Numbers 28:11

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And in the beginnings {H7218} of your months {H2320} ye shall offer {H7126} a burnt offering {H5930} unto the LORD {H3068}; two {H8147} young {H1241} bullocks {H6499}, and one {H259} ram {H352}, seven {H7651} lambs {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141} without spot {H8549};

Complete Jewish Bible

"'At each Rosh-Hodesh of yours, you are to present a burnt offering to ADONAI consisting of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs in their first year and without defect;

Berean Standard Bible

At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:11 details the specific sacrificial requirements for the New Moon festival, a significant monthly observance in the Israelite calendar. This verse mandates a burnt offering to the Lord consisting of two young bullocks, one ram, and seven unblemished lambs from their first year. It underscores God's meticulous instructions for worship, emphasizing precision, dedication, and the pursuit of ceremonial purity within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 28:11 is situated within a comprehensive section of the Book of Numbers (chapters 28-29) that outlines the calendar of annual, monthly, and daily sacrifices required of the Israelite community. Following the census and the organization of the tribes for their wilderness journey, these chapters serve to establish the structured liturgical life of the nation. This detailed prescriptive legislation ensures order and continuity in worship, preparing the people for their life in the Promised Land by reiterating and expanding upon earlier sacrificial laws found in [Exodus](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - Daily Sacrifices") and [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering"). The meticulous nature of these commands highlights God's desire for an ordered and devoted relationship with His people, providing a framework for their covenant fidelity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers 28:11 were given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, a period of formation for the nation. The "beginnings of your months" refers to the New Moon (Hebrew: *Rosh Chodesh*) festival, a significant occasion in the ancient Near East and particularly for Israel. Marking the appearance of the new crescent moon, this day was observed with special sacrifices, the blowing of trumpets ([Numbers 10:10](/numbers/10-10 "Numbers 10:10 - Trumpets for Festivals")), and often a cessation of work, indicating its importance as a sacred day. It served as a regular reminder of God's sovereignty over time and creation, anchoring the Israelites' nomadic existence within a divine calendar and rhythm of worship. These detailed regulations provided a stable framework for their spiritual life amidst physical uncertainty.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 28:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Order**, demonstrating God's meticulous control over every aspect of Israelite life, including their worship calendar. The specificity of the offerings reflects His demand for an ordered and precise devotion. Secondly, the verse highlights **Obedience and Covenant Fidelity**, as the Israelites were called to strictly adhere to these divine commands as a sign of their faithfulness to the covenant established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Covenant at Sinai"). Thirdly, the concept of **Atonement and Dedication** is central to the burnt offering, which symbolized complete surrender and dedication to God, serving as a means of seeking divine favor and expiation for unintentional sins, as seen in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws for the Burnt Offering"). Finally, the requirement for animals "without spot" foreshadows the theme of **Perfection of Sacrifice**, pointing to the ultimate, unblemished sacrifice necessary for true and lasting reconciliation with God, a concept profoundly developed in the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _‘olah_):** This term refers to a sacrifice that was entirely consumed by fire upon the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. Unlike other offerings where portions were eaten by priests or worshippers, the *‘olah* symbolized complete dedication and consecration to the Lord, signifying the worshiper's total surrender and devotion. It was often offered for general atonement for sin and to express devotion.
* **Beginnings of your months (Hebrew, _rosh chodesh_):** Literally "head of the month," this phrase designates the New Moon festival. This was a significant monthly observance, marking the start of each new month in the Israelite lunar calendar. It was a time for special sacrifices and often a cessation of ordinary labor, emphasizing its sacred status as a regular point of renewal and remembrance of God's covenant.
* **Without spot (Hebrew, _tamim_):** This crucial adjective means "whole," "complete," "sound," "perfect," or "blameless." It was a strict requirement for all sacrificial animals, ensuring that only the best, unblemished offerings were presented to a holy God. This physical perfection symbolized the moral and spiritual purity required for approaching God, foreshadowing the ultimate perfect sacrifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD":** This clause establishes the timing and purpose of the sacrifice. The "beginnings of your months" (New Moon) indicates a regular, monthly rhythm of worship. The offering is specifically "unto the LORD," emphasizing that it is an act of devotion and obedience directed solely to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision. The "burnt offering" signifies complete dedication.
* **"two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year":** This specifies the precise quantity and type of animals required for the New Moon burnt offering. The exact numbers and species (bullocks, ram, lambs) are divinely prescribed, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to God's commands and the meticulous nature of Israelite worship. This detailed instruction ensures uniformity and intentionality in their sacrifices.
* **"without spot":** This final phrase sets the quality standard for all the animals. "Without spot" means physically unblemished, perfect, and healthy. This requirement underscores the sanctity of the offering and the holiness of God, demanding that only the very best, representing purity and wholeness, be presented before Him. It also carries symbolic weight, pointing to the ideal nature of any sacrifice acceptable to God.

