Numbers 28

1 The Lord commanded Moses
2 to instruct the Israelites to present to God at the appointed times the required food offerings that are pleasing to him.
3 These are the food offerings that are to be presented to the Lord: for the daily burnt offering, two one-year-old male lambs without any defects.
4 Offer the first lamb in the morning, and the second in the evening,
5 each with a grain offering of 2 pounds of flour, mixed with 2 pints of the best olive oil.
6 This is the daily offering that is completely burned, which was first offered at Mount Sinai as a food offering, an odor pleasing to the Lord.
7 As the wine offering with the first lamb, pour out at the altar 2 pints of wine.
8 In the evening offer the second lamb in the same way as the morning offering, together with its wine offering. It also is a food offering, an odor pleasing to the Lord.
9 On the Sabbath day offer two one-year-old male lambs without any defects, 4 pounds of flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering, and the wine offering.
10 This burnt offering is to be offered every Sabbath in addition to the daily offering with its wine offering.
11 Present a burnt offering to the Lord at the beginning of each month: two young bulls, one ram, seven one-year-old male lambs, all without any defects.
12 As a grain offering, offer flour mixed with olive oil: with each bull, 6 pounds of flour; with the ram, 4 pounds;
13 and with each lamb, 2 pounds. These burnt offerings are food offerings, an odor pleasing to the Lord.
14 The proper wine offering is 4 pints of wine with each bull, 3 pints with the ram, and 2 pints with each lamb. This is the regulation for the burnt offering for the first day of each month throughout the year.
15 And in addition to the daily burnt offering with its wine offering, offer one male goat as a sin offering.
16 The Passover Festival in honor of the Lord is to be held on the fourteenth day of the first month. 1
17 On the fifteenth day a religious festival begins which lasts seven days, during which only bread prepared without yeast is to be eaten. 2
18 On the first day of the festival you are to gather for worship, and no work is to be done.
19 Offer a burnt offering as a food offering to the Lord: two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old male lambs, all without any defects.
20 Offer the proper grain offering of flour mixed with olive oil: 6 pounds with each bull, 4 pounds with the ram,
21 and 2 pounds with each lamb.
22 Also offer one male goat as a sin offering, and in this way perform the ritual of purification for the people.
23 Offer these in addition to the regular morning burnt offering.
24 In the same way, for seven days offer to the Lord a food offering, an odor pleasing to him. Offer this in addition to the daily burnt offering and wine offering.
25 Meet for worship on the seventh day and do no work.
26 On the first day of the Harvest Festival, when you present the offering of new grain to the Lord, you are to gather for worship, and no work is to be done. 3
27 Offer a burnt offering as an odor pleasing to the Lord: two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old male lambs, all without any defects.
28 Offer the proper grain offering of flour mixed with olive oil: 6 pounds with each bull, 4 pounds with the ram,
29 and 2 pounds with each lamb.
30 Also offer one male goat as a sin offering, and in this way perform the ritual of purification for the people.
31 Offer these and the wine offering in addition to the daily burnt offering and grain offering.

Numbers 28 Commentary

Chapter 28

Offerings, The daily sacrifice. (1-8) The offering on the sabbath and new moons. (9-15) Offerings at the passover, and on the day of first-fruits. (16-31)

Verses 1-8 God saw fit now to repeat the law of sacrifices. This was a new generation of men; and they were concerned to keep their peace with God when at war with their enemies. The daily sacrifice is called a continual burnt-offering; when we are bid to pray always, at least every morning and evening we should offer up solemn prayers and praises to God. Nothing is added here but that the wine poured out in the drink-offering is to be strong wine, to teach us to serve God with the best we have. 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 on the sacrifice and service of our faith, ( Philippians 2:17 ) .

Verses 9-15 Every sabbath day, beside the two lambs offered for the daily burnt-offering, there must be two more offered. 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 more closely to apply ourselves to the sabbath work, which ought to fill up the sabbath time. The offerings in the new moons showed thankfulness for the renewing of earthly blessings: when we rejoice in the gifts of providence, we must make the sacrifice of Christ, that great gift of special grace, the fountain and spring-head of our joy. And the worship performed in the new moons is made typical of gospel solemnities, Isa. 66:23 . As the moon borrows light from the sun, and is renewed by its influences; so the church borrows her light from Jesus Christ, who is the Sun of righteousness, renewing the state of the church, especially under the gospel.

Verses 16-31 By the sacrifices enjoined in this chapter, we are reminded of the continued power of the sacrifice of Christ, and of our continual need to depend thereon. No hurrying employments, or perilous situations, or prosperous circumstances, should cause slackness in our religious exercises; but should rather stir us up to greater diligence in seeking help from, or giving thanks to the Lord. And all is to be accompanied with repentance, faith is the Lord Jesus, and love to him, and to produce true holiness in our conduct towards all men; otherwise God will abhor our most solemn services and abundant devotions. And Christ is able to supply the wants of every day, every week, every month, every year, every ordinance, every case.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 28.16Exodus 12.1-13;Deuteronomy 16.1, 2.
  • 2. 28.17-25Exodus 12.14-20; 23.15; 34.18;Deuteronomy 16.3-8.
  • 3. 28.26-31Exodus 23.16; 34.22;Deuteronomy 16.9-12.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 28

In this chapter is a repetition of several laws concerning sacrifices, as the law of the daily sacrifice morning and evening, Nu 28:1-8 of those that were offered every week on the sabbath day, Nu 28:9,10 and every month on the first day of the month, Nu 28:11-15 and on the seven days of unleavened bread, Nu 28:16-25, and at the feast of weeks, Nu 28:26-31.

Numbers 28 Commentaries

Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.