Numbers · Chapter 28

SACRIFICES REQUIRED BY JEHOVAH, 1, 2.

2. My offering — Korban. Leviticus 1:2, note. My bread — Leviticus 3:11, note. By fire… sweet savour — Leviticus 1:9, note. Due season — The festal times of Jehovah, (Leviticus 23:2,) appointed by him as days or times which were to be sanctified to his service, include the sabbath, new moon, the yearly feasts, and the daily sacrifices.

V. 2. Command the children of Israel-God here repeats some of the former laws about sacrifices, not without great reason, partly because they had been generally discontinued for thirty eight years together; partly because the generation to which the former laws had been given about these things was wholly dead, and it was fit the new generation should be instructed about them, as their parents were; partly to renew their testimonies of God’s grace and mercy, notwithstanding their frequent forfeitures thereof by their rebellion: and principally because they were now ready to enter into that land, in which they were obliged to put these things in practice.

Verse 2. Command the children of Israel, &c.] It is not easy to account for the reason of the introduction of these precepts here, which had been so circumstantially delivered before in different parts of the books of Exodus and Leviticus . It is possible that the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly services had been considerably interrupted for several years, owing to the unsettled state of the people in the wilderness, and that it was necessary to repeat these laws for two reasons: 1. Because they were now about to enter into the promised land, where these services must be established and constant. 2. Because the former generations being all dead, multitudes of the present might be ignorant of these ordinances.

In their due season] Moses divides these offerings into:—

1. DAILY. The morning and evening sacrifices: a lamb each time, Numbers 28:3, 4.

2. WEEKLY. The Sabbath offerings, two lambs of a year old, Numbers 28:9, &c.

3. MONTHLY. At the beginning of each month two young bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs of a year old, and a kid for a sin-offering, Numbers 28:11, &c.

4. ANNUAL. 1. The passover to last seven days; the offerings, two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of a year old, and a he-goat for a sin-offering, Numbers 28:16, &c. 2. The day of FIRST-FRUITS. The sacrifices, the same as on the beginning of the month, Numbers 28:26, &c. With these sacrifices were offered libations, or drink-offerings of strong wine, Numbers 28:7, 14, and minchahs, or meat-offerings, composed of fine flour mingled with oil, Numbers 28:8, 12, &c. For an ample account of all these offerings, see Clarke’s notes on “Leviticus 7:38” and Exodus 12:1-51.

Verse 2. Command the children of Israel — God here repeats some of the former laws about sacrifices, not without great reason; 1st, Because they had been generally discontinued for thirty-eight years together. 2d, Because the generation to which the former laws had been given about these things was wholly dead, and it was fit the new generation should be instructed about them, as their parents were. 3d, To renew the testimonies of God’s grace and mercy, notwithstanding their frequent forfeitures thereof by their rebellion. And, 4th, and principally, Because they were now ready to enter into that land, in which they were obliged to put these things in practice. It is observable that God commands Moses to repeat them in the following order of daily, weekly, monthly, and anniversary sacrifices.

SACRIFICES REQUIRED BY JEHOVAH, 1, 2.

2. My offering — Korban. Leviticus 1:2, note. My bread — Leviticus 3:11, note. By fire… sweet savour — Leviticus 1:9, note. Due season — The festal times of Jehovah, (Leviticus 23:2,) appointed by him as days or times which were to be sanctified to his service, include the sabbath, new moon, the yearly feasts, and the daily sacrifices.

Verse 3. Two lambs day by day — This first national sacrifice was to be offered every day, morning and evening, throughout the whole year, Exodus 12:5, and 29:38.

THE DAILY BURNT OFFERING, 3-8.

This had already been instituted at Sinai, (Exodus 29:38-42,) but it could not be performed amid the wilderness wanderings.

3. Without spot — Perfect and unblemished. This did not include spots or various colours in the wool or skin. The Mishna describes fifty blemishes: five in the ear, three in the eyelid, eight in the eye, three in the nose, six in the mouth, twelve in the genitals, six in the feet, four in any place of the body — as scabs and wens — and three besides over all the body — as trembling with old age, sickness, or foul with excrements. It was unlawful to offer a lamb less than eight days old, a hybrid, a monstrosity, if it had killed a man, or were the price of a dog or a harlot, or had been dedicated to idolatry, or was an hour over a year old when the law required it to be of the first year. Day by day — The daily burnt offering was a perpetually repeated demonstration of the duty of consecrating body, soul, and spirit to God. It was a reiterated object-lesson, teaching the human side of entire sanctification, entire self-surrender to Jehovah. Leviticus 1:3, note. A continual burnt offering — That the whole daily life of Israel might be consecrated unto the Lord it was to be offered every morning and evening, for all future time, at the door of the tabernacle, where Jehovah met his people and communed with them. The daily sacrifice ceased at the destruction of Jerusalem. It will not be renewed until the Jews regain possession of Mount Moriah, the last place chosen by the Lord for offering sacrifices. Leviticus 17:2-5, notes; comp. Deuteronomy 12:11-14, and 1 Kings 8:29.

