TRV
Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Numbers 28:9–15.
The new moons and the sabbaths are often spoken of together, as great solemnities in the Jewish church, very comfortable to the saints then, and typical of gospel grace. Now we have here the sacrifices appointed, 1. For the sabbaths. Every sabbath day the offering must be doubled; besides the two lambs offered for the daily burnt-offering, there must be two more offered, one (it is probable) added to the morning sacrifice, and the other to the evening, Num 28:9, Num 28:10. This teaches us to double our devotions on sabbath days, for so the duty of the day requires. The sabbath rest is to be observed, in order to a more close application to the sabbath work, which ought to fill up sabbath time. In Ezekiel's temple-service, which points at gospel times, the sabbath offerings were to be six lambs and a ram, with their meat-offerings, and drink-offerings (Eze 46:4, Eze 46:5), to intimate not only the continuance, but the advancement, of sabbath sanctification in the days of the Messiah. This is the burnt-offering of the sabbath in his sabbath, so it is in the original, v. 10. We must do every sabbath day's work in its day, studying to redeem every minute of sabbath time as those that believe it precious; and not thinking to put off one sabbath's work to another, for sufficient to every sabbath is the service thereof. 2. For the new moons. Some suggest that, as the sabbath was kept with an eye to the creation of the world, so the new moons were sanctified with an eye to the divine providence, which appoints the moon for seasons, guiding the revolutions of time by its changes, and governing sublunary bodies (as many think) by its influences. Though we observe not any feast of new moons, yet we must not forget to give God the glory of all the precious things put forth by the moon which he has established for ever, a faithful witness in heaven, Psa 89:37. The offerings in the new moons were very considerable, two bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs, with the meat-offerings and drink-offerings that were to attend them (Num 28:11, etc.), besides a sin-offering, Num 28:15. For, when we give glory to God by confessing his mercies, we must give glory to him likewise by confessing our own sins; and, when we rejoice in the gifts of common providence, we must make the sacrifice of Christ, that great gift of special grace, the fountain and spring-head of our joy. Some have questioned whether the new moons were to be reckoned among their feasts; but why should they not, when, besides the special sacrifices which were then to be offered, they rested from servile works (Amo 8:5), blew the trumpets (Num 10:10), and went to the prophets to hear the word? Kg2 4:23. And the worship performed in the new moons is made typical of gospel solemnities, Isa 66:23.
Continue studying Numbers 28:14 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Numbers 28:14 meticulously details the precise quantities of wine required for the drink offerings that were to accompany the monthly burnt offerings, also known as the New Moon sacrifices, within the elaborate Israelite sacrificial system. This verse, embedded within a larger liturgical calendar, specifies that half a hin of wine was to be offered with a bullock, a third of a hin with a ram, and a fourth of a hin with a lamb, thereby underscoring the divine demand for unwavering precision, regularity, and comprehensive dedication in Israel's covenant worship.
Context
Literary Context
Numbers 28:14 is strategically positioned within a highly prescriptive and detailed section of the Book of Numbers (chapters 28-29), which meticulously outlines the sacrificial calendar for the Israelite community. This segment follows the foundational instructions for the daily burnt offering found in Numbers 28:3-8 and the weekly Sabbath offering in Numbers 28:9-10. The narrative then transitions to the monthly New Moon offerings in Numbers 28:11-15, of which verse 14 is an integral part. The escalating complexity and specificity of God's commands—from daily to weekly, then monthly, and ultimately to annual feasts—highlight the comprehensive and non-negotiable nature of Israel's covenant obligations, emphasizing that every aspect of their worship life was divinely ordained.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) held significant religious and social importance, serving as a marker of time and a designated occasion for communal worship, often heralded by the blowing of trumpets as instructed in Numbers 10:10. Drink offerings, or libations, were a widespread feature of sacrificial worship throughout the ancient Near East, symbolizing an act of dedication, a complete pouring out, or a covenant ratification. Wine, a valuable agricultural commodity and a symbol of joy and blessing, was frequently employed for these offerings, signifying the giving of one's finest resources to God. The "hin" (H1969, hîyn) was a standard liquid measure, approximately 3.67 liters or 1 gallon, demonstrating the tangible, precise, and non-negotiable nature of these divine prescriptions in a culture where exact measurements for religious rituals were paramount to ensure ritual purity and divine acceptance.
