Numbers 29 commentary

NUMBERS 29 COMMENTARY
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
The Festival of Trumpets
1 “‘On the first day of the seventh month hold a
sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a
day for you to sound the trumpets.
BARNES 1-6, "The ordinance of the Feast of Trumpets was to be observed
on the opening day of that month within which the great Day of the
Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles fell (compare Lev_23:23 ff). The
special offering for the day anticipated that of the great Day of Atonement.
CLARKE, "And in the seventh month, etc. - This was the beginning of their
civil year, and was a time of great festivity, and was ushered in by the
blowing of trumpets. It answers to a part of our September. In imitation of
the Jews different nations began their new year with sacrifices and festivity.
The ancient Egyptians did so; and the Persians still celebrate their nawi rooz,
or new year’s day, which they hold on the vernal equinox. The first day of
the year is generally a time of festivity in all civilized nations. On this day
the Israelites offered one young bullock, one ram, seven lambs, and a kid,
for a sin-offering, besides minchahs or meat-offerings.
GILL, "And in the seventh month,.... The month Tisri, as the Targum of
Jonathan, which answers to part of our September and October; a month
famous for days to be religiously observed, having more of them in it than
any other month in the year:
on the first day of the month, ye shall have a holy convocation; see Lev_
23:24,
ye shall do no servile work; therefore, in the place referred to, is called a
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sabbath:
it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you; of which; see Gill on Lev_23:24.
HENRY 1-11, "There were more sacred solemnities in the seventh month
than in any other month of the year, not only because it had been the first
month till the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt (which, falling in the month
Abib, occasioned that to be thenceforth made the beginning of the months
in all ecclesiastical computations), but because still it continued the first
month in the civil reckonings of the jubilees and years of release, and also
because it was the time of vacation between harvest and seedtime, when
they had most leisure to attend the sanctuary, which intimates that, though
God will dispense with sacrifices in consideration of works of necessity and
mercy, yet the more leisure we have from the pressing occasions of this life
the more time we should spend in the immediate service of God. 1. We have
here the appointment of the sacrifices that were to be offered on the first
day of the month, the day of blowing the trumpets, which was a preparative
for the two great solemnities of holy mourning on the day of atonement and
of holy joy in the feast of tabernacles. The intention of divine institutions is
well answered when one religious service helps to fit us for another and all
for heaven. The blowing of the trumpets was appointed, Lev_23:24. Here
the people are directed what sacrifices to offer on that day, of which there
was not then any mention made. Note, Those who would know the mind of
God in the scripture must compare one part of the scripture with another,
and put those parts together that have reference to the same thing, for the
latter discoveries of divine light explain what was dark and supply what was
defective in the former, that the man of God may be perfect. The sacrifices
then to be offered are particularly ordered here (Num_29:2-6), and care
taken that these should not supersede the daily oblation and that of the new
moon. It is hereby intimated that we must not seek occasions to abate our
zeal in God's service, nor be glad of an excuse to omit a good duty, but rather
rejoice in an opportunity of accumulating and doing more than ordinary in
religion. If we perform family-worship, we must not think that this will
excuse us from our secret devotions; nor that on the days we go to church
we need not worship God alone and with our families; but we should
always abound in the work of the Lord. 2. On the day of atonement.
Besides all the services of that day, which we had the institution of, Lev. 16,
and which, one would think, required trouble and charge enough, here are
burnt-offerings ordered to be offered, Num_29:8-10. For in our faith and
repentance, those two great gospel graces which were signified by that day's
performances, we must have an eye to the glory and honour of God, which
was purely intended in the burnt-offerings; there was likewise to be a kid of
the goats for a sin-offering, besides the great sin-offering of atonement
(Num_29:11), which intimates that there are so many defects and faults,
even in the exercises and expressions of our repentance, that we have need
of an interest in a sacrifice to expiate the guilt even of that part of our holy
things. Though we must not repent that we have repented, yet we must
repent that we have not repented better. It likewise intimated the
imperfection of the legal sacrifices, and their insufficiency to take away sin,
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that on the very day the sin-offering of atonement was offered, yet there
must be another sin-offering. But what the law could not do, in that it was
weak, that Christ has done.
JAMISON,"Num_29:1-40. The offering at the Feast of Trumpets.
in the seventh month — of the ecclesiastical year, but the first month of
the civil year, corresponding to our September. It was, in fact, the New
Year’s Day, which had been celebrated among the Hebrews and other
contemporary nations with great festivity and joy and ushered in by a
flourish of trumpets. This ordinance was designed to give a religious
character to the occasion by associating it with some solemn observances.
(Compare Exo_12:2; Lev_23:24).
it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you — This made it a solemn
preparation for the sacred feasts - a greater number of which were held
during this month than at any other season of the year. Although the
institution of this feast was described before, there is more particularity
here as to what the burnt offering should consist of; and, in addition to it, a
sin offering is prescribed. The special offerings, appointed for certain days,
were not to interfere with the offerings usually requisite on these days, for
in Num_29:6 it is said that the daily offerings, as well as those for the first
day of the month, were to take place in their ordinary course.
K&D 1-6, "The festal sacrifice for the new moon of the seventh month
consisted of a burnt-offering of one bullock, one ram, and seven yearling
lambs, with the corresponding meat-offerings and drink-offerings, and a
sin-offering of a he-goat, “besides” (i.e., in addition to) the monthly and
daily burnt-offering, meat-offering, and drink-offering. Consequently the
sacrifices presented on the seventh new moon's day were, (1) a yearling
lamb in the morning and evening, with their meat-offering and drink-
offering; (2) in the morning, after the daily sacrifice, the ordinary new
moon's sacrifice, consisting of two bullocks, one ram, and seven yearling
lambs, with their corresponding meat-offerings and drink-offerings (see at
Num_29:11); (3) the sin-offering of the he-goat, together with the burnt-
offering of one bullock, one ram, and seven yearling lambs, with their
proper meat-offerings and drink-offerings, the meaning of which has been
pointed out at Lev_23:23.
CALVIN, "1And in the seventh month. I have already observed that the festivals
are not here (generally) treated of, but only the sacrifices, by which their
solemnization was to be graced. In the beginning of the seventh month was the
memorial, as it was called, of the blowing of trumpets. Because it was a minor
festival, Moses only commands one bullock to be killed; but the number was
increased on other grounds, for we have already seen that on the first of every
month two bullocks were sacrificed. This day, therefore, had three larger victims,
whilst the number of the others was doubled, so that there were two rams and
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fourteen lambs. Thus, then, God consecrated this day doubly to Himself, so that one
celebration diminished nothing of the other; else He might have seemed to have
abrogated what He had once commanded. The memorial of trumpets was not, then,
an abolition of the new-moon, but they kept both ordinances at the same time.
COFFMAN, "THE SEVENTH MONTH OF RELIGIOUS YEAR
"And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have a holy
convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing of trumpets unto you.
And ye shall offer a burnt-offering for a sweet savor unto Jehovah: one young
bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish; and their meal
offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for the bullock, two tenth
parts for the ram, and one tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs; and one he-
goat for a sin-offering, to make atonement for you; besides the burnt-offering of the
new moon, and the meal-offering thereof, and the continual burnt-offering and the
meal-offering thereof, and their drink-offerings, according unto their ordinance, for
a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah."
The Jews had a dual system of years; there was the religious year which began with
the month Abib (Nisan), the first part of which was honored by the Passover
ceremonies and the feast of Unleavened Bread; and then there was the year which
began on the first of Tisri, this being the occasion of the blowing of the trumpets
(Numbers 10:10) and the celebration of Rosh Hoshannah, the Jewish New Year.
Also, during this seventh month (religious), there came the great Day of Atonement
and all of the ritual performed by the high priest on that day (Exodus 16). This was
marked by the Jews as Yom Kippur, or, more accurately, "Yom ha-Kippurim."[1]
Our comments on this are found in Exodus 16 and Leviticus 23. All of these
offerings mentioned here are additional to the bullocks, rams, and goats offered by
the high priest on the Day of Atonement.
COKE, "Numbers 29:1. In the seventh month, &c.— Before their departure from
Egypt, this was the first day of the first month of the ecclesiastical year; but now the
first day of the seventh month of that year: but it was the first month of the civil
year, and answered to our September. See Vignoles Chronol. lib. 3: cap. 1: sect. 3.
Exodus 12:2. Dr. Beaumont observes, respecting the blowing of the trumpets, that
hereby was figured the preaching of repentance and belief in Christ, Isaiah 58:1.
Mark 1:4.
ELLICOTT, "(1) And in the seventh month . . . —This chapter contains an account
of the days which were to be observed as religious ordinances in the seventh or
Sabbatical month—a month which contained more of those days than any other
month in the year.
It is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.—Literally, of loud or joyful clang. The
silver trumpets were blown at every new moon (Numbers 10:10), but the first day of
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the seventh month was emphatically the day for blowing of trumpets—“a memorial
of blowing of trumpets,” which, according to Jewish writers, was continued from
sun-rising to sun-setting. (See Leviticus 23:24, and Note.) The word “trumpets” is
not expressed either in Leviticus 23:24, or in this place; and in Psalms 81:3, which is
used at the Feast of Trumpets in the modern Jewish services, the word used is
shophan—a word which is interchanged with keren (the cornet, or ram’s horn)—
not hazozerah, the straight silver trumpet mentioned in Numbers 10:2. The word
teruah, which is here rendered “blowing the trumpets,” is coupled with shophar in
Leviticus 25:9—“the trumpet of loud clang or joyful sound.” The details of the fire
offering prescribed in Leviticus 23:25 are here given.
PETT, "Chapter 29 The Feasts of the Seventh Month.
The seventh moon period contained within itself parallel ceremonies to those which
took place in the first three moon periods. Each began with a special day, Passover
and Atonement, these were then followed by a seven day feast, Unleavened Bread
and Tabernacles, and both concluded with a special one day feast, Firstfruits and
the Eighth Day. This confirms how special the seventh month was. Once in the land
(and already in Gilead and Bashan) it would be a time when the harvesting for the
year was all completed and they awaited the hoped for coming rains. This last may
well have been part of the reason for this concentration of feasts. If Israel was to be
blessed with rain they must be fully right with Yahweh. Certainly Tabernacles later
became a festival associated with the cry for rain.
The sacred seventh month would commence with the feast of the blowing of
trumpets. This was the audible celebration of the introduction of this sacred month,
the month in which on its tenth day yearly atonement would be made before the
very Ark itself on the Day of Atonement, and on its fifteenth day the final
celebration of the agricultural year, the celebration of the ingathering of
summerfruits and grapes, and of all the harvests, at the Feast of Tabernacles, would
be entered into and enjoyed (see Deuteronomy 16:13-15 which stresses the
rejoicing). The day of trumpets announced the holiness of the month and called on
Yahweh to recognise the wholehearted response of His people. It would then be
followed by the annual atonement ceremony and the concluding ceremony over
eight days of full rejoicing for the abundance of harvests received, both of flocks
and herds, and grain and fruits.
When later, long after entry into the land, this became the first month of the year,
the trumpets would celebrate the entry of the new year. But in these early days of
recognition of the wonder of Yahweh’s coming provision the celebration was of the
sacred seventh month of atonement and blessing.
Verses 1-6
Chapter 29 The Feasts of the Seventh Month.
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The seventh moon period contained within itself parallel ceremonies to those which
took place in the first three moon periods. Each began with a special day, Passover
and Atonement, these were then followed by a seven day feast, Unleavened Bread
and Tabernacles, and both concluded with a special one day feast, Firstfruits and
the Eighth Day. This confirms how special the seventh month was. Once in the land
(and already in Gilead and Bashan) it would be a time when the harvesting for the
year was all completed and they awaited the hoped for coming rains. This last may
well have been part of the reason for this concentration of feasts. If Israel was to be
blessed with rain they must be fully right with Yahweh. Certainly Tabernacles later
became a festival associated with the cry for rain.
The sacred seventh month would commence with the feast of the blowing of
trumpets. This was the audible celebration of the introduction of this sacred month,
the month in which on its tenth day yearly atonement would be made before the
very Ark itself on the Day of Atonement, and on its fifteenth day the final
celebration of the agricultural year, the celebration of the ingathering of
summerfruits and grapes, and of all the harvests, at the Feast of Tabernacles, would
be entered into and enjoyed (see Deuteronomy 16:13-15 which stresses the
rejoicing). The day of trumpets announced the holiness of the month and called on
Yahweh to recognise the wholehearted response of His people. It would then be
followed by the annual atonement ceremony and the concluding ceremony over
eight days of full rejoicing for the abundance of harvests received, both of flocks
