daily "continual burnt offering" and its associated drink offering, underscores the divine expectation for consistent, prescribed worship and highlights the unique sanctity of the Sabbath within the Mosaic covenant, setting it apart as a holy time dedicated to the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 28:10 is situated within a lengthy and detailed section of the book (chapters 28-29) that outlines the precise regulations for various public offerings and sacrifices. This particular verse falls under the category of weekly offerings, following the instructions for daily sacrifices (Numbers 28:3-8) and preceding the monthly (Numbers 28:11-15) and annual festival offerings (Numbers 28:16-31). The meticulous enumeration of these rituals emphasizes the structured, divinely ordained system of worship that was central to Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. The repetition and specificity throughout these chapters underscore the non-negotiable nature of God's commands regarding how His people were to approach Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Numbers records Israel's journey through the wilderness, a period of transition and formation following their exodus from Egypt. These detailed sacrificial laws were given to a nomadic people, preparing them for a settled life in the Promised Land and establishing a stable, predictable system of worship centered on the Tabernacle. The Sabbath, rooted in the creation account ([Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")) and reinforced as a sign of the covenant at Sinai ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment")), was a cornerstone of Israelite identity. The offerings themselves, including the burnt offering and drink offering, were common ancient Near Eastern practices, but in Israel, they were uniquely consecrated to Yahweh alone, serving as a means of atonement, dedication, and communion within the framework of the Mosaic covenant.
* **Key Themes:** The requirement for a specific offering on the Sabbath powerfully highlights **the sanctity of the Sabbath** itself. It was not merely a day of physical rest but a consecrated time for intensified worship and a profound recognition of God's holiness and provision, reinforcing the command to "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" ([Exodus 20:8](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8 - The Fourth Commandment")). This verse also speaks to the theme of **regular and prescribed worship**, demonstrating God's desire for consistent, orderly, and intentional devotion from His people. The combination of the daily "continual burnt offering" ([Numbers 28:3](/numbers/28-3 "Numbers 28:3 - The Daily Burnt Offering")) and the additional Sabbath offering underscored the importance of both daily faithfulness and special recognition of sacred times. Furthermore, the act of offering these sacrifices served as a constant reminder of **covenant fidelity**, emphasizing Israel's dependence on God and the ongoing need for purification and dedication to maintain their relationship with Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **burnt offering (Hebrew, _‘ōlāh_):** This term literally means "that which goes up" or "ascends," referring to the smoke of the consumed sacrifice rising to God. The _‘ōlāh_ was unique among sacrifices because the entire animal (except for the hide, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication, consecration, and atonement for sin. It represented a worshiper's total surrender and devotion to God.
* **continual (Hebrew, _tāmîd_):** This adverb emphasizes the regular, perpetual, and unceasing nature of the daily burnt offerings. Performed morning and evening, the _tāmîd_ offering was a constant act of worship and covenant maintenance, signifying Israel's uninterrupted relationship with God and His continuous presence among them.
* **drink offering (Hebrew, _nesek_):** Often consisting of wine, a _nesek_ was typically poured out at the base of the altar as an accompaniment to other offerings, such as the burnt offering or grain offering. It was an act of devotion, a libation that completed the sacrificial ritual, signifying joy, communion, and a complete offering to the Lord.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[This is] the burnt offering of every sabbath":** This clause introduces a specific, additional burnt offering mandated for the Sabbath day. Unlike the daily offerings, this was a special provision, underscoring the unique sanctity and heightened spiritual significance of the Sabbath within Israelite worship. It was a time for intensified devotion and a distinct acknowledgment of God's holiness.
* **"beside the continual burnt offering":** This crucial phrase clarifies that the Sabbath offering was not a replacement for the daily morning and evening sacrifices but was to be presented *in addition* to them. This emphasizes the cumulative nature of worship on the Sabbath, where the regular, ongoing devotion was supplemented by an extra act of consecration, further elevating the day's spiritual importance.
* **"and his drink offering":** This specifies that the Sabbath burnt offering, like other significant sacrifices, was to be accompanied by a drink offering. The inclusion of the _nesek_ indicates a complete and proper act of worship, signifying a full measure of devotion and communion offered to God, reinforcing the solemnity and totality of the Sabbath ritual.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in Numbers 28-29, including verse 10, is characterized by **Exposition** and **Instruction**, providing clear, unambiguous, and highly detailed commands for ritual practice. The extensive **Repetition** of sacrificial types and their accompanying elements throughout these chapters serves to emphasize the importance, precision, and non-negotiable nature of God's requirements for worship. This meticulousness underscores the divine order and holiness expected in approaching God. Furthermore, the various offerings employ profound **Symbolism**: the burnt offering (**_‘ōlāh_**) symbolizes complete dedication and atonement, as the entire offering ascends to God; the drink offering (**_nesek_**) represents devotion and communion; and the Sabbath itself is symbolic of divine rest, covenant relationship, and a consecrated time set apart for the Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:10, with its detailed prescriptions for Sabbath worship, reveals profound truths about God's nature and His relationship with humanity. It underscores that God is holy and demands a reverent, intentional approach from His people. The meticulousness of the sacrificial system taught Israel about the seriousness of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the importance of complete dedication. The Sabbath offering, in particular, highlighted that true rest is found not merely in cessation from labor but in consecrated worship and communion with the Creator. These rituals, while specific to the Old Covenant, pointed forward to the ultimate and perfect sacrifice that would fully reconcile humanity to God.