Key Themes
Numbers 28:14 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the Pentateuch and particularly within the Book of Numbers. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Precision and Order in worship, revealing God's demand for meticulous adherence to His commands, leaving no room for human improvisation or negligence in sacred rituals. This exactitude reflects His holy character. Secondly, the phrase "every month throughout the months of the year" emphasizes Regularity and Covenant Fidelity, highlighting that worship was not an occasional or optional event but a consistent, rhythmic expression of Israel's ongoing covenant relationship with Yahweh, reinforcing their identity as a consecrated people living under His divine rule. Finally, the inclusion of the drink offering alongside the animal sacrifice points to the Completeness and Holistic Nature of Sacrifice, where the pouring out of wine symbolized a full dedication and surrender of resources, complementing the life offered in the animal sacrifice and signifying a comprehensive act of devotion. This holistic approach to worship is a recurring motif, also evident in the diverse instructions for offerings found throughout the Book of Leviticus, which details various types of offerings and their accompanying elements.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term refers to a libation, an act of pouring out a liquid, typically wine, as part of a sacrifice. Unlike the animal sacrifice which involved the shedding of blood and death, the drink offering symbolized a complete dedication and pouring out of valuable resources to the Lord, representing the giving of life's sustenance. Its inclusion made the overall offering more comprehensive, signifying total surrender and devotion.
This was an ancient Hebrew unit of liquid measure, roughly equivalent to 3.67 liters or 1 gallon. The precise fractional divisions (half, third, fourth) specified for different animals in this verse underscore the meticulous detail God required in the sacrificial system. This exactness highlights the sanctity of the offerings and the divine authority behind every aspect of Israelite worship, leaving no room for ambiguity or human discretion.
Meaning "that which goes up" or "ascends," this refers to an offering entirely consumed by fire on the altar, ascending as a pleasing aroma to God. It was primarily an offering of complete dedication and atonement, symbolizing the worshiper's total surrender and devotion to God. Numbers 28:14 explicitly links the drink offering to this "burnt offering of every month," indicating its integral and complementary role in the monthly ritual of total devotion and propitiation.
Verse Breakdown
"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 clause meticulously specifies the precise quantities of wine required for the drink offerings, correlating them directly to the size and perceived value of the animal being sacrificed. The bullock, being the largest and most valuable animal, commanded the largest quantity of wine (half a hin), followed by the ram (a third of a hin), and then the lamb (a fourth of a hin). This graduated scale not only reflects the economic value and the escalating cost of the larger sacrifices but also subtly emphasizes the divine wisdom in prescribing proportional offerings, all divinely ordained to ensure proper reverence, adherence, and a tangible expression of dedication in worship.
"this [is] the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year."
This concluding phrase serves as a crucial clarification, firmly establishing that the specified drink offerings are an indispensable and integral component of the monthly burnt offering ritual. The repetition of "every month throughout the months of the year" powerfully emphasizes the mandatory, consistent, and perpetual nature of these New Moon sacrifices. It reinforces the enduring covenant relationship between God and Israel, sustained through a rhythmic, unbroken cycle of worship, remembrance, and communal dedication, ensuring that their devotion was a constant, ingrained rhythm in their national and spiritual life.
Literary Devices
Numbers 28:14 predominantly employs Precision and Enumeration to convey its divine mandate. The meticulous detailing of specific, fractional quantities ("half an hin," "the third [part] of an hin," "a fourth [part] of an hin") for each corresponding animal (bullock, ram, lamb) demonstrates an unwavering divine insistence on exactness and order in ritual practice. This Numerical Specificity is not merely administrative; it underscores the sanctity and seriousness of approaching a holy God, where every minute detail matters and deviation is not permitted. Furthermore, the phrase "every month throughout the months of the year" utilizes Repetition and Temporal Specification to emphasize the mandated regularity, continuity, and unending cycle of these offerings. This highlights the Ritual Cycle as a foundational and non-negotiable element of Israel's covenant faithfulness, ensuring that worship was a consistent, ingrained rhythm in their national life. The wine itself functions as Symbolism, representing not merely a valuable agricultural commodity but also life, joy, and the profound act of pouring out in complete, unreserved dedication to the Lord.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Numbers 28:14, with its meticulous instructions for drink offerings accompanying the monthly burnt offerings, unveils profound theological truths about God's character and His covenant relationship with humanity. The divine insistence on precision, regularity, and the offering of valuable resources in worship reveals a God of perfect order, absolute holiness, and unwavering covenant faithfulness. He is not to be approached haphazardly or with half-hearted measures, but with intentionality, reverence, and a deep understanding of His majestic nature. The act of pouring out the wine, a valuable commodity, alongside the animal sacrifice, signifies a complete dedication of resources and life itself, pointing to the foundational principle that true worship involves giving one's best and holding nothing back from the Lord. This Old Testament practice serves as a powerful type, foreshadowing the New Testament call for believers to present their entire lives as living sacrifices, a spiritual act of worship that flows from a heart wholly devoted to God.