and herds, and grain and fruits.
When later, long after entry into the land, this became the first month of the year,
the trumpets would celebrate the entry of the new year. But in these early days of
recognition of the wonder of Yahweh’s coming provision the celebration was of the
sacred seventh month of atonement and blessing.
Feast of the Blowing of Trumpets (Numbers 29:1-6).
a In the seventh month the first day of the month (the new moon day) to be a holy
convocation, a day of no servile work and of the blowing of trumpets (Numbers
29:1).
b Whole burnt offerings of one young ox bull and a ram and seven he-lambs to be
offered as a pleasing odour to Yahweh (Numbers 29:2).
c The varied grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers
29:3-4).
b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering to make atonement
(Numbers 29:5).
a This to be besides the new moon whole burnt offering with its grain offering, and
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the continual daily whole burnt offering with its grain and drink offerings, for a
pleasing odour, an offering made by fire to Yahweh (Numbers 29:6).
Numbers 29:1
‘And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy
convocation. You shall do no servile work. It is a day of blowing of trumpets to you.’
So on the first day of the seventh month the trumpets would be blown by the sons of
Aaron the Priest (Numbers 10:8). Yet it was not the only time the trumpets were
blown. They were to be blown on this ‘day of gladness’, but they were also to be
blown over the offerings offered at their set feasts, and on new moon days and over
their peace offerings as a memorial to Yahweh their God (Numbers 10:10). The
trumpets drew everyone’s attention, and especially Yahweh’s attention (looking
from the people’s point of view) to the fact that this sacred month had now dawned
at the end of another hopefully successful agricultural round, when atonement
would be made for all Israel for another year.
TRAPP, "Numbers 29:1 And in the seventh month, on the first [day] of the month,
ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing
the trumpets unto you.
Ver. 1. And in the seventh month.] This Sabbath month, as it were, had as many
feasts in it as were celebrated in all the year besides. So that as the Sabbath is the
queen of days, so was this of months.
It is a day of blowing.] {See Trapp on "Leviticus 23:24"}
POOLE, "The sacrifice at the feast of the trumpets; its burnt-offering, and sin-
offering, Numbers 29:1-4. Of the feast of atonement; its offerings, Numbers 29:5-11.
Of the feast of tabernacles, during seven days; their offerings; the eighth day a great
holiday Numbers 29:12-38.
In the seventh month; so it was in their ecclesiastical account, in which the month
Abib was the first; but as to civil matters, this was the first month.
A day of blowing the trumpets; whereby the people were admonished solemnly to
prepare themselves for the feasts, which were as many in this month as in all the
year besides.
WHEDON, " THE OFFERINGS AT THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS, Numbers
29:1-6.
1-6. Seventh month — Ethanim, (1 Kings 8:2,) Tisri — our September. It was the
going out or revolution, the end and beginning of the civil and jubilee year. Exodus
23:16; Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 25:9-10, notes. But to signalize the exode, Abib or
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March was reckoned the first month of the ecclesiastical or ritual year, and Tisri
became the seventh month of the same calendar. The feasts were reckoned
according to this new calendar. Exodus 12:2; Leviticus 23:24, notes.
Blowing the trumpets — For their form and the design of the signal see Leviticus
23:23-25, notes. Three sets of offerings were made on this day: (1) the daily or
continual; (2) the ordinary monthly; and (3) the special seventh month sacrifices,
making in all twenty-three victims; and, if this day was the sabbath, two lambs were
added. Leviticus 23:25, note; Numbers 28:9-10.
Their manner — Prescribed order. See Introduction to Leviticus, (Numbers 29:5.)
2 As an aroma pleasing to the Lord, offer a burnt
offering of one young bull, one ram and seven
male lambs a year old, all without defect.
GILL, "And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the
Lord,.... Which was as follows:
one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without
blemish, which was the same, only one bullock less, with the offerings on
the first day of the month, the seven days of unleavened bread, and the day
of the firstfruits, Num_28:11, Num_28:19, Num_28:27.
PETT, "Numbers 29:2-5
‘And you shall offer a whole burnt offering for a pleasing odour to Yahweh, one
young ox bull, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish; and their grain
offering, milled grain mingled with oil, three tenth parts for the ox bull, two tenth
parts for the ram, and one tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs; and one he-
goat for a purification for sin offering, to make atonement for you,’
Again we have a munificent offering. And it was even more munificent because on it
would also be offered the continual daily offerings and the new moon offerings.
Thus were offered three young ox bulls, two rams, fourteen he-lambs, together with
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their accompanying offerings, and the two he-lambs of the daily offering. And if it
was also a Sabbath, the Sabbath offerings would be offered as well.
3 With the bull offer a grain offering of three-
tenths of an ephah[a] of the finest flour mixed
with olive oil; with the ram, two-tenths[b];
GILL, "And their meat offering,.... Which went along with the creatures
offered for a burnt offering; the quantity of flour and oil used in it was the
same, for a bullock, a ram, and each lamb, as in the offerings at the new
moons, feast of unleavened bread and the day of firstfruits, Num_28:10 and
a kid of the goats was also offered for a sin offering at this time, as in those
seasons, and for the same purpose, to make atonement for the sins of their
holy things.
4 and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth.[c]
5 Include one male goat as a sin offering[d] to
make atonement for you.
6 These are in addition to the monthly and daily
burnt offerings with their grain offerings and
drink offerings as specified. They are food
offerings presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma.
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COKE, "Numbers 29:6. According unto their manner— That is, according to the
order which God appointed: which was this; first, the morning daily sacrifice was
offered; then the sacrifices for the first day of every month; and, lastly, the
additional sacrifices appointed for this first day of the seventh month.
REFLECTIONS.—The seventh month was distinguished by more solemnities than
any other. The first day was ushered in with the feast of trumpets, preparatory to
the day of atonement. We need continual and loud calls to repentance. The sacrifices
to be offered, were a bullock, a ram, and seven lambs, with their several oblations;
besides those which must be offered at a new moon, and the daily burnt sacrifice.
We must not suppose that extraordinary duties excuse us from daily stated services.
When we have waited upon God in the great congregation, or secretly among the
faithful, we must not neglect our family devotions, nor slight the work of secret
prayer.
PETT, "Numbers 29:6
‘Besides the whole burnt offering of the new moon, and its grain offering, and the
continual whole burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink-offerings,
according to their ordinance, for a pleasing odour, an offering made by fire to
Yahweh.’
On this day offerings were multiplied. The special day offerings, the new moon
offerings and the continual daily offerings. And all this was a pleasing odour to
Yahweh and an offering made by fire to Him.
The Day of Atonement
7 “‘On the tenth day of this seventh month hold a
sacred assembly. You must deny yourselves[e]
and do no work.
BARNES 7-11, "The offering on the great Day of Atonement was the same
with that just specified. The great ceremonies of the day are described in
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Lev. 16.
CLARKE, "On the tenth day - See the notes on Lev_16:29, and Lev_23:24
(note).
GILL, "And ye shall have on the tenth day of the seventh month an holy
convocation,.... The month Tisri, as before; so the Targum of Jonathan:
and ye shall afflict your souls; or persons; their bodies by fasting, and their
souls by repentance and humiliation; for this was a grand fast, as it is called
Act_27:9,
ye shall not do any work therein; see Lev_23:28.
JAMISON 7-11, "ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an
holy convocation — This was the great day of atonement. Its institution,
together with the observance to which that day was devoted, was described
(Lev_16:29, Lev_16:30). But additional offerings seem to be noticed,
namely, the large animal sacrifice for a general expiation, which was a
sweet savor unto the Lord, and the sin offering to atone for the sins that
mingled with that day’s services. The prescriptions in this passage appear
supplementary to the former statement in Leviticus.
K&D 7-11, "On the day of atonement, on the tenth of the seventh month, a
similar festal sacrifice was to be offered to the one presented on the seventh
new moon's day (a burnt-offering and sin-offering), in addition to the sin-
offering of atonement prescribed at Lev 16, and the daily burnt-offerings.
For a more minute description of this festival, see at Lev 16 and Lev_
23:26-32.
CALVIN, "7.And ye shall have on the tenth day. This was the day of Atonement.
For although they never came into God’s presence without supplication for pardon,
they then in a special manner confessed their sins, because a fast was appointed in
token of their guilt. For thus it is written in Leviticus 23:29,
"Whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off
from among his people."
As to the sacrifices, one bullock only is required; the rest is as before, except that an
exception is added, which was omitted in the former cases. For another propitiation
is appointed besides the goat, to accord with the fact of their affliction. For the
acknowledgment of guilt would have been a dreadful torment to their consciences
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without the hope of reconciliation. The reason of this sacrifice will be soon
explained.
COFFMAN, "THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
"And on the tenth day of this seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation; and
ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall do no manner of work; but ye shall offer a burnt-
offering unto Jehovah for a sweet savor: one young bullock, one ram, seven he-
lambs a year old; they shall be unto you without blemish; and their meal-offering,
fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for the bullock, two tenth parts for the
one ram, a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs: one he-goat for a sin-
offering; besides the sin-offering of atonement, and the continual burnt-offering,
and the meal-offering thereof, and their drink-offerings."
Note that this whole series of offerings follows a pattern in the number and kind of
animals to be offered, in the amount of the meal-offerings in each case, and the
inclusion of the drink-offerings. All of these are supplementary and additional to the
regular sacrifices and ceremonies already prescribed in Exodus and Leviticus. Day
of Atonement was the tenth day of the seventh month. Another great Jewish festival
occurred in this month, namely, the Feast of Tabernacles which took place on the
fifteenth day of this same month. The offerings for this day were extensive, more
than for any other day, as appears at once in the text.
ELLICOTT, " (7) The tenth day of this seventh month . . . —The law respecting the
observance of the great Day of Atonement is contained in Leviticus 16 and Leviticus
23:26-32. The sacrifices prescribed in Numbers 29:8-11, which are the same as those
prescribed for the first day of the seventh month, were to be offered in addition to
the sin offerings of atonement prescribed in Leviticus 16 and to the daily burnt
offerings. (See Notes on Leviticus 16; Leviticus 23:26-32.)
And ye shall afflict your souls.—See Leviticus 16:29. This affliction or humiliation
appears to have included in it fasting (comp. Acts 27:9), although the word which
denotes fasting is not employed, nor is there any express injunction respecting
fasting in the Pentateuch.
PETT, " The Day of Atonement (Numbers 29:7-11).
Sacred in the Israelite calendar was the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of the
seventh month. It was a day of affliction of the person (compare Leviticus 16:29),
although we are never told in what way. On this day they were to ‘afflict
themselves’. This probably represented some form of indicating penitence, although
we are not told what it was. It may have been the loosening of the hair, the ritual
tearing of clothes, and the covering of the upper lip (Leviticus 13:45). (Compare
Numbers 10:6; Numbers 21:10; Ezekiel 24:17; Ezekiel 24:22; Genesis 37:34;
Numbers 14:6; 2 Samuel 1:11; 2 Kings 11:14; 2 Kings 19:1; 2 Kings 22:11; 2 Kings
22:19; Ezra 9:5; Micah 3:7). It would later be related to fasting, but there is no hint
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of that here. In Isaiah 58:3-5 it is related to fasting but rather as something done
while fasting, possibly ‘bowing down his head as a rush, and spreading sackcloth
and ashes under him’.
But it was not specifically spelled out, probably so that men could choose how they
expressed themselves without it becoming just a formal response. This day yearly
was the day when Israel specially remembered their sins. It was a sorrowful day for
that reason, but behind it lay joy, for on that day the High Priest discreetly and
reverently entered behind the veil in the Holy Place into the Holy of Holies itself,
and there presented before Yahweh at the very Mercy Seat (the Ark), the blood,
first of his own purification for sin offering (a bull ox), and then of their purification
for sin offering (a he-goat). And on that day also a further he-goat, the ‘scapegoat’,
was driven into the wilderness, having had the sins of the people confessed over it,
never to return, in one way or another bearing on it as their representative the sins
of Israel (see Leviticus 16 for details).
a The tenth day of the seventh month to be a holy convocation for affliction of their
souls and no manner of work (Numbers 29:7).
b Whole burnt offerings of one young ox bull and a ram and seven he-lambs to be
offered to Yahweh as a pleasing odour (Numbers 29:8).
c The grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers
29:9-10).
b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering (Numbers 29:11 a).
a This to be offered beside the purification for sin offering of atonement, and the
continual whole burnt offerings, with their grain and drink offerings (Numbers
29:11 b).
Numbers 29:7
‘And on the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation, and
you shall afflict your souls. You shall do no manner of work,’
That day was a day of affliction of the person, and a holy convocation (gathering
together) on which no work must be done. All must be allowed to fully participate in
that day.
TRAPP, "Numbers 29:7 And ye shall have on the tenth [day] of this seventh month
an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work
[therein]:
Ver. 7. And ye shall have.] See Leviticus 16:19, {See Trapp on "Leviticus 16:19"}
13

