Numbers 28

1 The Lord also said to Moses:
2 Command the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: Offer ye my oblation and my bread, and burnt sacrifice of most sweet odour, in their due seasons.
3 These are the sacrifices which you shall offer: Two lambs of a year old without blemish every day for the perpetual holocaust:
4 One you shall offer in the mornings, and the other in the evening:
5 And the tenth part of an ephi of flour, which shall be tempered with the, purest oil, of the measure of the fourth part of a hin.
6 It is the continual holocaust which you offered in mount Sinai for a most sweet odour of a sacrifice by fire to the Lord.
7 And for a libation you shall offer of wine the fourth part of a hin for every lamb in the sanctuary of the Lord.
8 And you shall offer the other lamb in like manner in the evening according to all the rites of the morning sacrifice, and of the libations thereof, an oblation of most sweet odour to the Lord.
9 And on the sabbath day you shall offer two lambs of a year old without blemish, and two tenths of flour tempered with oil in sacrifice, and the libations,
10 Which regularly are poured out every sabbath for the perpetual holocaust.
11 And on the first day of the month you shall offer a holocaust to the Lord, two calves of the herd, one ram, and seven lambs of a year old, without blemish,
12 And three tenths of flour tempered with oil in sacrifice for every calf: and two tenths of flour tempered with oil for every ram:
13 And the tenth of a tenth of flour tempered with oil in sacrifice for every lamb. It is a holocaust of most sweet odour and an offering by fire to the Lord.
14 And these shall be the libations of wine that are to be poured out for every victim: Half a hin for every calf, a third for a ram, and a fourth for a lamb. This shall be the holocaust for every month, as they succeed one another in the course of the year.
15 A buck goat also shall be offered to the Lord for a sin offering over and above the perpetual holocaust with its libations.
16 And in the first month, on the four tenth day of the month, shall be the phase of the Lord,
17 And on the fifteenth day the solemn feast: seven days shall they eat unleavened bread.
18 And the first day of them shall be venerable and holy: you shall not do any servile work therein.
19 And you shall offer a burnt sacrifice a holocaust to the Lord, two calves of the herd, one ram, seven lambs of a year old, without blemish:
20 And for the sacrifice of every one three tenths of flour which shall be tempered with oil to every calf, and two tenths to every ram,
21 And the tenth of a tenth, to every lamb, that is to say, to all the seven lambs:
22 And one buck goat for sin, to make atonement for you,
23 Besides the morning holocaust which you shall always offer.
24 So shall you do every day of the seven days for the food of the fire, and for a most sweet odour to the Lord, which shall rise from the holocaust, and from the libations of each.
25 The seventh day also shall be most solemn and holy unto you, you shall do no servile work therein.
26 The day also of firstfruits, when after the weeks are accomplished, you shall offer new fruits to the Lord, shall be venerable and holy: you shall do no servile work therein.
27 And you shall offer a holocaust for a most sweet odour to the Lord, two calves of the herd, one ram, and seven lambs of a year old, without blemish:
28 And in the sacrifices of them three tenths of flour tempered with oil to every calf, two to every ram,
29 The tenth of a tenth to every lamb, which in all are seven lambs: a buck goat also,
30 Which is slain for expiation: besides the perpetual holocaust and the libations thereof.
31 You shall offer them all without blemish with their libations.

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.

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

The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.