Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 28:9
And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
The Sabbath-offering, not previously enjoined, consisted of two lambs, properly accompanied, in addition to the regular daily offering.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Two lambs, besides that for the daily sacrifice, Num 28:10.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9, 10. This is the burnt offering ofevery sabbathThere is no previous mention of a Sabbath burntoffering, which was additional to the daily sacrifices.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot,…. Just such as were appointed for the daily sacrifice:
and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil; that is, two tenth parts of an ephah of flour mixed with two fourth parts of an hin of oil; of oil olive, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it, which is always meant, wherever oil is mentioned; which made one meat offering to them doubled for both lambs, or two meat offerings of the same quantity with those of the daily sacrifice, one for one lamb, and the other for the other:
and the drink offering thereof: which was of a like quantity of wine doubled, in proportion to the meat offering; when these lambs, with the meat and drink offerings, were offered up, is not said, whether the one in the morning after, and the other in the evening before the daily sacrifice, which is not improbable, or both together.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Sabbath-offering, which was to be added to the daily sacrifice ( , upon it), consisted of two yearling lambs as a burnt-offering, with the corresponding meat-offering and drink-offering, according to the general rule laid down in Num 15:3., and is appointed here for the first time; whereas the sabbatical feast had already been instituted at Exo 20:8-11 and Lev 23:3. “ The burnt-offering of the Sabbath on its Sabbath,” i.e., as often as the Sabbath occurred, every Sabbath.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: 10 This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. 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; 12 And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram; 13 And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 14 And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year. 15 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
The new moons and the sabbaths are often spoken of together, as great solemnities in the Jewish church, very comfortable to the saints then, and typical of gospel grace. Now we have here the sacrifices appointed, 1. For the sabbaths. Every sabbath day the offering must be doubled; besides the two lambs offered for the daily burnt-offering, there must be two more offered, one (it is probable) added to the morning sacrifice, and the other to the evening, Num 28:9; Num 28:10. This teaches us to double our devotions on sabbath days, for so the duty of the day requires. The sabbath rest is to be observed, in order to a more close application to the sabbath work, which ought to fill up sabbath time. In Ezekiel’s temple-service, which points at gospel times, the sabbath offerings were to be six lambs and a ram, with their meat-offerings, and drink-offerings (Eze 46:4; Eze 46:5), to intimate not only the continuance, but the advancement, of sabbath sanctification in the days of the Messiah. This is the burnt-offering of the sabbath in his sabbath, so it is in the original, v. 10. We must do every sabbath day’s work in its day, studying to redeem every minute of sabbath time as those that believe it precious; and not thinking to put off one sabbath’s work to another, for sufficient to every sabbath is the service thereof. 2. For the new moons. Some suggest that, as the sabbath was kept with an eye to the creation of the world, so the new moons were sanctified with an eye to the divine providence, which appoints the moon for seasons, guiding the revolutions of time by its changes, and governing sublunary bodies (as many think) by its influences. Though we observe not any feast of new moons, yet we must not forget to give God the glory of all the precious things put forth by the moon which he has established for ever, a faithful witness in heaven, Ps. lxxxix. 37. The offerings in the new moons were very considerable, two bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs, with the meat-offerings and drink-offerings that were to attend them (v. 11, c.), besides a sin-offering, <i>v. 15. For, when we give glory to God by confessing his mercies, we must give glory to him likewise by confessing our own sins; and, when we rejoice in the gifts of common providence, we must make the sacrifice of Christ, that great gift of special grace, the fountain and spring-head of our joy. Some have questioned whether the new moons were to be reckoned among their feasts; but why should they not, when, besides the special sacrifices which were then to be offered, they rested from servile works (Amos viii. 5), blew the trumpets (ch. x. 10), and went to the prophets to hear the word? 2 Kings iv. 23. And the worship performed in the new moons is made typical of gospel solemnities, Isa. lxvi. 23.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 9, 10:
This text is the first mention of the Sabbath offering. The sacrifices of this occasion were to be double that of the daily sacrifices. This illustrates the importance of the Sabbath in the Divine plan for Israel.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
9. And on the Sabbath-day. What was omitted in the former passage is here supplied, i.e., that on the Sabbath the continual sacrifice was to be doubled, and two lambs offered instead of one; for it was reasonable that, as the seventh day was peculiarly dedicated to God, it should be exalted above other days by some extraordinary and distinctive mark. He also commands greater sacrifices to be offered at the beginning of the month or new moon, viz., two bullocks and one ram, and a goat for a sin-offering; for we know that the first day of every month was consecrated to God, that the people might more frequently have the remembrance of their religious duties renewed; and the goat for an atonement for sin was added, in order that every month they should present themselves as guilty before God to deprecate His wrath.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
B. OFFERINGS ON THE SABBATH vv. 9, 10
TEXT
Num. 28:9. And on the sabbath day the two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: 10. This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
PARAPHRASE
Num. 28:9. On the Sabbath day two lambs, yearlings without defects, and two-tenths of a measure of flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, and its drink offering. 10. This is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.
