The Fourth Book of Moses, called Numbers
Numbers 29
Chapter XXIX · Vol. I, pp. 462–464
1 The offering at the feast of trumpets, 7 on the day of afflicting their souls, 12 and on the eight days of the feast of tabernacles.
1 AND in the a seventh month,1 on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:2 it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.
a Le. 23.24,25. ch. 10.10. Ezr. 3.6. 1 Ch. 15.28. Ps. 81.1-3; 89.15. Ro. 10.14-18; 15.16,19; 10.15, 18. Ep. 3.8,9. Ac. 1.8. Mar. 16.15.
1 The seventh of the sacred year, but the first of the old or civil year. On it, too, the jubilee was celebrated every seventh and every fiftieth year, on the 10th of the month, being the great day of atonement.—P.
2 This is the only one of the monthly feasts during which all servile work was interdicted, because it was an emblem of the new life, and of freedom from Egyptian bondage, and rest from their labours. See note on Le. 23.24.—C.
2 And ye shall offer a burnt-offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; b one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year, without blemish:
b ver. 8,36; ch. 28.11, 19, 27. He. 10.10,12, 14; 9.12,14.
3 And their c meat-offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth-deals[≈ 6.6 litres · 1.5 gallons] for a bullock, and two tenth-deals[≈ 4.4 litres · 7.7 pints] for a ram,
c ver. 9.
4 And one tenth-deal[≈ 2.2 litres · 3.9 pints] for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;
5 And d one kid of the goats for a sin-offering, to make an atonement for you:3
A.M. 2552. B.C. 1452.
d Le. 16.15. ch. 15.24; 28.15,22,30; ver. 11, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 38. Ga. 4.4. Ro. 8.3. Is. 53.4-6, 11, 12. 2 Co. 5.21. 1 Pe. 2.24; 3.18.
3 The special offering of this feast consists of only ten animals, there being but one bullock, whereas in the sacrifices directed in ch. 28.11, 19, 24 there were two. The reason why this number was chosen and appointed by God upon this occasion is most probably to be found in a reference to the ten plagues of Egypt, from which Israel was protected, and by the infliction of which they were delivered from bondage. See Ps. 81. 3-7.—C.
6 Besides the e burnt-offering of the month, and his meat-offering, and the f daily burnt-offering and his meat-offering, and their drink-offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.
e ch. 28.11-15.
f ch. 28.3-8. Ex. 29.38-42. Le. 6.9.
7 And g ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls:4 ye shall not do any work therein.5
g Le. 16.29,30,31; 23.27. Ac. 27.9. Ps. 35.13. 1 Co. 9.27. Zec. 12.10. Ro. 6.6. Ga. 5.24. Lu. 13.3,5.
4 With fasting.—P.
5 The afflicting of the soul on the tenth day, and the offering of ten animals, seems here a memorial, not merely of protection and deliverance, as in the former case, but a recognition of the ten commandments the Israelites had covenanted to observe, yet perfidiously violated, and which violation they here sacrificially acknowledge with sorrow and humiliation.—C.
8 But ye shall offer a burnt-offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour; h one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; i they shall be unto you without blemish:
h ver. 2.
i ver. 2,13,17,20, &c.; ch. 28.19.
9 And k their meat-offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth-deals[≈ 6.6 litres · 1.5 gallons] to a bullock, and two tenth-deals[≈ 4.4 litres · 7.7 pints] to one ram,
k ch. 15.3-12; 28.11-14,20,21; ver. 3,4. Jn. 6.32-58. Ga. 2.20.
10 A several tenth-deal[≈ 2.2 litres · 3.9 pints] for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;
11 One l kid of the goats for a sin-offering; besides the m sin-offering of atonement, and the continualn burnt-offering, and the meat-offering of it, and their drink-offerings.
l ver. 5,6.
m Le. 16.3-34. He. 7.27; 9.12-15, 26, 28; 10.10,12,14,20. Da. 9.24,26.
n ver. 6; ch. 28.3-8. He. 7.3,16; 13.15.
12 And on o the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days.
13 And ye shall offer a burnt-offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; p thirteen young bullocks,6 two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:
p Ezr. 3.4. ver. 2,8,36; ch. 28.11,19,27. He. 7.27; 9.12-15,26,28; 10.10,12,14.
6 The number 'thirteen' most probably refers to the thirteen tribes, for thirteen, and not twelve, was the real number, Joseph having been doubled by Ephraim and Manasseh, and Levi excluded from the political census.—C.
14 And their meat-offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth-deals[≈ 6.6 litres · 1.5 gallons] unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth-deals[≈ 4.4 litres · 7.7 pints] to each ram of the two rams,
15 And a several tenth-deal[≈ 2.2 litres · 3.9 pints] to each lamb of the fourteen lambs;
16 And q one kid of the goats for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, his meat-offering, and his drink-offering.
q ver. 5,6.