POOLE, "Your souls, i.e. yourselves, by fasting and abstinence from all delightful
things, and by compunction and bitter sorrow for your sins, and the judgments of
God either deserved by you, or inflicted upon you for your sins. See Leviticus
16:29,30 23:27.
WHEDON, "Verses 7-11
OFFERINGS ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT, Numbers 29:7-11.
7-11. On this day the sacrifices were the same as on the day of new moon of the
seventh month, in addition to the sin offering peculiar to the yom kippur, the day of
atonement, which is minutely described in Leviticus 16 and Leviticus 23:26-32,
notes. This atonement was a lively figure of reconciliation to God by the death of
Christ.
Ye shall afflict your souls — This betokens repentance and humiliation for sins, and
prefigures our fellowship in the afflictions of Christ. Romans 6:3-4; Romans 6:6.
8 Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord a
burnt offering of one young bull, one ram and
seven male lambs a year old, all without defect.
GILL, "But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the Lord,.... Which is the
same as ordered to be offered on the first day, Num_29:2. Aben Ezra is of
opinion that the ram here is different from those in Lev_16:3.
‘But you shall offer a whole burnt offering to Yahweh, for a pleasing odour; one
young ox bull, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old; they shall be to you without
blemish; and their grain offering, milled grain mingled with oil, three tenth parts
for the ox bull, two tenth parts for the one ram, a tenth part for every lamb of the
seven lambs: one he-goat for a purification for sin offering of atonement, and the
continual whole burnt offering, and its grain offering, and their drink-offerings.’
On that day special offerings would be offered as here described, but these would be
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additional to the whole burnt offerings of a ram for the priest (Leviticus 16:3) and a
ram for the people (Leviticus 16:5), and the purification for sin offerings of an ox
bull for the priest and a he-goat for the people (Leviticus 16:3; Leviticus 16:5) and
the scapegoat. Thus would atonement be made followed by the offerings of worship,
dedication, praise and thanksgiving, which also included an element of atonement.
Each year this solemn day would be seen as allowing a new beginning. The past was
behind them and the future before them. Whatever had been they could begin
again, being fully reconciled to Yahweh. Although this did depend on the attitude of
heart with which they had come (see Isaiah 1:11-20). Their offerings had to be
genuine. They did not work automatically.
9 With the bull offer a grain offering of three-
tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with
oil; with the ram, two-tenths;
GILL, "And their meat offering,.... Which was of the same quantity of flour
and oil, for a bullock, a ram, and a lamb, as for the meat offering on the first
day of the month.
10 and with each of the seven lambs, one-tenth.
11 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in
addition to the sin offering for atonement and the
regular burnt offering with its grain offering, and
their drink offerings.
GILL, "One kid of the goats for a sin offering,.... This also, as it was different
from that which was offered for the service of the day, so it was offered after
15

