Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 15:3
And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savor unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:
3. an offering by fire ] A general term covering every kind of offering that was consumed on the altar. The next words define the two species of these offerings with which the section deals, i.e. burnt- and peace-offerings, after which are mentioned the different occasions (private and public) on which the peace-offerings might be presented.
a sacrifice ] This, as distinguished from the burnt-offering, means the peace-offering, of which the worshipper and priest partook. See on Num 6:14.
a sweet savour ] a soothing odour. The expression had its origin in far-off days when the deity was supposed to be soothed or placated by the actual smell of the sacrificial smoke. In Gen 8:21 (J ), the only Biblical occurrence of the words earlier than Ezekiel, there is a trace of the primitive conception.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 3. And will make an offering] For the different kinds of offerings, sacrifices, c., see Le 1:2, Le 1:7.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A sacrifice, i.e. a peace-offering, as appears,
1. Because that word put by itself is oft so taken, as Exo 18:12; Lev 17:5,8; 23:37; Deu 12:27.
2. Because the offerings for sins and trespasses had no meat-offerings and drink-offerings attending upon them, excepting only the case of the
lepers cleansing, Lev 14:10.
3. Because this is explained by and called peace-offereings, Num 15:8.
4. From the words here following, because peace-offerings were commonly offerede either in performance of a vow, or freely, or by Gods command in their solemn feasts, all which are here expressed.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. make an offering by fire unto theLord, a burnt offeringIt is evident that a peace offering isreferred to because this term is frequently used in such a sense(Exo 18:12; Lev 17:5).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And will make an offering by fire unto the Lord, a burnt offering,…. The first of these respects such offerings by fire, which were not wholly burnt, but part of them were eaten by the priests, De 18:1; and the latter such as were wholly burnt, unless the latter can be thought to be only an explanation of the former:
or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering; these were peace offerings, some of which were for thanksgiving, and others were either a vow or a freewill offering, as here: see Le 7:11;
or in your solemn feasts; as the passover, pentecost, c. of which, and the offerings in them, see Le 23:4
to make a sweet savour unto the Lord; for acceptance with him:
of the herd or of the flock; a bullock of the one, a lamb or kid of the goats of the other; fowls are not mentioned, because burnt offerings of them required no drink offerings f.
f Maimon. Maaseh Hakorbanot, c. 2. sect. 2.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
3. And will make an offering There are two theories respecting the origin of sacrifices: (1.) An express command of God, and (2.) The promptings of the soul under its sense of dependence and guilt. On this question Moses is entirely silent. A command to offer sacrifices may have been given, though it is not recorded. Moses was evidently studious of brevity, omitting the prophecy of Enoch, the preaching of Noah, and the vexation of Lot’s spirit in view of the iniquities of Sodom. But it must be confessed that in this verse and in Lev 1:2, the traditional sacrifices seem to be spoken of as optional and not required. If this be true, it argues that sacrifices are not essentially at variance with the laws of our moral nature, and that worship can be paid by sacrificing whatever each one holds most precious. Similar views are entertained by the rabbins. Chrysostom affirms that Abel was persuaded to offer true sacrifices, not as being taught by any one, not from obedience to any express statute, but by the dictates of reason and conscience. These remarks do not apply to the law-created sin offerings and trespass offerings. See Isa 1:12, and Introduction to Leviticus, (2.)
Burnt offering See Lev 1:3; Lev 6:9, notes.
A vow free-will offering See Lev 27:2; Lev 22:18; Lev 7:11; Lev 7:16, notes.
Sweet savour See Lev 1:9, note.
Herd flock See Lev 1:2, note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 15:3. An offering by fire Respecting these different offerings, we refer to the notes on Leviticus.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
The proportions of flour and oil in all these offerings, were to correspond to the size of the offering: the burnt offering and the meat offering were to suit each other. A tenth deal of flour was in quantity about five pints. And the hin contained nearly about five quarts. Oil in these countries was used as butter is in ours. No doubt every part of the sacrifice was typical of somewhat referred to, in the dispensation of grace by JESUS CHRIST. His people are said to be anointed with the oil of grace, and they did eat of the flour and bread of life, which is CHRIST himself. Joh 6:32-34 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
offering. Hebrew. ‘ishsheh. App-43.
burnt offering. Hebrew. ‘olah. App-43.
sacrifice. Hebrew. zebach. App-43.
freewill offering. Hebrew. nedabah. App-43.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
will make: Exo 29:18, Exo 29:25, Exo 29:41, Lev 1:2, Lev 1:3, Lev 1:9, Lev 1:13, Lev 1:17, Lev 10:13
a burnt: Lev 1:1-17
a sacrifice: Lev 7:16, Lev 22:18-23, Deu 12:11
performing: Heb. separating, Lev 27:2
or in a freewill: Lev 22:21, Lev 22:23, Deu 12:6, Deu 12:17, Deu 16:10
in your: Num 28:16-19, Num 28:27, Num 29:1, Num 29:2, Num 29:8, Num 29:13-40, Lev 23:8, Lev 23:12, Lev 23:36, Deu 16:1-17
a sweet: Gen 8:21, Exo 29:18, Mat 3:17, Eph 5:2, Phi 4:18
the herd: Under the term bakar, are comprehended the ox, heifer, etc; and under tzon, are included sheep and goats. The animals enjoined in the Levitical law are the very same which commanded Abraham to offer – Gen 15:9. Hence it is evident, that God delivered to the patriarchs an epitome of that law which was afterwards given in detail to Moses, the essence of which consisted in its sacrifices; and these sacrifices were of clean animals, the most perfect, useful, and healthy of all that are brought under the immediate government of man. Gross feeding and ferocious animals were all excluded, as well as all birds of prey.
Reciprocal: Lev 9:4 – and a meat Lev 23:13 – the meat Num 28:11 – in the beginnings Num 29:9 – General Psa 81:3 – solemn
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 15:3. An offering made by fire This is a general expression for those offerings which were in whole or in part burned upon the altar. A sacrifice in performing a vow Namely, peace-offerings, which are often called sacrifices, in general, as Exo 18:12, and Lev 17:5; Lev 17:8. See the nature of them explained, Lev 3:1; Lev 7:11.