United Commentaries

Num.28.1-29.40

These two chapters contain information about Israel’s ritual calendar, including a list of required daily, weekly, and monthly offerings and a list of annual religious events. Thus Israel was instructed to worship God “properly and in order” (1 Cor 14:40). The annual cycle of sacrifices involved a tremendous investment of animals, grain, oil, and wine. Israel marked these special days by stopping their normal work, a kind of sacrifice that recognized the importance of these holy days. This annual cycle included eight different occasions for worship, all of which recalled Israel’s relationship with the Lord. Each worship event included a different combination of burnt, grain, liquid, and/or sin offerings.

For details on the grain and liquid offerings, see Num 15:1-16. For explanations of the different types of offerings, see Lev 1:1–7:38. For a description of Israel’s festivals, see Lev 23:1-44. For the New Testament perspective on the Old Testament sacrificial system, see John 1:29; Rom 12:1; Heb 9:9-15; 10:1-2; 1 Pet 2:5.

Num.29.1-6

the Festival of Trumpets: See also Lev 23:23-25.

Num.29.7-11

The Day of Atonement was a solemn occasion, a day of fasting (see also Lev 16; 23:26-32; Rom 3:23-25; Heb 9:7-12, 23-28).

Num.29.7

Ten days later, on the tenth day of the same month: It is celebrated today as Yom Kippur (from Hebrew yom hakkippurim, Lev 23:27).

Num.29.12-38

The Festival of Shelters began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. It was an eight-day harvest celebration (29:12, 35; Exod 34:22) that required an enormous number of offerings. This harvest festival was an especially joyous occasion and a time for thanksgiving (see Neh 8:13-18). The shelters also reminded the Israelites of dwelling in tents during their wilderness sojourn (see also Lev 23:33-43; 1 Kgs 8:1-2).

Num.29.39

Public offerings were supplemented by a variety of voluntary individual gifts (cp. Lev 23:38).