it; as is observed by the Jewish writers, that the goat, which was offered
without, though of the Musaphim, or additions, could not go before the
service of the day for it is said as follows:
beside the sin offering of atonement; hence, say they, we learn, that the goat
within, which was of the service of the day, went before it (n); after that the
ram of Aaron, and the ram of the people, and after that the fat of the sin
offering:
and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink
offerings; which were never omitted on account of the service of any day,
though ever so solemn, as this was: hence it appears that there were offered
on this day of atonement two bullocks, three rams, three goats, and two
lambs.
The Festival of Tabernacles
12 “‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month,
hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.
Celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days.
CLARKE, "On the fifteenth day of the seventh month - On this day there
was to be a solemn assembly, and for seven days sacrifices were to be
offered; on the first day thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen
lambs. On each succeeding day one bullock less, till on the seventh day there
were only seven, making in all seventy. What an expensive service! How
should we magnify God for being delivered from it! Yet these were all the
taxes they had to pay. At the public charge there were annually offered to
God, independently of trespass-offerings and voluntary vows, fifteen goats,
twenty-one kids, seventy-two rams, one hundred and thirty-two bullocks,
and eleven hundred and one lambs! But how little is all this when compared
with the lambs slain every year at the passover, which amounted in one year
to the immense number of 255,600 slain in the temple itself, which was the
answer that Cestius, the Roman general, received when he asked the priests
how many persons had come to Jerusalem at their annual festivals; the
priests, numbering the people by the lambs that had been slain, said,
“twenty-five myriads, five thousand and six hundred.” - For an account of
the feast of tabernacles, see on Lev_23:34 (note).
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GILL, "And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy
convocation,.... Of the same month Tisri, which was the seventh from Nisan
or Abib, though it was formerly the first month of the year:
ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven
days; the feast of tabernacles, which began on the fifteenth day of this
month.
HENRY 12-40. "Soon after the day of atonement, that day in which men
were to afflict their souls, followed the feast of tabernacles, in which they
were to rejoice before the Lord; for those that sow in tears shall soon reap
in joy. To the former laws about this feast, which we had, Lev_23:34, etc.,
here are added directions about the offerings by fire, which they were to
offer unto the Lord during the seven days of that feast, Lev_23:36. Observe
here, 1. Their days of rejoicing were to be days of sacrifices. A disposition to
be cheerful does us no harm, nor is any bad symptom, when it is so far from
unfitting us for the duties of God's immediate service that it encourages and
enlarges our hearts in them. 2. All the days of their dwelling in booths they
must offer sacrifices. While we are here in a tabernacle-state, it is our
interest as well as duty constantly to keep up communion with God; nor will
the unsettledness of our outward condition excuse us in our neglect of the
duties of God's worship. 3. The sacrifices for each of the seven days, though
differing in nothing but the number of the bullocks, are severally and
particularly appointed, which yet is no vain repetition; for God would thus
teach them to be very exact in those observances, and to keep an eye of faith
fixed upon the institution in every day's work. It likewise intimates that the
repetition of the same services, if performed with an upright heart, and
with a continued fire of pious and devout affection, is no weariness to God,
and therefore we ought not to snuff at it, or to say, Behold, what a
weariness it is to us! 4. The number of bullocks (which were the most costly
part of the sacrifice) decreased every day. On the first day of the feast they
were to offer thirteen, on the second day but twelve, on the third day eleven,
etc. So that on the seventh they offered seven; and the last day, though it
was the great day of the feast, and celebrated with a holy convocation, yet
they were to offer but one bullock; and, whereas on all the other days they
offered two rams and fourteen lambs, on this they offered but one ram and
seven lambs. Such was the will of the Law-maker, and that is reason enough
for the law. Some suggest that God herein considered the infirmity of the
flesh, which is apt to grudge the charge and expense of religion; it is
therefore ordered to grow less and less, that they might not complain as if
God had made them to serve with an offering, Isa_43:23. Or it is hereby
intimated to them that the legal dispensation should wax old, and vanish
away at last; and the multitude of their sacrifices should end in one great
sacrifice, infinitely more worthy than all of them. It was on the last day of
the feast, after all these sacrifices had been ordered, that our Lord Jesus
stood and cried to those who still thirsted after righteousness (being
sensible of the insufficiency of these sacrifices to justify them) to come unto
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him and drink, Joh_7:37. 5. The meat-offerings and drink-offerings
attended all the sacrifices, according to their number, after the manner. Be
there ever so much flesh, it is no feast without bread and drink, therefore
these must never be omitted at God's altar, which was his table. We must
not think that doing much in religion will be accepted if we do not do it well,
and after the manner that God has appointed. 6. Every day there must be a
sin-offering presented, as we observed in the other feasts. Our burnt-
offerings of praise cannot be accepted of God unless we have an interest in
the great sacrifice of propitiation which Christ offered when for us he made
himself a sin-offering. 7. Even when all these sacrifices were offered, yet the
continual burnt-offering must not be omitted either morning or evening,
but each day this must be offered first in the morning and last in the
evening. No extraordinary services should jostle out our stated devotions. 8.
Though all these sacrifices were required to be presented by the body of the
congregation, at the common charge, yet, besides these, particular persons
were to glorify God with their vows and their free-will offerings, Num_
29:39. When God commanded that this they must do, he left room for the
generosity of their devotion, a great deal more they might do, not inventing
other worships, but abounding in these, as 2Ch_30:23, 2Ch_30:24. Large
directions had been given in Leviticus concerning the offerings of all sorts
that should be brought by particular persons according to the providences
of God concerning them and the graces of God in them. Though every
Israelite had an interest in these common sacrifices, yet he must not think
that these will serve instead of his vows and his free-will offerings. Thus our
ministers' praying with us and for us will not excuse us from praying for
ourselves.
JAMISON 12-34, "on the fifteenth day — was to be held the feast of booths
or tabernacles. (See Lev_23:34, Lev_23:35). The feast was to last seven
days, the first and last of which were to be kept as Sabbaths, and a
particular offering was prescribed for each day, the details of which are
given with a minuteness suited to the infant state of the church. Two things
are deserving of notice: First, that this feast was distinguished by a greater
amount and variety of sacrifices than any other - partly because, occurring
at the end of the year, it might be intended to supply any past deficiencies -
partly because, being immediately after the ingathering of the fruits, it
ought to be a liberal acknowledgment - and partly, perhaps, because God
consulted the weakness of mankind, who naturally grow weary both of the
charge and labor of such services when they are long-continued, and made
them every day less toilsome and expensive [Patrick]. Secondly, it will be
remarked that the sacrifices varied in a progressive ratio of decrease every
day.
K&D 12-34, "The feast of Tabernacles, the special regulations for the
celebration of which are contained in Lev_23:34-36 and Lev_23:39-43, was
distinguished above all the other feasts of the year by the great number of
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burnt-offerings, which raised it into the greatest festival of joy. On the seven
feast-days, the first of which was to be celebrated with sabbatical rest and a
holy meeting, 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 of the oxen 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. The reason for this multiplication in the number of
burnt-offerings is to be sought for in the nature of the feast itself. Their
living in booths had already visibly represented to the people the defence
and blessing of their God; and the foliage of these booths pointed out the
glorious advantages of the inheritance received from the Lord. But this
festival followed the completion of the ingathering of the fruits of the
orchard and vineyard, and therefore was still more adapted, on account of
the rich harvest of splendid and costly fruits which their inheritance had
yielded, and which they were about to enjoy in peace now that the labour of
agriculture was over, to fill their hearts with the greatest joy and gratitude
towards the Lord and Giver of them all, and to make this festival a speaking
representation of the blessedness of the people of God when resting from
their labours. This blessedness which the Lord had prepared for His people,
was also expressed in the numerous burnt-offerings that were sacrificed on
every one of the seven days, and in which the congregation presented itself
soul and body to the Lord, upon the basis of a sin-offering, as a living and
holy sacrifice, to be more and more sanctified, transformed, and perfected
by the fire of His holy love (see my Archäol. i. p. 416).
CALVIN, "12.And on the fifteenth, day. Amongst their festivals this last was the
chief (240) in which they dwelt in tabernacles for seven days; for whereas in the
Passover they commemorated the night in which they came forth free from the
plagues of Egypt, by dwelling in tabernacles they embraced the whole forty years in
which their fathers in the desert experienced the constant and consummate bounty
of God. That solemn convention, too, availed for another present purpose, i.e., of
thanksgiving to God for the ingathering of the harvest. Hence it was that they
offered sacrifices every day and in greater number: on the first day, thirteen
bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs; on the second, twelve bullocks; on the
third, eleven; on the fourth, ten; on the fifth, nine; on the sixth, eight; finally, on the
seventh, seven; and on the eighth, one. Nor is it carelessly that Moses expends so
many words on the recital; first, that nothing might be done except at God’s
19