COMMENTARY
On the sabbath, provisions for the offerings were doubled. The inference of the instructions in Num. 28:9-10 is that the two lambs offered are in addition to the daily quota, and that they would follow the daily offering. The order appears here for the first time. The literal meaning of the instructions in Num. 28:10 is, the sabbath burnt offering for its sabbath. The importance of the seventh day was underscored.
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
519.
Why should the offerings given on the Sabbath be different in any way from those of the daily offerings?
520.
Compute the total number of lambs which would be offered during one year, combining the daily and Sabbath offerings.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(9) And on the sabbath day two lambs . . . The Sabbath offering which was to be added to the daily sacrifice is here enjoined for the first time. The rule respecting the drink offering which was to accompany the burnt offering is laid down in Num. 15:5. The law of the Sabbath is laid down in Exo. 20:8-11, and Lev. 23:3.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
THE SABBATH OFFERING, Num 28:9-10.
9. Sabbath day Greek, in the plural, the day of sabbaths. Thus the New Testament, Luk 4:16: Act 13:14; Act 16:13.
Two lambs In addition to the regular daily sacrifice. The Sabbath was instituted in memory of the creation, (Exo 20:11,) of the exode from Egypt, (Deu 5:15,) as a sign of Israel’s consecration to the Lord, (Eze 20:12,) and as an emblem of soul-rest in Christ here, and of heavenly rest hereafter. Heb 4:3; Heb 4:9. Ezekiel, predicting that service under the Gospel, glad and free in the fulness of the Spirit, says that in the sabbath day the prince shall offer six perfect lambs. Eze 46:4-5.
Tenth deals Leviticus xxiii, 13, note.
Meat offering Leviticus 2, notes.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
A Total View Of The Special Offerings ( Num 28:9 to Num 29:40 ).
Apart from the continual daily offerings were the special offerings. As we go through these in detail it will be noted that all follow the same general repetitive pattern within their feasts, (following the repetitive patterns given in the threefold Balaam incantations in Num 23:1 to Num 24:12), although as regards the whole burnt offerings (when all of the offering is offered up and none eaten) the number of young ox bulls offered varies. These whole burnt offerings, together with a he-goat for a purification for sin offering, were to be offered on top of the continual daily offering at all feasts, although in the regular Sabbath offerings no young ox bulls were to be offered as whole burnt offerings (Num 28:9-10) only two he-lambs, nor was there then a purification for sin offering. For the Sabbath offerings were also a reminder of the Passover.
But sin was not to be overlooked. A regular purification for sin offering was offered on the new moon day of each moon period, continuing throughout the year. On new moon days, each of the days of the Feast of unleavened bread, and the day of the firstfruits (the feast of sevens) the whole burnt offering was to consist of two young ox bulls, a ram and seven he-lambs, along with the he-goat for a purification for sin offering. Note that they were offered in proportion to the possessions of the whole of Israel.
