Numbers 29 commentary

NUMBERS 29 COMMENTARYEDITED BY GLENN PEASE

The Festival of Trumpets1 “‘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 monthsin 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 monthconsisted 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 1-6Chapter 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 Atonement7 “‘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"}

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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 7-11OFFERINGS 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.PETT, "Numbers 29:8-11‘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

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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 Tabernacles12 “‘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

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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

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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 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 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, 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, 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.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 12-40The 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).b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering (Numbers 29:16 a).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).b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering (Numbers 29:19 a).a This to be offered beside the continual whole burnt offering with its grain and drink offering (Numbers 29:19 b).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).c The grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers 29:21).b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering (Numbers 29:22 a).a This to be offered beside the continual whole burnt offering with its grain and

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drink offering (Numbers 29:22 b).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).c The grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers 29:24).b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering (Numbers 29:25 a).a This to be offered beside the continual whole burnt offering with its grain and drink offering (Numbers 29:25 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 fourteen he-lambs to Yahweh (Numbers 29:26 b).c The grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers 29:27).b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering (Numbers 29:28 a).a This to be offered beside the continual whole burnt offering with its grain and drink offering (Numbers 29:28 b).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 fourteen he-lambs to Yahweh (Numbers 29:29 b).c The grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers 29:30).b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering (Numbers 29:31 a).a This to be offered beside the continual whole burnt offering with its grain and drink offering (Numbers 29:31 b).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 fourteen he-lambs to Yahweh (Numbers 29:32 b).c The grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers 29:33).b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering (Numbers 29:34 a).a This to be offered beside the continual whole burnt offering with its grain and drink offering (Numbers 29:34 b).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).c The grain offerings to be offered with the whole burnt offerings (Numbers 29:37).b A he-goat to be offered as a purification for sin offering (Numbers 29:38 a).a This to be offered beside the continual whole burnt offering with its grain and drink offering (Numbers 29:38 b).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

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23:34"} &c There the feasts were prescribed, and here the sacrifices belonging to them are described.

WHEDON, "Verses 12-40THE 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.

13 Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord a 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

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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 13-38Numbers 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. PETT, "Numbers 29:13-15‘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.

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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. 16 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in 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.

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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.

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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.

19 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its 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.

PETT, "Numbers 29:20-22‘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, 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 its drink-offering.’

21 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to 30

the number specified. 22 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.23 “‘On the fourth day offer ten bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.

PETT, "Numbers 29:23-25‘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.’

24 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 25 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.26 “‘On the fifth day offer nine bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without

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defect.

PETT, "Numbers 29:26-28‘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 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 its drink-offering.’

27 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 28 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.29 “‘On the sixth day offer eight bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.

PETT, "Numbers 29:29-31‘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 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 the its drink-offerings.’

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30 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 31 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.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.

PETT, "Numbers 29:32-33‘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, 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.’

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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.

33 With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 34 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.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),

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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.

36 Present as an aroma pleasing to the Lord a 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. 38 Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

PETT, "Numbers 29:38‘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).

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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."

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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.)PETT, "Numbers 29:39‘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

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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.

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PETT, "Numbers 29:40‘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.

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