command; secondly, lest it should be disagreeable or onerous to be at such great
expense, which they would have gladly avoided. Wherefore, that they might
cheerfully obey God’s command, he diligently inculcates what victims God would
have daily offered to Him. But why the distribution was so unequal, I confess, is not
clear to me, and it is better to confess my ignorance than by too subtle speculations
to vanish into mere smoke. (241) This notion, indeed, is neither curious nor to be
rejected, i.e., that, by daily diminishing the number, they came at last on the seventh
day to the number seven, which is the symbol of perfection; for the eighth was
superadded, merely as a conclusion. Finally, Moses subjoins that in the continual
sacrifice, as well as these extraordinary ones, they should hold fast to what God
prescribes, so that nothing should be altered according to man’s fancy. The
sacrifices which depend on the Commandments of the Second Table, I have
designedly postponed to their proper place.
COFFMAN, "FEAST OF TABERNACLES
"And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation; ye
shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto Jehovah seven days: and ye
shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah;
thirteen young bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old; they shall be
without blemish; and their meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth
parts for every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth parts for each ram of the
two rams, and a tenth part for every lamb of the fourteen lambs; and one he-goat
for a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, the meal-offering thereof,
and the drink-offering thereof.
And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams fourteen he-
lambs a year old without blemish; and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings
for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after
the ordinance; and one he-goat for a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-
offering, and the meal-offering thereof, and their drink-offerings.
And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old
without blemish; and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks,
for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; and
one he-goat for a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, and the meal-
offering thereof, and the drink-offering thereof.
And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old without
blemish; their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the rams,
and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; and one he-goat
for a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, and the meal-offering
thereof, and the drink-offering thereof.
And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old without
20

blemish; and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the
rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; and one
he-goat for a sin offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, and the meal-
And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old without
blemish; and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the
he-goat for a sin offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, the meal-offering
thereof, and the drink-offering thereof.
And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old
without blemish; and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks,
one he-goat for a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, and the meal-
On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work; but
ye shall offer a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto
Jehovah: one bullock, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish; their
meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the
lambs, shall be according to their number, after the ordinance: and one he-goat for
a sin-offering; besides the continual burnt-offering, the meal-offering thereof, and
the drink-offering thereof."
The ancient style of the language here indicates a mid-fifteenth century B.C. period
of history. All of the repetitions here can be telescoped into a very few words. As for
example in the following: "The offerings for this eight-day festival were thirteen
young bulls, two rams, fourteen he-lambs, and a he-goat to be offered each day, all
sacrifices without blemish, and each including the appropriate meal-offering and
the drink-offering, with this exception, that the number of bulls was diminished
each day by one: thirteen for the first day, twelve for the second, etc."
In the aggregate, the total sacrifices for this Feast of Tabernacles were larger than
any other of the special assignments made for Israel in these chapters. This feast,
coming in the fall of the year, was also called the feast of Harvest Home, the Feast of
Ingathering, etc. During the feast, the Jews constructed primitive shelters, or
"booths" made of the branches of trees and dwelt in these for a whole week, a
custom that was continued for centuries after the Jews came into the land of
Canaan. It symbolized their poverty and homelessness during the days of the
wanderings after God delivered them from Egypt. (See further comment in
Leviticus 23.)
In later centuries, the Jews established other special feasts: the Feast of Purim,
celebrating God's deliverance through Esther and Mordecai, and centuries later
following the triumph over Antiochus Epiphanes which permitted the reopening of
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the Temple and the reading of the Torah, they established the Feast of Lights (circa
164 B.C.)
ELLICOTT, "(12) And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month . . . —See
Leviticus 23:33-36; Leviticus 23:39-43. A larger number of burnt offerings was
appointed for this feast than for any other festival. Seventy oxen in all were to be
offered on the seven days of the feast, the number being diminished by one daily—
viz., thirteen on the first day, twelve on the second, eleven on the third, and in like
manner until the seventh day, on which seven oxen, the perfect number, were to be
offered. In addition to the oxen, two rams and fourteen lambs were to be offered
daily as burnt offerings, and a he-goat as a sin offering, in addition to the daily
burnt offering. The appointed meal offerings and drink offerings were to be offered
with all the burnt offerings. The large number of the sacrifices offered at this time
may be accounted for from the consideration that at this feast the people not only
expressed their gratitude for the Divine presence and protection, but also for the
rich fruits of the harvest which had been recently ingathered.
PETT, "Verses 12-40
The Feast Of The Harvest Moon - Tabernacles (Numbers 29:12-40).
The climax of the festival year was the Feast of Tabernacles. It was at that feast that
every seven years the whole of Israel were to gather for the reading of the full
covenant (Deuteronomy 31:10-13). It was to include men, women, children and
resident aliens. But every year it was to be special. The multiplicity of offerings
including seventy young ox bulls, fourteen rams and ninety eight (seven times seven
times 2) he-lambs brings this out. It was to be the climax to the agricultural year. All
the harvests would have been gathered in, and the next thing would be the
ploughing and preparation of the ground once the rains came.
Thus it was a time for relaxation and rejoicing (Leviticus 23:40; Deuteronomy
16:13-15)). But again the emphasis here is on the depth of dedication and tribute.
The gradual decrease of ox bulls from thirteen to seven might have been seen as a
diminution in importance had it not ended on the sacred number seven, but as it did
that makes it appear as though the sequence leads up to it! On the last of the seven
days was the divinely perfect ox bull offering. (Incidentally this completely destroys
any belief that the number thirteen was unlucky! Thirteen began the divine
sequence).
It was called ‘Tabernacles’ (dwellingplaces) because at that time every one had to
live in booths made of boughs of trees and palm branches (Leviticus 23:42). This
was to be a reminder of how Israel had had to live in booths once they left Egypt
(Leviticus 23:43). Its recognition of rain as a gift from God is implied in Zechariah
14:16-17.
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Each of the days of this Feast follow the same pattern as the other feasts, but with
an increase in the offerings.
Day One.
a The fifteenth day of the seventh month to be a holy convocation with no manner of
work and a feast to be kept for seven days (Numbers 29:12).
b Whole burnt offerings to be offered of thirteen young ox bulls and two rams and
fourteen he-lambs to Yahweh as a pleasing odour (Numbers 29:13).
c The grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers
29:14-15).
a This to be offered beside the continual whole burnt offering with its grain and
drink offering (Numbers 29:16 b).
Day Two.
a On the second day (Numbers 29:17 a).
b Whole burnt offerings to be offered of twelve young ox bulls and two rams and
fourteen he-lambs to Yahweh (Numbers 29:17 b).
c The grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers 29:18).
Day Three.
a On the third day (Numbers 29:20 a).
b Whole burnt offerings of eleven young ox bulls and two rams and fourteen he-
lambs to be offered to Yahweh (Numbers 29:20 b).
23