Reflection and Application
While the specific sacrificial system outlined in Numbers 28:14 has been perfectly fulfilled and rendered obsolete by Christ's ultimate and perfect sacrifice, the underlying principles embedded within this divine command remain profoundly relevant for believers today. The divine demand for precision, consistency, and wholeheartedness in Old Testament worship serves as a powerful call for us to examine the intentionality and regularity of our own spiritual disciplines and expressions of devotion. Are we approaching God with the reverence, thoughtfulness, and dedication He deserves, not just in grand gestures but in the daily rhythms and mundane moments of our lives? The concept of pouring out a valuable offering, like the wine, challenges us to consider what "best" we are truly offering to God in our time, talents, resources, and affections. Our worship, prayer life, diligent study of God's Word, faithful fellowship, and sacrificial service should be consistently marked by a spirit of wholehearted dedication, reflecting a continuous and unwavering devotion, rather than sporadic, convenient, or half-hearted efforts. This verse reminds us that genuine faith is expressed through consistent and intentional acts of worship that flow from a heart fully surrendered to God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is a "hin" and why are the measurements so specific?
A "hin" (H1969, hîyn) was an ancient Hebrew unit of liquid measure, approximately equivalent to 3.67 liters or 1 gallon. The measurements in Numbers 28:14 (half a hin, a third, a fourth) are meticulously specific because they reflect God's absolute authority, His demand for perfect order in worship, and the sanctity of the offerings. This divine precision underscored that every aspect of the ritual was to be performed exactly as commanded, leaving no room for human discretion, negligence, or improvisation. It emphasized that approaching a holy God required meticulous adherence to His divine instructions, distinguishing Israel's worship from pagan practices and reinforcing the seriousness of their covenant relationship.
What is the significance of "drink offerings" in the Old Testament?
Drink offerings, or libations (H5262, neçek), were an act of pouring out a liquid (most commonly wine, but sometimes water or oil) as a component of a sacrifice or vow. They often accompanied burnt offerings, as clearly seen in Numbers 28:14. The act of pouring out symbolized a complete dedication, a giving of one's valuable resources to the Lord. It represented a holistic act of worship, complementing the animal sacrifice by adding a dimension of life's sustenance being offered. In various contexts, it could also signify a covenant ratification or a solemn vow, emphasizing a complete and unreserved commitment to God. Broader instructions for their inclusion with various offerings are found in Numbers 15:1-10.
How does Numbers 28:14 relate to Christian worship today?
While the specific ritual of animal and drink offerings has been perfectly fulfilled by Jesus Christ, Numbers 28:14 offers enduring principles for Christian worship today. It teaches us about the profound importance of intentionality, consistency, and wholeheartedness in our devotion to God. Just as Israel was called to offer their best with precision and regularity, believers today are called to worship God "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). This means cultivating consistent spiritual disciplines such as prayer, diligent Bible study, faithful fellowship, and sacrificial service. Furthermore, we are called to offer our entire lives as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), giving our best time, talents, and resources to God's kingdom. The Old Testament rituals serve as a divinely appointed shadow, pointing to the ultimate substance found in Christ and the spiritual worship He enables through the New Covenant.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Numbers 28:14, with its detailed instructions for monthly drink offerings accompanying the burnt sacrifice, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The entire Old Testament sacrificial system, including these precise libations, served as a "shadow of the good things to come" (Hebrews 10:1), pointing forward to the perfect reality found in Christ. Jesus is the perfect and final Lamb of God, whose single, definitive sacrifice on the cross completely and eternally atoned for sin, thereby rendering the continuous animal sacrifices and their accompanying drink offerings obsolete and unnecessary (Hebrews 9:11-14). His life was not "poured out" with wine, but with His own precious blood, a complete and unreserved dedication that perfectly satisfied God's righteous demands and established the New Covenant. Just as the drink offering symbolized a full surrender and pouring out, Christ's death was the ultimate act of self-giving, a life completely poured out in perfect obedience to the Father and for the redemption of humanity (Philippians 2:8). Through His one perfect offering, believers are now invited into a new covenant reality, where our worship is no longer about external rituals but about presenting our very selves as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" (Romans 12:1). The precision and regularity demanded in Numbers 28:14 are now met by the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, which is eternally effective and continually celebrated in the spiritual reality of our union with Him, allowing us to draw near to God with full assurance.