Numbers 28:11

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 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};

"'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;

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,

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

Commentary on Numbers 28:11 (KJV)

Numbers 28:11 outlines a specific command given by God to the Israelites regarding their monthly worship. It details the precise animals required for the burnt offering to be presented "in the beginnings of your months," which refers to the New Moon festivals. This regular offering consisted of "two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot."

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in the Book of Numbers (chapters 28-29) that provides detailed instructions for various offerings and festivals throughout the Israelite calendar. Following the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, these regulations were essential for establishing and maintaining proper worship within the Israelite community during their wilderness journey and beyond. The detailed nature of these commands underscores God's desire for orderly and specific devotion from His people. The New Moon celebration was a significant event, marking the start of each new month and serving as a reminder of God's covenant and provision. The detailed regulations for these sacrifices are found throughout the books of Exodus and Leviticus, establishing a rhythm of worship.

Key Themes

  • Regular Worship and Remembrance: The monthly burnt offering emphasized the need for consistent and scheduled worship, ensuring that the Israelites continually acknowledged God's sovereignty and their dependence on Him.
  • Obedience to Divine Command: The specificity of the instructions (number and type of animals) highlighted the importance of strict obedience to God's revealed will.
  • Atonement and Dedication: The burnt offering (Hebrew: 'olah, meaning "that which goes up" or "ascends") was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication to God and serving as a means of atonement for unintentional sins, seeking divine favor and acceptance.
  • Perfection of Sacrifice: The requirement for animals to be "without spot" (Hebrew: tamim) signified physical and moral blamelessness. This foreshadowed the ultimate perfect sacrifice necessary for true and lasting atonement.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Burnt Offering" (Hebrew: 'olah): This term specifically refers to an offering that was completely consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. It was distinct from other sacrifices where portions were eaten by the priests or worshippers.
  • "Without Spot" (Hebrew: tamim): This crucial phrase denotes wholeness, perfection, soundness, or blamelessness. It was a strict requirement for all sacrificial animals, ensuring that only the best, unblemished offerings were presented to a holy God. This concept profoundly points to Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind Numbers 28:11 remain relevant for believers today:

  • Consistent Devotion: Just as the Israelites had a rhythm of monthly worship, believers are called to regular, intentional devotion to God, whether through personal prayer, Bible study, or corporate worship.
  • Offering Our Best: The demand for "without spot" animals encourages us to offer our best to God in all areas of our lives—our time, talents, resources, and hearts—not merely what is convenient or leftover.
  • Reliance on Christ's Perfect Sacrifice: The need for an unblemished sacrifice ultimately points to Jesus Christ. His perfect life and atoning death on the cross provide the complete and final sacrifice for sin, making animal sacrifices obsolete (Hebrews 10:10). Our acceptance before God is now based entirely on His perfect work.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 10:10

    Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Ezekiel 46:6

    And in the day of the new moon [it shall be] a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish.

  • 1 Chronicles 23:31

    And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:

  • Isaiah 1:13

    Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; [it is] iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

  • Isaiah 1:14

    Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear [them].

  • Hosea 2:11

    I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.

  • Ezra 3:5

    And afterward [offered] the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.
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