#### Literary Devices
The passage primarily employs **Precision** and **Symbolism**. The **Precision** is evident in the meticulous detailing of the sacrificial animals: "two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot." This exactitude underscores the divine origin of the commands and the importance of strict adherence in Israelite worship, leaving no room for human improvisation. It communicates God's demand for order and specific obedience. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is deeply embedded, particularly in the requirement for animals to be "without spot." This physical perfection is symbolic of the moral and spiritual purity required for approaching a holy God. The entire burnt offering itself is a powerful symbol of complete dedication, as the ascending smoke represents the worshiper's devotion rising to the heavens.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:11, with its detailed sacrificial instructions, reinforces the theological truth that worship is not arbitrary but divinely ordained. It highlights God's holiness and humanity's need for a prescribed means of approaching Him. The regular, unblemished offerings served as a constant reminder of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, their dependence on His provision, and the necessity of atonement for sin. This rhythmic worship cultivated a national consciousness of God's presence and their identity as His chosen people, emphasizing that access to God was always on His terms, through a system He Himself established. The very specificity of the commands underscored the seriousness of their relationship with a holy God.

* [Leviticus 23:24-25](/leviticus/23-24 "Leviticus 23:24-25 - Feast of Trumpets")
* [Psalm 81:3](/psalms/81-3 "Psalm 81:3 - New Moon Celebration")
* [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadows of the Future")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles of Numbers 28:11 offer profound lessons for believers today. The emphasis on consistent, intentional, and high-quality worship serves as a timeless call to prioritize our relationship with God. Just as the Israelites had a divinely appointed rhythm for their devotion, we are invited to cultivate disciplines of regular prayer, diligent Bible study, and faithful corporate worship, not out of legalistic obligation, but as an expression of love and gratitude for God's grace. The demand for "without spot" offerings challenges us to offer our best—our time, talents, resources, and unreserved hearts—to the Lord, recognizing that genuine worship involves presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). Our acceptance before God is not based on our imperfect offerings, but entirely on the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, yet our response to His grace should be one of wholehearted dedication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of God's commands in Numbers 28:11 inform your understanding of His character and His expectations for worship?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a more consistent and intentional rhythm of devotion in your daily life, mirroring the monthly observance of the New Moon festival?**
* **What does it mean for you to offer your "best" to God in your worship and service, rather than merely what is convenient or leftover?**
* **How does the concept of the "unblemished" sacrifice in the Old Testament deepen your appreciation for the perfection of Christ's sacrifice on the cross?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary significance of the New Moon festival in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The New Moon festival, or *Rosh Chodesh*, was a significant monthly observance in ancient Israel, marking the beginning of each new lunar month. Its primary significance was multifaceted: it served as a regular reminder of God's sovereignty over time and creation, anchoring the Israelite calendar and their rhythm of life in divine order. It was a time for special communal worship, marked by specific burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, as detailed in [Numbers 28:11-15](/numbers/28-11 "Numbers 28:11-15 - New Moon Offerings"). Trumpets were blown ([Numbers 10:10](/numbers/10-10 "Numbers 10:10 - Trumpets for Festivals")) to signal its arrival, and it was often a day when ordinary work ceased, and people sought instruction from prophets or engaged in spiritual fellowship ([2 Kings 4:23](/2_kings/4-23 "2 Kings 4:23 - Visiting the Prophet on New Moon")). It was a recurring opportunity for the community to renew their covenant commitment and acknowledge God's ongoing provision and faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:11, with its meticulous requirements for the New Moon burnt offering, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The repeated need for "young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot" pointed forward to the singular, perfect, and unblemished Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who alone could truly take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The Old Testament sacrifices, including those for the New Moon, were but shadows of the reality to come ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow")). Jesus, through His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, perfectly fulfilled the symbolic dedication and atonement represented by the burnt offering. His life was "without spot or blemish" ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ's Precious Blood")), making Him the only acceptable sacrifice to a holy God. Therefore, believers in Christ no longer need to observe monthly animal sacrifices, for His perfect work has secured eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")), ushering in a new covenant where access to God is direct, through the blood of His Son ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ")).

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.