THE DAILY BURNT OFFERING, 3-8.

This had already been instituted at Sinai, (Exodus 29:38-42,) but it could not be performed amid the wilderness wanderings.

3. Without spot — Perfect and unblemished. This did not include spots or various colours in the wool or skin. The Mishna describes fifty blemishes: five in the ear, three in the eyelid, eight in the eye, three in the nose, six in the mouth, twelve in the genitals, six in the feet, four in any place of the body — as scabs and wens — and three besides over all the body — as trembling with old age, sickness, or foul with excrements. It was unlawful to offer a lamb less than eight days old, a hybrid, a monstrosity, if it had killed a man, or were the price of a dog or a harlot, or had been dedicated to idolatry, or was an hour over a year old when the law required it to be of the first year. Day by day — The daily burnt offering was a perpetually repeated demonstration of the duty of consecrating body, soul, and spirit to God. It was a reiterated object-lesson, teaching the human side of entire sanctification, entire self-surrender to Jehovah. Leviticus 1:3, note. A continual burnt offering — That the whole daily life of Israel might be consecrated unto the Lord it was to be offered every morning and evening, for all future time, at the door of the tabernacle, where Jehovah met his people and communed with them. The daily sacrifice ceased at the destruction of Jerusalem. It will not be renewed until the Jews regain possession of Mount Moriah, the last place chosen by the Lord for offering sacrifices. Leviticus 17:2-5, notes; comp. Deuteronomy 12:11-14, and 1 Kings 8:29.

5. A tenth part of an ephah — Leviticus 23:13, note. Flour — Leviticus 2:1, note. A hin — Leviticus 23:13. Beaten oil — The olive berries were beaten in a mortar. The best oil was thus made in November or December. When the berry was softer it yielded, by pressing, a larger quantity of inferior oil.

Verse 6. Which was ordained on mount Sinai — This shows that he speaks to those who were so young at the first institution of these laws, that they gave little heed to them, or had forgotten them.

THE DAILY BURNT OFFERING, 3-8.

This had already been instituted at Sinai, (Exodus 29:38-42,) but it could not be performed amid the wilderness wanderings.

3. Without spot — Perfect and unblemished. This did not include spots or various colours in the wool or skin. The Mishna describes fifty blemishes: five in the ear, three in the eyelid, eight in the eye, three in the nose, six in the mouth, twelve in the genitals, six in the feet, four in any place of the body — as scabs and wens — and three besides over all the body — as trembling with old age, sickness, or foul with excrements. It was unlawful to offer a lamb less than eight days old, a hybrid, a monstrosity, if it had killed a man, or were the price of a dog or a harlot, or had been dedicated to idolatry, or was an hour over a year old when the law required it to be of the first year. Day by day — The daily burnt offering was a perpetually repeated demonstration of the duty of consecrating body, soul, and spirit to God. It was a reiterated object-lesson, teaching the human side of entire sanctification, entire self-surrender to Jehovah. Leviticus 1:3, note. A continual burnt offering — That the whole daily life of Israel might be consecrated unto the Lord it was to be offered every morning and evening, for all future time, at the door of the tabernacle, where Jehovah met his people and communed with them. The daily sacrifice ceased at the destruction of Jerusalem. It will not be renewed until the Jews regain possession of Mount Moriah, the last place chosen by the Lord for offering sacrifices. Leviticus 17:2-5, notes; comp. Deuteronomy 12:11-14, and 1 Kings 8:29.

V. 7. In the holy place-Upon the altar of burnt offerings, which was in the court of the priests, nigh to the entrance into the sanctuary.

Verse 7. Strong wine] Sikera; see Clarke’s note on “Leviticus 10:9”, where this is largely explained.

