And in the beginnings of your months, ye shall offer— As the first stated sacrifice was daily, Numbers 28:3 the second weekly, Numbers 28:9 so the third was monthly, to be offered upon the first day of every month: and it is thought by some to have been ordained in opposition to the idolatry of the Gentiles, who were wont to worship the new moon with great rejoicings. See Spencer, de Leg. Heb. lib. 3: Dissert. 4. But as one of the most natural divisions of time is by the periodical revolutions of the moon, which, in the more serene climates, could be easily observed by all; so it is not improbable, as Le Clerc has well remarked, that the solemn celebration of the new moon, in honour of the true God, was in use even before the rise of idolatry, and might make a part of the patriarchal religion; consequently, this law of Moses may be considered only as the revival of a primitive sacred institution, which idolatry had abused to superstition. Besides the celebration of the new moons by sacrifices and the sound of trumpets, ch. Numbers 10:10 the Jews were wont upon these days to assemble for receiving instruction from their prophets, Exodus 4:23 to feast and make merry together, 1 Samuel 5:12; 1 Samuel 5:12 and it was customary on those days to shut up shop, and abstain from ordinary servile labour, as is hinted, Amos 8:5. See Goodwin's Moses and Aaron, b. 3: ch. 7. We find the first day of the month was much observed among the heathens. The Athenians had a law to offer sacrifices upon the new moons; and Plutarch says it was a most holy day, ιεροτατη ημερα; and on it they were wont to go up to the Acropolis, there to pray for the public welfare of the city, as well as for their own private happiness. See S. Petit. Comment. in Leg. Atticas.
Related Commentaries of Numbers 28:11
Numbers 28:11
11 And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;