* [Leviticus 23:37-38](/leviticus/23-37 "Leviticus 23:37-38 - Summary of Offerings")
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")
* [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient command in Numbers 28:10, though rooted in a specific covenantal context, resonates deeply with timeless principles for our spiritual lives today. It challenges us to consider the intentionality and consistency of our worship. Just as Israel had both daily and special Sabbath offerings, we are called to a lifestyle of continuous devotion—a "continual burnt offering" of our lives—while also setting aside specific, consecrated times for deeper communion with God. This might involve dedicated time for prayer, scripture study, corporate worship, or simply quiet reflection where we intentionally "rest" in God's presence and offer Him our undivided attention. The meticulousness of the Old Testament rituals serves as a powerful reminder that our worship should not be haphazard or an afterthought, but a deliberate and cherished act of love and reverence for our holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulousness of Old Testament worship, as seen in Numbers 28:10, challenge my approach to personal and corporate devotion today?**
* **In what practical ways can I "sanctify" specific times or days in my week to honor God more deeply, beyond my regular spiritual disciplines?**
* **How does understanding the Old Testament sacrifices and their specific requirements deepen my appreciation for Christ's finished work on the cross?**

### FAQ
**Why were so many detailed sacrifices required in the Old Testament?**

Answer: The detailed sacrificial system, as seen in Numbers 28-29, served multiple critical purposes within the Old Covenant. First, it provided a divinely ordained means for atonement, allowing sinful people to approach a holy God. Each sacrifice, particularly the burnt offering, symbolized the transfer of sin and the need for a substitute. Second, it taught Israel about the seriousness of sin and the cost of rebellion against God. Third, it served as a constant reminder of God's holiness and His desire for a relationship with His people, even in their fallen state. Finally, these rituals were pedagogical, pointing forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which would fulfill and supersede all these temporary provisions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:10, with its emphasis on the Sabbath burnt offering, finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "burnt offering" (Hebrew, _‘ōlāh_), symbolizing complete dedication and atonement, is perfectly embodied in Christ, who "offered himself without blemish to God" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices, which had to be offered continually because they could not truly take away sins ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow")), Jesus' single, perfect sacrifice on the cross was "once for all" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")), rendering all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete. Furthermore, the Sabbath itself, which the offering in Numbers 28:10 intensified, finds its true spiritual rest in Christ. He declared, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus Offers Rest")). We no longer need to observe a ritualistic Sabbath or offer animal sacrifices, because Christ is our ultimate Sabbath rest and the perfect, complete offering for our sins. Our worship now is a spiritual offering, presenting our bodies "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), in light of His finished work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.