Day Four.
a On the fourth day (Numbers 29:23 a).
b Whole burnt offerings of ten young ox bulls and two rams and fourteen he-lambs
to be offered to Yahweh (Numbers 29:23 b).
Day Five.
a On the fifth day (Numbers 29:26 a).
b Whole burnt offerings to be offered of nine young ox bulls and two rams and
Day Six.
a On the sixth day (Numbers 29:29 a).
b Whole burnt offerings to be offered of eight young ox bulls and two rams and
Day Seven.
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a On the seventh day (Numbers 29:32 a).
b Whole burnt offerings to be offered of seven young ox bulls and two rams and
Day Eight.
a On the eighth day, a solemn assembly, no servile work (Numbers 29:35)
b Whole burnt offerings to be offered of one young ox bull and one ram and seven
he-lambs to Yahweh (Numbers 29:36).
The whole is then completed with a summary which may be paralleled with
Numbers 28:1.
The First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles.
Numbers 29:12
‘And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation.
You shall do no servile work, and you shall keep a feast to Yahweh seven days,’
On the first day, fourteen days after the new moon day, it was to be a solemn
convocation, a day on which no servile work should be done, ready for keeping a
feast to Yahweh for seven days (a divinely perfect time).
TRAPP, "Numbers 29:12 And on 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:
Ver. 12. And on the fifteenth.] See Leviticus 23:34-35, &c., {See Trapp on "Leviticus
25

23:34"} &c There the feasts were prescribed, and here the sacrifices belonging to
them are described.
WHEDON, "Verses 12-40
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES — SACRIFICES, Numbers 29:12-40.
The cycle of Jewish feasts culminated in this, the grandest and most joyful of all.
While the number of lambs and rams 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 week, so distributed that there were
thirteen offered on the first day, twelve on the second, and so on, till there were only
seven, the sacred number, on the seventh day. This multiplication of sacrifices was
adapted to the rich harvest of splendid and costly fruits which they had just
gathered: it constituted a suitable expression of the nation’s gratitude to Jehovah,
the bountiful Giver. The burnt offerings, symbols of the people’s blessedness, all
rested on the basis of the sin offering, prefiguring that all acceptable praise must
rest upon the great sin offering, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20; Hebrews 13:5.
food offering consisting of a burnt offering of
thirteen young bulls, two rams and fourteen male
lambs a year old, all without defect.
GILL, "And ye shall offer a burnt offering,.... That is, on the first of the
seven days, which was as follows:
thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year, they
shall be without blemish; a very large sacrifice indeed, for these were
offered besides one kid of the goats, for a sin offering, and the two lambs of
the daily sacrifice, which were not omitted on account of this extraordinary
offering; so that there were no less than thirty two animals sacrificed on
this day: the meat and drink offerings for each, according to the kind of
them, were as usual, and as before frequently observed; and the same
sacrifices, meat offerings, and drink offerings, were offered on the six
26

following days of the feast, only with this difference, that there was one
bullock less every day; which it is thought may denote the decrease of sin in
the people, and so an increase of holiness, or rather the gradual waxing old
and vanishing away of the ceremonial law, and the sacrifices of it; and these
bullocks ending in the number seven, which is a number may lead us to
think of the great sacrifice these all typified, whereby Christ has perfected
them that are sanctified.
COKE, "Verses 13-38
Numbers 29:13-38. Thirteen young bullocks, two rams, &c.— On other festivals two
bullocks sufficed; but here are no less than thirteen, and so they continued to be
offered seven days successively, with a decrease only of one bullock every day, till,
on the seventh day, only seven bullocks were offered, which, in all, made seventy
bullocks. The rams also were in a double proportion to what was usual. This was a
vast charge; but more easy at this time of the year than any other; for this was a
time of leisure and plenty; their barns were full, their presses burst forth with new
wine; and their hearts were enlarged with joy and thankfulness to God for the
blessings of the harvest. Yet this troublesome and expensive service made their
religion a very grievous yoke, under which the best men among them groaned,
longing for the coming of the Messiah. Though the last day of the feast was the most
solemn, (see Leviticus 23:36.) yet fewer victims are prescribed to be offered upon
this day, than upon any of the foregoing; which served both to render the public
worship less toilsome and expensive, and to put them in mind, that it was not the
multitude of sacrifices which procured their acceptance with God, but the sacrifice
of the heart; and that the day would come, when the most precious and costly
sacrifices would be abolished, and give place to something far better. It is
remarkable, that the offering for sin (Numbers 29:38.) is never omitted upon any
festival, to remind them that they were all guilty before God, and that their best
services stood in need of forgiveness. The Jews, unable at present to offer these
additional sacrifices, in order to supply the deficiency, add to their ordinary
prayers, at this season, extraordinary ones, morning, noon, and evening, which they
call musaphim.
‘And you shall offer a whole burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasing
odour to Yahweh; thirteen young ox bulls, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old;
they shall be without blemish; and their grain offering, milled grain mingled with
oil, three tenth parts for every ox bull of the thirteen ox bulls, two tenth parts for
each ram of the two rams, and a tenth part for every lamb of the fourteen lambs.’
And on that first day thirteen young ox bulls, two rams, and fourteen he-lambs a
year old, all without blemish, were to be offered as whole burnt offerings with their
smoke and pleasing odour going up to Yahweh together with their accompanying
grain offerings.
27

POOLE, " Thirteen young bullocks; more sacrifices than at any other feast, partly
because this feast was in the close of the year, when it was meet to supply the defects
of the year past, and when they had gathered in all their fruits, Deuteronomy
16:13,15 and therefore ought to make the larger returns and acknowledgment to
God; partly because it was God’s pleasure so to order it, for reasons known to
himself, in whose will we ought to acquiesce. And the same reason holds why these
sacrifices grew fewer and fewer every day.
14 With each of the thirteen bulls offer a grain
offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest
flour mixed with oil; with each of the two rams,
two-tenths;
15 and with each of the fourteen lambs, one-tenth.
addition to the regular burnt offering with its
grain offering and drink offering.
PETT, "Numbers 29:16
‘And one he-goat for a purification for sin offering, besides the continual whole
burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offering.’
And as regularly on a feast day a he-goat for a purification for sin offering was also
to be offered on behalf of the whole of Israel, as on the Day of Atonement. Each
offering of such a he-goat looked off to that day and what was accomplished there,
and brought up to date its effectiveness.
The same procedure would apply each day through the seven days, with the number
of ox bulls offered falling by one until on the seventh day it had become ‘seven’.
This sequence is now given.
28

