Numbers 28 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

A.M. 2552. B.C. 1452.

Laws concerning the daily, Numbers 28:1-8; weekly, Numbers 28:9; Numbers 28:10; monthly, Numbers 28:11-15; yearly sacrifices, Numbers 28:16-31.

Command the children of Israel God here repeats some of the former laws about sacrifices, not without great reason; 1st, Because they had been generally discontinued for thirty-eight years together. 2d, Because the generation to which the former laws had been given about these things was wholly dead, and it was fit the new generation should be instructed about them, as their parents were. 3d, To renew the testimonies of God's grace and mercy, notwithstanding their frequent forfeitures thereof by their rebellion. And, 4th, and principally, Because they were now ready to enter into that land, in which they were obliged to put these things in practice. It is observable that God commands Moses to repeat them in the following order of daily, weekly, monthly, and anniversary sacrifices.

Two lambs day by day This first national sacrifice was to be offered every day, morning and evening, throughout the whole year, Exodus 12:5; Exodus 29:38.

Which was ordained on mount Sinai This shows that he speaks to those who were so young at the first institution of these laws, that they gave little heed to them, or had forgotten them.

In the holy place Upon the altar of burnt-offerings, which was in the court of the priests, nigh to the entrance into the sanctuary, (Exodus 29:42,) and was, with respect to those places of the camp, which were more remote from the tabernacle, the holy place. Strong wine to be poured unto the Lord The original word signifies any strong drink: it was not necessary it should be wine of grapes; it might be made of dates, or other fruits. But it behooved that it should be the best of the kind; it being but reasonable that the best should be offered to God.

On the sabbath two lambs The second stated and national sacrifice was weekly. On this day the burnt-offerings and meat-offerings are ordered to be double.

In the beginning of your months The third stated sacrifice was monthly, to be offered on the first day of every month. This sacrifice to God is thought to have been ordained in opposition to the idolatry of the Gentiles, who were wont to worship the new moon with great rejoicings. Besides the celebration of the new moon by sacrifices, and sound of trumpet, (Numbers 10:10,) the Jews were wont upon those days to assemble for receiving instruction from their prophets, (2 Kings 4:23,) and to feast together, 1 Samuel 20:5; 1 Samuel 20:18. And it was customary on those days to shut up their shops, and abstain from ordinary and servile labour, as is hinted Amos 8:5.

The fourteenth day of the first month The fourth stated and national sacrifice was annual, namely, the great passover festival, with the feast of unleavened bread annexed to it. In the fifteenth day On the fourteenth day at even the passover was kept; and the next day began the feast of unleavened bread, Leviticus 23:6.

In the morning And that in the evening too, as is evident from other passages of Scripture. But the morning sacrifice alone is mentioned, both because the celebration of the feast began with it, and because this alone was doubtful whether this might not be omitted, when so many other sacrifices were offered in that morning: whereas, there was no question but the evening sacrifice should be offered, when there were none other to be offered. This solemn festival was designed as an acknowledgment of God's goodness in bringing them out of Egypt, and making them a free people; which was the foundation of all their future blessings.

Also in the day of the first-fruits In the feast of pentecost, Acts 2:1. The weeks The seven weeks which you are to number from the passover. This fifth stated and national sacrifice was also annual, namely, at the harvest festival, when the first-fruits of corn were to be offered up, Exodus 23:16. This festival was two-fold; first, the barley- harvest first-fruits, beginning at the passover; and then, at seven weeks' end, the wheat-harvest festival, called the feast of weeks, which is here intended. When ye bring a new meat or bread-offering That is, two loaves made of the first wheat flour, as the first-fruits of the said wheat- harvest.

Ye shall offer the burnt-offering The same as in the new moon, Numbers 28:11. To reconcile this verse with Leviticus 23:18, see the note on that verse.