Verse 7. In the holy place — Upon the altar of burnt-offerings, which was in the court of the priests, nigh to the entrance into the sanctuary, (Exodus 29:42,) and was, with respect to those places of the camp, which were more remote from the tabernacle, the holy place. Strong wine to be poured unto the Lord — The original word signifies any strong drink: it was not necessary it should be wine of grapes; it might be made of dates, or other fruits. But it behooved that it should be the best of the kind; it being but reasonable that the best should be offered to God.

7. The drink offering — Leviticus 23:13, note. In the holy place — Not in the priests’ apartment, the so called holy place, but, as Josephus says, “about the altar.” Strong wine — Hebrew, shecar, does not here mean intoxicating drink, but strong drink in distinction from water. Leviticus 10:9, note.

THE DAILY BURNT OFFERING, 3-8.

This had already been instituted at Sinai, (Exodus 29:38-42,) but it could not be performed amid the wilderness wanderings.

3. Without spot — Perfect and unblemished. This did not include spots or various colours in the wool or skin. The Mishna describes fifty blemishes: five in the ear, three in the eyelid, eight in the eye, three in the nose, six in the mouth, twelve in the genitals, six in the feet, four in any place of the body — as scabs and wens — and three besides over all the body — as trembling with old age, sickness, or foul with excrements. It was unlawful to offer a lamb less than eight days old, a hybrid, a monstrosity, if it had killed a man, or were the price of a dog or a harlot, or had been dedicated to idolatry, or was an hour over a year old when the law required it to be of the first year. Day by day — The daily burnt offering was a perpetually repeated demonstration of the duty of consecrating body, soul, and spirit to God. It was a reiterated object-lesson, teaching the human side of entire sanctification, entire self-surrender to Jehovah. Leviticus 1:3, note. A continual burnt offering — That the whole daily life of Israel might be consecrated unto the Lord it was to be offered every morning and evening, for all future time, at the door of the tabernacle, where Jehovah met his people and communed with them. The daily sacrifice ceased at the destruction of Jerusalem. It will not be renewed until the Jews regain possession of Mount Moriah, the last place chosen by the Lord for offering sacrifices. Leviticus 17:2-5, notes; comp. Deuteronomy 12:11-14, and 1 Kings 8:29.

Verse 9. On the sabbath two lambs — The second stated and national sacrifice was weekly. On this day the burnt-offerings and meat-offerings are ordered to be double.

THE SABBATH OFFERING, 9, 10.

9. Sabbath day — Greek, in the plural, the day of sabbaths. Thus the New Testament, Luke 4:16: Acts 13:14; 16:13. Two lambs — In addition to the regular daily sacrifice. The Sabbath was instituted in memory of the creation, (Exodus 20:11,) of the exode from Egypt, (Deuteronomy 5:15,) as a sign of Israel’s consecration to the Lord, (Ezekiel 20:12,) and as an emblem of soul-rest in Christ here, and of heavenly rest hereafter. Hebrews 4:3, 9. Ezekiel, predicting that service under the Gospel, glad and free in the fulness of the Spirit, says that in the sabbath day the prince shall offer six perfect lambs. Ezekiel 46:4, 5. Tenth deals — Leviticus xxiii, 13, note. Meat offering — Leviticus 2, notes.

THE SABBATH OFFERING, 9, 10.

9. Sabbath day — Greek, in the plural, the day of sabbaths. Thus the New Testament, Luke 4:16: Acts 13:14; 16:13. Two lambs — In addition to the regular daily sacrifice. The Sabbath was instituted in memory of the creation, (Exodus 20:11,) of the exode from Egypt, (Deuteronomy 5:15,) as a sign of Israel’s consecration to the Lord, (Ezekiel 20:12,) and as an emblem of soul-rest in Christ here, and of heavenly rest hereafter. Hebrews 4:3, 9. Ezekiel, predicting that service under the Gospel, glad and free in the fulness of the Spirit, says that in the sabbath day the prince shall offer six perfect lambs. Ezekiel 46:4, 5. Tenth deals — Leviticus xxiii, 13, note. Meat offering — Leviticus 2, notes.

Verse 11. In the beginning of your months — The third stated sacrifice was monthly, to be offered on the first day of every month. This sacrifice to God is thought to have been ordained in opposition to the idolatry of the Gentiles, who were wont to worship the new moon with great rejoicings. Besides the celebration of the new moon by sacrifices, and sound of trumpet, (Numbers 10:10,) the Jews were wont upon those days to assemble for receiving instruction from their prophets, (2 Kings 4:23,) and to feast together, 1 Samuel 20:5, 18. And it was customary on those days to shut up their shops, and abstain from ordinary and servile labour, as is hinted Amos 8:5.