17 “‘On the second day offer twelve young bulls,
two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all
without defect.
PETT, "The Following Six Days of the Feast (Numbers 29:17-34).
Numbers 29:17-19
‘And on the second day you shall offer twelve young ox bulls, two rams, fourteen he-
lambs a year old without blemish; and their grain offering and their drink-offerings
for the ox bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after
the ordinance; and one he-goat for a purification for sin offering; besides the
continual whole burnt offering, and its grain offering, and their drink-offerings.’
TRAPP, "Numbers 29:17 And on the second day [ye shall offer] twelve young
bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
Ver. 17. And on the second day ye shall offer twelve, &c.] In every of these seven
days sacrifices, one bullock is abated: hereby the Holy Ghost might teach them their
duty, to grow in grace and increase in sanctification, that their sins decreasing, the
number of their sacrifices, whereby atonement was made for their sins, should also
decrease daily. Or it might signify a diminishing and wearing away of the legal
offerings, &c., as one well observeth; Hac caeremonia significabat Deus gratiam
suam de die in diem crescere, ita nempe ut minuatur vetus homo, et novus augeatur,
&c., saith Alsted, - till the very ruins of Satan’s castles be, as most of our old castles
are, almost brought to ruin.
18 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their
grain offerings and drink offerings according to
the number specified.
29

TRAPP, "Numbers 29:18 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the
bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, [shall be] according to their number, after
the manner:
Ver. 18. After the manner.] That is, in manner and form aforesaid. The manner is
that which makes or mars the action; as a good suit may be marred in the making,
so a good duty: there may be malum opus in bona materia. Jehu’s zeal was
rewarded as an act of justice, quoad substantiam operis; and punished as an act of
policy, quoad modum agendi, for the perverse end. Yea, David, for failing in a
ceremony only, though with an honest heart, suffered a breach instead of a blessing.
[1 Chronicles 15:13] Idolaters also went on in their own manner as their idol priests
prescribed. "The manner of Beersheba liveth"; [Amos 8:14] that is, the form of rites
of the worshipping in Beersheba, as the Chaldee paraphraseth.
grain offering, and their drink offerings.
20 “‘On the third day offer eleven bulls, two rams
and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without
defect.
‘And on the third day eleven ox bulls, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old
without blemish; and their grain offering and their drink-offerings for the ox bulls,
one he-goat for a purification for sin offering; besides the continual whole burnt
offering, and its grain offering, and its drink-offering.’
30

23 “‘On the fourth day offer ten bulls, two rams
defect.
‘And on the fourth day ten ox bulls, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old without
blemish; their grain offering and their drink-offerings for the ox bulls, for the rams,
and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; and one he-goat
for a purification for sin offering; besides the continual whole burnt offering, its
grain offering, and its drink-offering.’
26 “‘On the fifth day offer nine bulls, two rams
31

defect.
‘And on the fifth day nine ox bulls, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old without
blemish; and their grain offering and their drink-offerings for the ox bulls, for the
he-goat for a purification for sin offering, besides the continual whole burnt
offering, and its grain offering, and its drink-offering.’
29 “‘On the sixth day offer eight bulls, two rams
defect.
‘And on the sixth day eight ox bulls, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old without
blemish; and their grain offering and their drink-offerings for the ox bulls, for the
he-goat for a purification for sin offering; besides the continual whole burnt
offering, its grain offering, and the its drink-offerings.’
32

32 “‘On the seventh day offer seven bulls, two
rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all
without defect.
BARNES, "Feast of tabernacles: compare Lev_23:33 ff. The offerings
required at this feast were the largest of all. It was especially one of
thankfulness to God for the gift of the fruits of the earth; and the quantity
and the nature of the offerings (see Num_29:7-11) were determined
accordingly.
Num_29:32
Stress is laid on the number seven, the holy symbolic covenant number, by
way of intimation that the mercies of the harvest accrued by virtue of God’s
covenant. The diminishing number of bullocks sacrificed on the preceding
days of the Feast (compare Num_29:13, Num_29:17, etc.), is adjusted
simply to obtain the coincidence before us on the seventh day; but some
have thought that the gradual evanescence of the Law until the time of its
absorption in the Gospel is here presignified in the Law itself.
‘And on the seventh day seven ox bulls, two rams, fourteen he-lambs a year old
without blemish; and their grain offering and their drink-offerings for the ox bulls,
one he-goat for a purification for sin offering; besides the continual whole burnt
offering, its grain offering, and its drink-offering.’
33

Thus on the seventh day the ox bull offerings have reached the divinely perfect
seven. This was where such a count had to stop. It was not possible to go beyond
‘seven’. It indicated divine perfection. Quantity has been replaced by quality. Now
the feast could end, followed by a special day which was not part of the sequence.
35 “‘On the eighth day hold a closing special
assembly and do no regular work.
BARNES 35-38, "The offerings prescribed for the closing day of the Feast
of tabernacles were the same with those appointed for the Feast of
Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. The solemnities of the month thus
terminated, as
A whole, with the same sacrifices with which, three weeks before, they
had been introduced; and the Day of Atonement, even though succeeded by
the rejoicings of the Feast of tabernacles, thus left its impress on the whole
month.
CLARKE, "On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly - This
among the Jews was esteemed the chief or high day of the feast, though
fewer sacrifices were offered on it than on the others; the people seem to
have finished the solemnity with a greater measure of spiritual devotion,
and it was on this day of the feast that our blessed Lord called the Jews from
the letter to the spirit of the law, proposing himself as the sole fountain
whence they could derive the streams of salvation, Joh_7:37. On the subject
of this chapter see the notes on Lev_12:1-8 (note), Leviticus 16 (note),
34

Leviticus 23 (note).
GILL, "On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly,.... The day after
the seven days of the feast of tabernacles were ended; for this was not
properly a part of that feast, but was a sort of appendage to it:
ye shall do no servile work therein; See Gill on Lev_23:36.
JAMISON 35-40, "On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly — The
feast of tabernacles was brought to a close on the eighth day, which was the
great day (Joh_7:37). Besides the common routine sacrifices, there were
special offerings appointed for that day though these were fewer than on
any of the preceding days; and there were also, as was natural on that
occasion when vast multitudes were convened for a solemn religious
purpose, many spontaneous gifts and services, so that there was full scope
for the exercise of a devout spirit in the people, both for their obedience to
the statutory offerings, and by the presentation of those which were made
by free will or in consequence of vows.
K&D 35-38, "The eighth day was to be azereth, a closing feast, and only
belonged to the feast of Tabernacles so far as the Sabbath rest and a holy
meeting of the seventh feast-day were transferred to it; whilst, so far as its
sacrifices were concerned, it resembled the seventh new moon's day and the
day of atonement, and was thus shown to be the octave or close of the
second festal circle (see at Lev_23:36).
ELLICOTT, "(35) On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly.—Or, closing
feast day. The word azereth, which is here and in the parallel passage in Leviticus
23:36 (comp. Nehemiah 8:18; 2 Chronicles 7:9) rendered “solemn assembly,” is used
in Deuteronomy 16:8 of the seventh or closing day of the Feast of the Passover. It is
used in Jeremiah 9:2 and Amos 5:2 in a more general manner. In the former of
these passages it is used of an assembly or confederacy of false dealers, and in the
latter it appears to include solemn festivals generally, without limitation to the last
day of their duration. The primary notion appears to be that of restraint—i.e., from
the performance of servile work. The sacrifices of the eighth day were the same as
those which were appointed for the first day of the seventh month, i.e., the Feast of
Trumpets, and also for the tenth day, or Day of Atonement. (See Leviticus 23:36,
and Note.)
PETT, "The Eighth Day of the Feast (Numbers 29:35-40).
35