Then on the day of the feasts of trumpets and the Day of Atonement in the seventh month it was to be of one young ox bull, a ram and seven he-lambs, along with the purification for sin offering. But in the case of the feast of trumpets, which was a new moon day, this would effectively mean three young ox bulls, two rams and fourteen he-lambs. In the case of the Day of Atonement the slight relaxation would serve to lay more emphasise on the purification for sin offerings and the scapegoat, while at the same time stressing that their rededication was also fully required. It was not primarily a rededication festival, even though rededication was still clearly important. And on the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles the young ox bulls offered were to vary downwards from thirteen to seven (seventy in all), along each day with two rams and fourteen he-lambs, and the he-goat for the purification for sin offering. Then on the eighth day it was to be back to one young ox bull, one ram and seven he-lambs, along with the he-goat for the purification for sin offering.
But all these were to be offered additionally to the continual daily offerings, and to the special offerings related to specific feasts, such as the he-lamb offered on the first day of unleavened bread when the sheaf of firstfruits was waved before Yahweh (Lev 23:12), and the special goat offerings on the Day of Atonement (Num 29:11; Lev 16:5).
Prior to this chapter in Numbers the descriptions of offerings at the feast have been limited. There was no idea of such munificence. Before this it was only at the feast of Sevens (a one day feast celebrating harvest) that mention had been made of a multiplicity of offerings, one young ox bull, two rams, seven lambs for a whole burnt offering, one goat as a purification for sin offering and two lambs as peace offerings (Lev 23:18). Thus it would seem probable that what was here mentioned in such abundance, mainly based on that one series offering in the year, may not have described previous practise, but have been a huge expansion, demonstrating that because through their conquests they were now to be blessed with so much more in the way of herds and flocks, more would be expected of their offerings. It was one more encouragement on the way to possessing the land and drew their attention to that blessing. Those who had freely received should now be able freely to give and note the even greater abundance that was in store for them in the land of milk and honey.
The Sabbath and New Moon Day Offerings ( Num 28:9-15 ).
After the continual daily offerings we have mention of the Sabbath offerings and the new moon offerings, which were additional to the daily offerings. Two further he-lambs, together with grain and drink offerings, were to be offered on the Sabbath, further reminder of their great deliverance and their protecting God, and on every new moon day were to be offered two young ox bulls, a ram and seven he-lambs together with a goat for a purification for sin offering. Thus each seven day Sabbath and each new moon day were marked by special offerings, for each was a mark of God’s goodness in bringing them safely through those periods, and in each they were to offer themselves in renewed dedication to Yahweh and His covenant.
No mention has previously been made of new moon days, and possibly this was a new celebration in view of the fact that wilderness journeying was now behind them, but it seems more probable that even prior to this new moon days were celebrated with offerings (see Num 10:10). The truth is that it was probably only the munificence of the offering that was new.
We may not today make offerings such as these, but we too on each seventh day, and at the beginning of each month (as well as daily), should recognise that all our time belongs to God, and that we should rededicate ourselves and make the best use of our time for His glory (Eph 5:16). For one day time will cease and then what will matter will be what we accomplished for Him with what we had.
Analysis of Num 28:9-15.
a The offering of two he-lambs on the sabbath as a whole burnt offering ‘besides the continual whole burnt offering and the drink offering thereof’ (Num 28:9-10).
b Every new moon day a whole burnt offering of two ox bulls and a ram and seven he-lambs to be offered to Yahweh (Num 28:11).
c The grain offering to be offered for the two young ox bulls and the ram and the seven he-lambs (Num 28:12-13).
c The drink offering to be offered for ox bulls, ram and lambs (Num 28:14 a).
b This is the whole burnt offering to be offered every new moon throughout the year (Num 28:14 b).
a The offering of one he-goat as a purification for sin offering ‘besides the continual whole burnt offering and the drink offering thereof’ (Num 28:15).
