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Commentary on Numbers 28 verses 1–8
Here is, I. A general order given concerning the offerings of the Lord, which were to be brought in their season, Num 28:2. These laws are here given afresh, not because the observance of them was wholly disused during their thirty-eight years' wandering in the wilderness (we cannot think that they were so long without any public worship, but that at least the daily lamb was offered morning and evening, and doubled on the sabbath day; so bishop Patrick conjectures); but that many of the sacrifices were then omitted is plainly intimated, Amo 5:25, quoted by Stephen, Act 7:42. Did you offer unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? It is implied, "No, you did not." But, whether the course of sacrifices had been interrupted or no, God saw fit now to repeat the law of sacrifices, 1. Because this was a new generation of men, that were most of them unborn when the former laws were given; therefore, that they might be left without excuse, they have not only these laws written, to be read to them, but again repeated from God himself, and put into a less compass and a plainer method. 2. Because they were now entering upon war, and might be tempted to think that while they were engaged in that they should be excused from offering sacrifices. Inter arma silent leges - law is little regarded amidst the clash of arms. No, says God, my bread for my sacrifices even now shall you observe to offer, and that in the due season. They were peculiarly concerned to keep their peace with God when they were at war with their enemies. In the wilderness they were solitary, and quite separate from all other people, and therefore there they needed not so much their distinguishing badges, nor would their omission of sacrifices be so scandalous as when they came into Canaan, when they mingled with other people. 3. Because possession was now to be given them of the land of promise, that land flowing with milk and honey, where they would have plenty of all good things. "Now" (says God), "When you are feasting yourselves, forget not to offer the bread of your God." Canaan was given to them upon this condition, that they should observe God's statutes, Psa 105:44, Psa 105:45.
II. The particular law of the daily sacrifice, a lamb in the morning and a lamb in the evening, which, for the constancy of it as duly as the day came, is called a continual burnt-offering (Num 28:3), which intimates that when we are bidden to pray always, and to pray without ceasing, it is intended that at least every morning and every evening we offer up our solemn prayers and praises to God. This is said to be ordained in Mount Sinai (Num 28:6), when the other laws were given. The institution of it we have, Exo 29:38. Nothing is here added in the repetition of the law, but that the wine to be poured out in the drink-offering is ordered to be strong wine (Num 28:7), the riches and most generous and best-bodied wine they could get. Though it was to be poured out upon the altar, and not drunk (they therefore might be ready to think the worst would serve to be so thrown away), yet God requires the strongest, to teach us to serve God with the best we have. The wine must be strong (says Ainsworth) because it was a figure of the blood of Christ, the memorial of which is still left to the church in wine, and of the blood of the martyrs, which was poured out as a drink-offering upon the sacrifice and service of our faith, Phi 2:17.
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SUMMARY
Numbers 28:7 meticulously details a specific component of the daily burnt offering mandated by God for the Israelites: the drink offering. This verse specifies that for each lamb offered, a precise quantity—a fourth part of a hin of strong wine—was to be poured out in the holy place as a dedicated offering to the LORD. It underscores the divine demand for precision, totality, and regularity in the worship practices of ancient Israel, highlighting the sacred nature of their covenant relationship with God through prescribed rituals.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Numbers 28:7 employs several literary devices to convey its message. Repetition is evident in the phrase "drink offering," which appears twice in the verse. This repetition emphasizes the specific nature and importance of this particular type of offering, ensuring clarity and reinforcing its central role as an accompaniment to the daily burnt offering. Symbolism is profoundly present through the "strong wine" and the act of "pouring." Wine, as a product of the land and a source of joy and sustenance, symbolizes God's provision and the fruit of human labor. Its pouring out signifies a complete dedication and surrender of this blessing back to the divine Giver, an act of total consecration. The act of pouring itself is a symbolic gesture of giving entirely to God, with nothing reserved or consumed by humans. Furthermore, the Precision of the divine instruction—the specific quantity ("fourth part of a hin") and location ("holy place")—serves as a literary feature that highlights God's meticulousness and His expectation of strict obedience from His people. This precision underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him in worship.