17 And on the second day ye shall offer twelver young bullocks,7 two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year, without spot:
r He. 7.18,19; 8.13; 10.1. Da. 9.24. He. 10.10-14.
7 In ver. 17,20,23,26, 29,32, the bullocks decrease by one each day. The meaning of such sacrificial peculiarities is sometimes revealed by Moses or explained by Paul; at other times, where neither give any explanation, we must have recourse to analogy, which, to a certain limited extent, is a safe guide; and at times, though the 'veil of Moses' be taken from our face, we must yet acknowledge that we 'see as through a glass, darkly.' In the present case there is no small difficulty in giving any reason for this diminution as the Scripture is everywhere silent on the point. Still, it seems
18 And their meat-offering, and their drink-offerings, for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, afters the manner;
19 And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, and the meat-offering thereof, and their drink-offerings.
20 And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year, without blemish:
21 And their meat-offering, and their drink-offerings, for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner;
22 And one goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, and his meat-offering, and his drink-offering.
23 And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year, without blemish:
24 Their meat-offering, and their drink-offerings, for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner;
25 And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, his meat-offering, and his drink-offering.
26 And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year, without spot:
27 And their meat-offering, and their drink-offerings, for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner;
28 And one goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, and his meat-offering, and his drink-offering.
29 And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year, without blemish:
30 And their meat-offering, and their drink-offerings, for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner;
31 And one goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, his meat-offering, and his drink-offering.
32 And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year, without blemish:
33 And their meat-offering, and their drink-offerings, for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner;
34 And one goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering,8 his meat-offering, and his drink-offering.
8 It is worthy of special remark, that in each of these feasts there is a peculiar sacrifice for the day, but to every day is inviolably retained 'the continual burnt-offering.' This is a most wise and admirable appendage, and originating from a deep insight into the human heart. Religious excitement, like every other excitement, has a continual tendency to engross the heart, and to render it negligent of ordinary duties. Therefore, both before and after these august and impressive ceremonials the ordinary, the every-day business of religion is scrupulously enjoined, even to the minutest particular.—Note, The little things of religion—if we so call any parts of religion—do not set us free from 'the weightier matters;' neither do the greater things of religion supersede our attention to the little, Mat. 23.23.—C.
35 On the t eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly;9 ye shall do no servile work therein:
t Le. 23.36. Jn. 7.37. Mat. 28.1; 25.30-34, 46. Ps. 47.5,6. He. 1.3; 4.9. 10. Is. 11.10; liv. lx. Re. 7.9-17; xxi. xxii. Eze. xi.-xlviii.
9 This is called 'the great day of the feast,' Jn. 7.37, yet the sacrifices were fewer than upon any other of the feast-days. This might well serve to teach the Israelites not to trust to the multitude of their sacrifices for pardon, peace, or other blessings, but to the one offering for atonement, to which, since the days of Abel, the eye of faith had always been directed He. 11.4. The Jewish rabbins affirm that upon this day it was customary to draw water from the pool of Siloam, and to pour it mixed with wine upon the sacrifices. This custom is not intimated either by Moses or any of the prophets, though the rabbins attempt to deduce it from Is. 12.3. And it is not improbable that our Lord alluded to it when he cried, 'if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink;' thereby turning an unauthorized, pompous, and useless ceremony, into an occasion of calling the attention of the people to spiritual duties enjoined and the spiritual privileges promised by God.—C.
36 But ye shall offer a burnt-offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year, without blemish:
37 Their meat-offering, and their drink-offerings, for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner;
38 And one goat for a sin-offering, besides the continual burnt-offering, and his meat-offering, and his drink-offering.
39 These things ye shall do1 unto the LORD in your set feasts, u besides your vows, and your free-will-offerings, for your burnt-offerings, and for your meat-offerings, and for your drink-offerings, and for your peace-offerings.2
A.M. 2552. B.C. 1452.
1 Or, offer.
u Le. 23.38; 7.11; 22.23. ch. 6.21; 18.11. De. 16.10,16,17; 12.6. 1 Co. 10.31. Ro. 12.1,2; 15.16. 1 Pe. 2.5. He. 13.16.
2 It should be noted that no amount of free-will or voluntary offerings could absolve any individual from the regular and permanent observance of the ordinary duties of religion. God's worship admits of no compromise.—P.
40 And Moses x told the children of Israel, according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.
x ch. 12.7. He. 3.2. 1 Co. 4.2. Mat. 28.20. 1 Co. 11.2,23.