Verse 11. The beginnings of your months; the new moons, as many affirm. Colossians 2:16. Every Hebrew at the new moon made some small offering, or performed some extra devotion to the Lord.

LAW OF OFFERINGS AT THE NEW MOONS, 11-15.

11. Beginnings of… months — The months began with the new moon at the signal of the silver trumpet in the sanctuary. Numbers 10:10, note; 2 Chronicles 2:4. Then Israel gathered to the prophets, or other teachers, to hear the word of God, (2 Kings 4:23,) and kept a religious feast, abstaining from business. 1 Samuel 20:5, 6; Amos 8:5. This was “a shadow of Christ.” Colossians 2:16, 17. This accords with Isaiah 66:23. The Hebrews say, “As the beginning of the months are sanctified and renewed in this world, so shall Israel be sanctified and renewed in time to come.” Two young bullocks — A more costly sacrifice than that on the sabbath. Leviticus iv, Concluding Note, (4.) It was an additional offering to the daily sacrifice. All the animals in this verse were for a burnt offering.

12. Mingled with oil — Leviticus 2:1, note; for the amount see verse 5, note.

13. A several tenth deal — A tenth of an ephah for each lamb.

14. A hin of wine — Leviticus 23:13, note.

Ver. 15. And one kid of the goats, as soon as the new moon was seen. The Sabians at this time, ver. 11, made offerings to the moon, calling her the queen of heaven; here the Lord diverts the people from those practices by a hallowed attendance at his altar. The fat &c. of this goat was burned on the altar, and the flesh of all the ordinary sin-offerings was eaten by the priests.

15. A sin offering — For an atonement for them, verse 22. See Leviticus iv, notes. The Hebrews say that this sin-offering was eaten. Leviticus 4:26, 30.

Verses 16, 17. The fourteenth day of the first month — The fourth stated and national sacrifice was annual, namely, the great passover festival, with the feast of unleavened bread annexed to it. In the fifteenth day — On the fourteenth day at even the passover was kept; and the next day began the feast of unleavened bread, Leviticus 23:6.

LAW OF OFFERINGS AT THE PASSOVER, 16-25.

16. The first month — The passover month, answering in part to our March. Leviticus 23:5, note.

V. 17. The feast-Namely, of unleavened bread.

Verses 16, 17. The fourteenth day of the first month — The fourth stated and national sacrifice was annual, namely, the great passover festival, with the feast of unleavened bread annexed to it. In the fifteenth day — On the fourteenth day at even the passover was kept; and the next day began the feast of unleavened bread, Leviticus 23:6.

17. The feast — Of unleavened cakes, (Leviticus 23:6, note,) prefiguring sincerity and truth, as the passover lamb typified Christ. 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8; John 1:29, note.

18. A holy convocation — Leviticus 23:2. No… servile work — Leviticus 23:7, note.

19-21. Ye shall offer — The same sacrifices, meat and drink offerings, as were required at the new moons. Ezekiel (Ezekiel 45:22-24) predicts a change in these.

19-21. Ye shall offer — The same sacrifices, meat and drink offerings, as were required at the new moons. Ezekiel (Ezekiel 45:22-24) predicts a change in these.

19-21. Ye shall offer — The same sacrifices, meat and drink offerings, as were required at the new moons. Ezekiel (Ezekiel 45:22-24) predicts a change in these.

22. A sin offering — The rabbins say that it was eaten on the second day of the passover, the sixteenth of Nisan.

V. 23. In the morning-And that in the evening too, as is evident from other scriptures; but the morning-sacrifice alone is mentioned, because the celebration of the feast began with it, and principally because this alone was doubtful, whether this might not be omitted when so many other sacrifices were offered in that morning, whereas there was no question but the evening sacrifice should be offered, when there were none other to be offered.

Verse 23. In the morning — And that in the evening too, as is evident from other passages of Scripture. But the morning sacrifice alone is mentioned, both because the celebration of the feast began with it, and because this alone was doubtful whether this might not be omitted, when so many other sacrifices were offered in that morning: whereas, there was no question but the evening sacrifice should be offered, when there were none other to be offered. This solemn festival was designed as an acknowledgment of God’s goodness in bringing them out of Egypt, and making them a free people; which was the foundation of all their future blessings.