This was the end of the festal season. Ahead lay the coming of rain (possibly in
October onwards for the early rains, softening up the ground, a sprinkling of rain
through the winter, and around March/April for the later rains) and the hard work
of preparing the ground for the following year’s harvests. It is not therefore
surprising that the feast later became a part plea for rain, and that the eighth day
especially had that in mind and was called ‘the great day of the feast’ (John 7:37).
Numbers 29:35-37
‘On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly: you shall do no servile work,
but you shall offer a whole burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasing
odour to Yahweh: one ox bull, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish;
their grain offering and their drink-offerings for the ox bull, for the ram, and for
the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the ordinance,’
Like the first day the eight day was to be a day of no servile work, the last of the
seven special such days. It was to be a day of solemn assembly. The offerings on the
eighth day parallel the offerings at the feast of trumpets and on the Day of
Atonement. It was not therefore just a continuation on from the seventh day. The
sudden fall in offerings (although still munificent) would remind them of the first
ten days of the month when sin had been mourned for and atonement obtained.
Now they could go forward ready for what lay ahead.
WHEDON, " 35. The eighth day — This in later times was called the great day of
the feast, (John 7:37,) but it belonged to it only as the sabbath rest and holy meeting
of the seventh day were transferred to it. In point of sacrifice it was like the first and
the tenth day of the seventh month. Leviticus 23:36, note. In Leviticus 23:36, a
Hebrew word of doubtful meaning is added, which in the margin of the Revision is
rendered “a closing festival,” inasmuch as it closed not only that particular feast,
but the whole series for the year. The joy attending the celebration of this feast is
indicated in Psalms 42:4, and Isaiah 30:29. It was the occasion of prophetic
addresses also; Haggai 2:1, and Isaiah 29 and Isaiah 32:9, to the end. The most
significant of all allusions to this feast is that in Isaiah 12:3, which points to the
typical meaning of the daily ceremony of pouring on the altar water drawn from the
pool of Siloam. This custom is enforced by our Lord in John 7:37-39. For the great
future feast of tabernacles see Revelation 7:9.
food offering consisting of a burnt offering of one
36

bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all
without defect.
GILL 36-38, "But ye shall offer a burnt offering,.... Which was the same that
was offered on the first and tenth days of this month, Num_29:2 and the
meat and drink offerings for each of the creatures were the same, as often
expressed; and on this day a goat for a sin offering was also offered, besides
the daily sacrifice, and what went along with that.
POOLE, " This was the last and great day of the feast, as it is called John 7:37, and
yet the sacrifices were fewer than any other day, to teach them not to trust to the
multitude of their sacrifices, nor to expect remission of sins from them, but from the
one and only sacrifice of Christ.
37 With the bull, the ram and the lambs, offer
their grain offerings and drink offerings
according to the number specified.
‘And one he-goat for a purification for sin offering, besides the continual whole
burnt offering, and its grain offering, and its drink-offering.’
As on all special days when the whole burnt offerings were offered there was a
purification for sin offering of a he-goat. Sin was always present and required to be
forgiven and purified. Also was offered the continual whole burnt offering, and its
grain offering, and its drink-offering, which would go on throughout the year (as
would the new moon and Sabbath offerings).
37

This description of the dedication and tribute offerings at the feasts, deliberately
ignoring all other offerings and sacrifices apart from the accompanying purification
for sin offerings and continual daily whole burnt offerings, is in order to stress the
fullness of Israel’s dedication to Yahweh at this point in time. It is because they are
so dedicated that they are ready to enter the land.
39 “‘In addition to what you vow and your
freewill offerings, offer these to the Lord at your
appointed festivals: your burnt offerings, grain
offerings, drink offerings and fellowship
offerings.’”
GILL, "These things ye shall do to the Lord, in your set feasts,.... Or rather
in the times set and appointed to you, as the Jewish writers (o) interpret it;
and so Jarchi interprets it of a fixed time, which seems better; since these
were not all feast days, on which the above sacrifices were to be offered, for
one of them was a fast, even the day of atonement:
besides your vows, and your freewill offerings: which might be offered up at
any time, notwithstanding the above sacrifices, which were necessary and
obligatory; but these were at their own option:
for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and your drink
offerings, and for your peace offerings; of which see Lev_7:11.
K&D, "The sacrifices already mentioned were to be presented to the Lord
on the part of the congregation, in addition to the burnt-offerings, meat-
offerings, drink-offerings, and peace-offerings which individuals or families
might desire to offer either spontaneously or in consequence of vows. On
the vowing of burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, see Num_15:3, Num_
15:8; Lev_22:18, Lev_22:21.
COFFMAN, "CERTIFICATION AS GOD'S WORD
"These ye shall offer unto Jehovah in your set feasts, besides your vows, and your
freewill-offerings, for your burnt-offerings, and your meal-offerings, and your
drink-offerings, and for your peace-offerings. And Moses told the children of Israel
according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses."
38

The Bible is utterly unlike any other book in that God is emphatically and
continually declared to be the author of "all of it." That Jesus Christ our holy
Savior who is God come in the flesh did indeed accept these books as the writings of
Moses and at the same time as what "God said" must continue to be honored. Sir
Isaac Newton pointed out that Jesus flatly declared that if a person will not believe
Moses and the Prophets, "he would not believe if one rose from the dead." In a
practical sense, that means that it is a lost cause to try to convince professional
"unbelievers" of the truth of these magnificent chapters. Believers in Christ have no
trouble whatever with believing what is written here. Some scholars for reasons
apparent to believers would like to remove the attestation in Numbers 29:40 to some
other location, but we accept its present place as appropriate.
COKE, "Numbers 29:39. These things ye shall do unto the Lord, &c.— These are
the particulars of the national and stated sacrifices which were to be provided at the
public charge; besides which, there were several other kinds of offerings from
persons by way of vow, free will, or on other special emergencies; and it appears by
this account, that there were every year sacrificed, at the tabernacle and temple, at
the stated national charge, eleven hundred and one lambs, one hundred and thirty-
two bullocks, seventy-two rams, twenty-one kids, and fifteen goats, adding to the
thirteen which are specified in this chapter the two on the day of expiation; besides
which, there was a vast number of voluntary vow and trespass offerings, which
cannot be computed.
REFLECTIONS.—The feast of tabernacles, on the 17th day of the month, was kept
with every demonstration of joy, and well it becometh those to rejoice, whose sin is
forgiven, and whose iniquity is pardoned. The feast lasted seven days, during which
there were many and expensive sacrifices; and with every day's service, a continual
sacrifice of atonement was offered, besides the daily burnt-offerings. Our most
expensive services have no acceptableness before God, farther than the blood of
atonement accompanies them.
ELLICOTT, " (39) These things ye shall do unto the Lord in your set feasts.—
Better, These sacrifices shall ye offer unto the Lord at your set seasons.
For your burnt offerings . . . —The sacrifices prescribed in this chapter were
appointed to be offered independently of all the burnt offerings, meal offerings,
drink offerings, and peace offerings, which were made in performance of special
vows, or as freewill offerings. (See Leviticus 22:18-21; Numbers 15:1-13.)
‘These you shall offer to Yahweh in your set feasts, besides your vows, and your
freewill-offerings, for your whole burnt offerings, and for your grain offerings, and
39

for your drink-offerings, and for your peace-offerings.’
Summing up the writer now points out that personal dedication offerings have not
been mentioned. This was ‘besides your vows and your freewill offerings’. Those
two types of dedication would have been common throughout the feasts, and on
those freewill offerings much of the feasting would depend, for the large part of the
meat from those offerings could be eaten by all who were clean. Mention is also
made of all peace/wellbeing offerings, of which votary offerings and freewill
offerings would be a part (see Leviticus 7:11-21). All backed up these special
dedication offerings of the whole of Israel.
This therefore now leads on to the question of vows in the next chapter, for those
were a necessary part of Israel’s dedication. Such vows have already been touched
on in terms of the Nazirite vows (Numbers 6:1-21). But there were also lesser vows,
both in respect to wealth and in respect to personal living, and they too had to be
controlled.
WHEDON, "39. Beside your vows — The sacrifices in this chapter and the last were
set feasts for the entire nation, and were exclusive of the countless individual and
family offerings. For burnt offerings and peace offerings vowed, see Numbers 15:3;
Numbers 15:8; Leviticus 22:18; Leviticus 22:21, notes. Numbers 29:40 shows that
this whole system of sacrifices rests on the basis of divine authority.
40 Moses told the Israelites all that the Lord
commanded him.[f]
GILL, "And Moses told the children of Israel,.... All these things; repeated
the several laws unto them concerning the above sacrifices, with the
additions unto them, and explanations of them:
according to all that the Lord commanded Moses; being a faithful servant to
the Lord in all his house, and in all things appertaining to it.
K&D, "Num_29:40 forms the conclusion of the list of sacrifices in ch. 28
and 29.
ELLICOTT, "40) And Moses told the children of Israel . . . —In the Hebrew Bible
this verse forms the beginning of the 30th chapter.
40

‘And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that Yahweh commanded
Moses.’
So Moses passed on Yahweh’s words and informed them of all that He had
commanded them.
41

Numbers 29 commentary

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Numbers 29 commentary