Notes
[Ver. 12. This is the feast of tabernacles, see Le. xxiii. 'On the seven feast-days there were to be offered, in addition to the daily burnt-offering, every day a he-goat for a sin-offering, and seventy oxen in all for a burnt-offering during the seven days, as well as every day two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, with the requisite meat-offerings and drink-offerings. Whilst, therefore, the number of rams and lambs was double the number offered at the passover and feast of pentecost, the number of oxen was fivefold: for, instead of fourteen, there were seventy offered during the seven days. This multiplication was distributed in such a way, that instead of there being ten offered every day, there were thirteen on the first day, twelve on the second, and so on, deducting one every day, so that on the seventh day there were exactly seven offered; the arrangement being probably made for the purpose of securing the holy number seven for this last day, and indicating at the same time, through the gradual diminution in the number of sacrificial oxen, the gradual decrease in the festal character of the seven festal days' (Keil). P.]
Ver. 39. [The annual sacrifices enjoined at the public charge were, according to these chapters of repetition: goats 15; kids 21; rams 72; bullocks 132; lambs 1101: in all, 1241. In addition there were vast numbers of sin, trespass, and peace offerings, by individuals; together with the astonishing number of lambs offered at the passover. When Cestius, the Roman governor, sought the number of visitors at Jerusalem, the priests answered that the lambs killed were 256,500. C.]
Reflections.—In these numerous and complex oblations, and their often-repeated occasions, I remark the insufficiency of the Jewish ceremonies. Yet I cannot but behold and admire the one oblation of the Redeemer himself, so fully completing all justice, pardoning sin, procuring peace, and securing life and comfort for every believer. In virtue and usefulness so answerable to, but in glory so infinitely transcending, them all.—But while I travel through such groups of typical feasts and oblations, let me, illuminated by gospel light, stop to behold in them the blessed new promise of grace; let me view it in its gracious origin, glorious power, wonderful construction, important parts, condition, and promise; its wise, effectual, and infinitely useful administration, and its delightful properties; as all my salvation and all my desire! Here let me contemplate Jesus in his savoury and saving names, his wonderful natures, his glorious person as God-man, his endearing excellences and qualifications, his saving offices of Mediator, Saviour, Redeemer, Prophet, Priest, and King, and his heart-captivating relations to God and men; let me consider his infinitely diversified but necessary states of humiliation and exaltation, his delightful labours of love in undertaking for us, assuming our nature, obeying and suffering in our stead, rising from the dead, ascending to glory, appearing in the presence of God as our advocate, and returning to judge the world, to complete and carry to the highest our eternal salvation; while I admire all his fulness, natural or communicative, as lodged in him for sinful men. Let me behold the ten commandments as a broken covenant of works fulfilled, magnified, and made honourable for me, in having the Lawgiver himself its obedient subject, fulfilling at once both its precept and penalty in the highest degree, and in the most disadvantageous circumstances, amidst poverty, reproach, distress, persecution by men, temptation and harassment by devils, and under an infinite load of sins borne, will of God fixed, and pain inflicted on him.—Thus all my sins, all the sins of a lost world, were borne by the Son of God, suffered for by him, removed from him and from us in our respective justification, destroyed in us by sanctification, marvellously improved by providence for our good, and their fruits shall be finally and perfectly abolished in our glorification. Thus a great and everlasting salvation was effected for sinful men—for ME—devised in God's everlasting deep love, secured with the blood of his Son, freely offered in the gospel, powerfully applied by the Holy Ghost, and in time and eternity is enjoyed in full right of marriage, law, and sonship, and in the most delightful possession. Thus the spirituality, self-dependency, infinity, eternity, unchangeableness, independency, greatness, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth of the most High, the great JEHOVAH, are vindicated from all reproach, all the injury done to them by sin is fully resented, and themselves glorified to the highest; and in consequence hereof they all appear smiling and breathing forth unbounded love and mercy to sinful men—to sinful me. Thus a redeeming Godhead, in all his persons, perfections, purposes, works, fulness, and property, is offered to, bestowed on, enjoyed, and to be for ever enjoyed, by rebellious men—by rebellious me—as my ALL and in ALL.—Let me then observe, that my whole life, whether I fast or whether I feast, whether I weep or whether I rejoice, ought to be a life of faith on the Son of God, who loved me, and thus gave himself for me; and that, while I study to have as many solemn feasts on his death as I can, I ought never, morning or evening, to neglect the daily service of God in my closet and my family.
Measures in square brackets are modern equivalents added for this edition. They are not in the King James text or in Brown’s notes. They use common scholarly estimates: a cubit is about 45.7 cm (18 in), a shekel about 11.4 g (0.4 oz), an ephah about 22 litres. Money values give the worth of the silver or gold at spot prices on 28 October 2026, not what the sum would buy in the ancient world.