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:7, though seemingly a minor detail in a complex sacrificial system, carries profound theological weight. It underscores the principle that worship of God requires intentionality, precision, and a complete dedication of what is valuable. The pouring out of the wine, a symbol of life's blessings and the fruit of human labor, signifies that all of life's provisions come from God and are ultimately to be offered back to Him in gratitude and devotion. This act of libation, entirely consumed by the earth or fire and not by human hands, emphasizes the concept of total consecration and the unreserved nature of true worship. It points to a God who demands and deserves the very best, not merely leftovers or convenient offerings. Furthermore, the daily nature of this offering reinforced the constant need for Israel to acknowledge God's sovereignty and their ongoing covenant relationship, serving as a perpetual reminder of their dependence and His faithfulness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of pouring out wine as a physical sacrifice no longer applies to believers today due to the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the profound principles embedded in Numbers 28:7 remain profoundly relevant for contemporary Christian life. This verse calls us to intentionality and excellence in our worship, reminding us that God is worthy of our very best—not haphazard efforts or convenient leftovers. The complete pouring out of the wine symbolizes a total surrender and dedication of our lives to God, echoing the New Testament call to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him (Romans 12:1). It compels us to acknowledge that all we have—our time, talents, resources, and even our very breath—are gifts from God, and our offerings back to Him, whether in service, generosity, or devotion, are expressions of gratitude and recognition of His sovereign provision. Our worship, therefore, should be a continuous, deliberate act of giving our whole selves to the One who gave His all for us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the significance of the "holy place" for this offering?
Answer: The "holy place" refers to the courtyard of the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple) where the altar of burnt offering was located. This was the designated sacred space where God's presence was manifested, and where the priests performed the prescribed rituals for the community. Pouring the wine "in the holy place" emphasized the sanctity of the act and its direct dedication to the LORD within His consecrated dwelling. It underscored that worship was not a casual affair but a solemn, precise act performed in a divinely appointed location, signifying the seriousness of approaching a holy God.
Why was "strong wine" specified if the Hebrew word shêkâr generally means an intoxicant?
Answer: The Hebrew word shêkâr (translated as "strong wine" in KJV) refers to an intensely alcoholic liquor or intoxicant. Its specification for the drink offering, rather than a less potent beverage, aligns with the broader biblical principle of offering God the choicest and unblemished. This implies that the offering to the LORD was to be of the best available quality, potent and undiluted, reflecting the highest honor and reverence due to Him. It emphasizes the purity and excellence of the offering, rather than a specific alcoholic strength for consumption.
Was the drink offering consumed by anyone, or was it entirely for God?
Answer: The drink offering (neçek) was entirely for God. It was poured out onto the altar, symbolizing a complete dedication. Unlike some other offerings where portions were consumed by the priests or the offerers, the drink offering was a libation, completely surrendered to the LORD. This act of "pouring out" signifies total consecration, with nothing reserved for human consumption, underscoring the unreserved nature of the offering and its exclusive dedication to the divine.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:7, with its detailed command for a daily drink offering of wine poured out to the LORD, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The repeated, precise pouring of wine in the Old Covenant pointed forward to the single, perfect, and unrepeatable "pouring out" of Christ's blood on the cross. His blood, shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28), is the true and final drink offering, establishing the New Covenant (Luke 22:20). The daily Tabernacle ritual, a shadow, is replaced by the substance of Christ's finished work (Hebrews 10:1-10). Furthermore, the concept of a life "poured out" for God finds its supreme example in Jesus, who emptied Himself (Philippians 2:7) and gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). In the New Testament, believers are called to offer themselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), echoing the complete dedication symbolized by the drink offering. Paul himself speaks of his life being "poured out as a drink offering" in service to Christ (Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6), demonstrating that the principle of total consecration, once ritualized, is now spiritually fulfilled in the believer's life of sacrificial service and worship through Christ.