The Special Sabbath Day Offerings ( Num 28:9-10 ).
Num 28:9
“ And on the sabbath day two he-lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mingled with oil, and its drink-offering,”
Every seventh day was a Sabbath. Each such seventh day was a holy day, for it had been appointed by Yahweh as a day of rest on which no work must be done, both as a reminder of His work in creation (Exo 20:11) and in His work of deliverance from servitude in Egypt (Deu 5:15). It is doubtful if they thought in terms of ‘weeks’ as we do. That would be an idea which would gradually arise. But it was still very significant. For this seven day period was the only time period not fixed by the sun and the moon. It went on in its familiar pattern regardless of the activities of the heavens. It was ordained by Yahweh from heaven itself. And it represented to them the divine perfection of the passing of their time, and was a continual reminder that in contrast to the nations, they were subject to Yahweh in their daily lives, and not dependent on sun, moon and stars. It was a reminder also that in the end all were finally equal in His sight, for all rested equally on His day. It evidenced the fact that all time was in His hands.
So on this holy day two extra year old he-lambs without blemish were to be offered, together with their grain and drink offerings, an act of double dedication because of the holiness of the day. And on this day all who lived in the camp, and all who would later live in the land must abstain from all work on the Sabbath day, from the highest to the lowest, as they contemplated the wonder of His ways, and His constant provision, and rededicated themselves to Him (compare Isa 58:13-14). We may sometimes see the Sabbath restrictions as tiresome. To the weary slaves and servants it would be seen as heaven sent. In Israel none could compel them to work on that day.
Num 28:10
“ This is the whole burnt offering of every sabbath, besides the continual whole burnt offering, and its drink-offering.”
This was the whole burnt offering of the Sabbath, the offering that ‘went up’ to Yahweh every Sabbath, and was additional to the normal daily offering.
The lesson for us is that every seventh day (it does not finally matter which day we choose as long as we are consistent – Rom 14:5-6), it can be helpful for us too to make our renewed dedication to God and bring Him our sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, although Paul stresses that some prefer to do this every day (Rom 14:5).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Reader! pause over these verses, to remark with me the peculiar honor and reverence appointed to the sabbath. The original institution of the sabbath was in honor of the works of creation: but in the gospel church do not the faithful commemorate both the old creation in nature, and the new creation in grace? I will not presume to say that the two lambs of the morning, and the two for the evening sacrifice had reference to the FATHER’S love in creating us at first, and the HOLY SPIRIT’s love in re-creating the soul anew in CHRIST JESUS: but I must venture to say, that the double offering, on the LORD’S day, of those sacrifices, both at the morning and evening, evidently bespeaks the vast and infinite importance of the thing signified. Precious salvation! would I call it, when, I behold, it thus introduced and shadowed forth through so many intermediate ages, and by such perpetual remembrances.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 28:9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
Ver. 9. And on the Sabbath day. ] Every day should be a Sabbath to the saints, in regard of ceasing to do evil, learning to do well; but on the seventh day Sabbath our devotion should be doubled. Debet totus dies festivus a Christiano expendi in operibus sanctis, said Robert Grosthead, Bishop of Lincoln, long since. a The whole Sabbath should be spent in God’s service. Psa 92:1 , titled, A Psalm for the Sabbath, mentions morning and evening performances. Psa 92:2 Variety of duties may very well take up the whole day with delight. Besides, God gives us six whole days. Now, to sell by one measure and buy by another, is the way to a curse.
a In Decalog. Praecep., 30.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 20:8-11, Psa 92:1-4, Isa 58:13, Eze 20:12, Rev 1:10
Reciprocal: Num 28:2 – General 2Ch 2:4 – the burnt 2Ch 31:3 – the burnt Eze 46:4 – the burnt Mat 12:5 – on Heb 9:14 – without
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 28:9. 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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
28:9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two {c} tenth deals of flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:
(c) Of the measure ephah.