23. Beside the burnt offering — The daily sacrifice, verse 3, note. In addition there was a lamb for a burnt offering accompanied by the wave sheaf. Leviticus 23:12, note.

LAW OF OFFERINGS AT THE PASSOVER, 16-25.

16. The first month — The passover month, answering in part to our March. Leviticus 23:5, note.

25. The seventh day — Leviticus 23:8, note. It is called in Exodus 13:6, a feast to Jehovah.

V. 26. The day of the first fruits-In the feast of pentecost, Acts 2:1. Your weeks-The seven weeks which you are to number from the passover.

Verse 26. Day of the first-fruits] Called also the feast of weeks, and the feast of pentecost. See it explained, Clarke “Exodus 23:14”, and “Leviticus 23:15”.

Verse 26. Also in the day of the first-fruits — In the feast of pentecost, Acts 2:1. The weeks — The seven weeks which you are to number from the passover. This fifth stated and national sacrifice was also annual, namely, at the harvest festival, when the first-fruits of corn were to be offered up, Exodus 23:16. This festival was two-fold; first, the barley-harvest first-fruits, beginning at the passover; and then, at seven weeks’ end, the wheat-harvest festival, called the feast of weeks, which is here intended. When ye bring a new meat or bread-offering — That is, two loaves made of the first wheat flour, as the first-fruits of the said wheat-harvest.

OFFERINGS AT THE FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS, 26-31.

26. Firstfruits — Called the feast of harvest, Exodus 23:16; of weeks, Exodus 34:22; and day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1. See Leviticus 23:15-21, notes. A new meat offering — New in respect to the former offered at the passover. Leviticus 23:16, note. After your weeks — Fifty days after the passover.

Verse 27. Ye shall offer the burnt-offering — The same as in the new moon, verse 11. To reconcile this verse with Leviticus 23:18, see the note on that verse.

27-31. Two… bullocks — These. the ram, and seven lambs were in addition to the one bullock, two rams, and seven lambs offered with the firstfruits, (Leviticus 23:18, note,) and besides the daily sacrifice or continual burnt offering. The parenthesis in verse 31 seems to apply to the meat offering, which was to be without blemish, or perfect. Drink offerings — That is, “strong wine, (verse 7,) not dead, sour, mixed with dregs or lees, or otherwise corrupted.” — Ainsworth.

27-31. Two… bullocks — These. the ram, and seven lambs were in addition to the one bullock, two rams, and seven lambs offered with the firstfruits, (Leviticus 23:18, note,) and besides the daily sacrifice or continual burnt offering. The parenthesis in verse 31 seems to apply to the meat offering, which was to be without blemish, or perfect. Drink offerings — That is, “strong wine, (verse 7,) not dead, sour, mixed with dregs or lees, or otherwise corrupted.” — Ainsworth.

27-31. Two… bullocks — These. the ram, and seven lambs were in addition to the one bullock, two rams, and seven lambs offered with the firstfruits, (Leviticus 23:18, note,) and besides the daily sacrifice or continual burnt offering. The parenthesis in verse 31 seems to apply to the meat offering, which was to be without blemish, or perfect. Drink offerings — That is, “strong wine, (verse 7,) not dead, sour, mixed with dregs or lees, or otherwise corrupted.” — Ainsworth.

27-31. Two… bullocks — These. the ram, and seven lambs were in addition to the one bullock, two rams, and seven lambs offered with the firstfruits, (Leviticus 23:18, note,) and besides the daily sacrifice or continual burnt offering. The parenthesis in verse 31 seems to apply to the meat offering, which was to be without blemish, or perfect. Drink offerings — That is, “strong wine, (verse 7,) not dead, sour, mixed with dregs or lees, or otherwise corrupted.” — Ainsworth.

Verse 31. Without blemish] This is to be understood as applying, not only to the animals, but also to the flour, wine, and oil; every thing must be perfect in its kind.

NUMBERS

27-31. Two… bullocks — These. the ram, and seven lambs were in addition to the one bullock, two rams, and seven lambs offered with the firstfruits, (Leviticus 23:18, note,) and besides the daily sacrifice or continual burnt offering. The parenthesis in verse 31 seems to apply to the meat offering, which was to be without blemish, or perfect. Drink offerings — That is, “strong wine, (verse 7,) not dead, sour, mixed with dregs or lees, or otherwise corrupted.” — Ainsworth.