Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 28:26
Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks [be out], ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
The festival offering at the season of first-fruits was to be offered on one day only; and was the same with that of the new moon and Passover. It nearly though not entirely accords with the sacrificial offering prescribed in Lev 23:18 ff.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 26. Day of the first-fruits] Called also the feast of weeks, and the feast of pentecost. See it explained, Clarke “Ex 23:14“, and “Le 23:15“.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In the day of the first-fruits; in the feast of pentecost, Act 2:1.
A new meat-offering; new fruits, two loaves made of your new corn, Lev 23:16.
Your weeks, i.e. the seven weeks which you are to number from the passover, Lev 23:15 Heb. in the weeks, in being put for after, as it is Isa 20:1; Luk 9:36; 11:37.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
26, 27. in the day of thefirst-fruits . . . offer the burnt offeringA new sacrifice ishere ordered for the celebration of this festival, in addition to theother offering, which was to accompany the first-fruits (Le23:18).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Also in the day of the firstfruits,…. When the firstfruits of the wheat harvest were brought unto the Lord, which was the day of Pentecost, fifty days from the sheaf of the wave offering being brought:
when ye bring a new meat offering unto the Lord; that is, a meat offering made of the new corn, which were two wave loaves of two tenth deals of fine flour, baked with leaven, Le 23:15
after your weeks be out; the seven weeks from the passover to Pentecost, even seven complete sabbaths or weeks, Le 23:15
ye shall have an holy convocation, ye shall do no servile work; see
Le 23:21.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The same number of sacrifices is appointed for the day of the first-fruits, i.e., for the feast of Weeks or Harvest feast (cf. Lev 23:15-22). The festal burnt-offering and sin-offering of this one day was independent of the supplementary burnt-offering and sin-offering of the wave-loaves appointed in Lev 23:18, and was to be offered before these and after the daily morning sacrifice.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verses 26-31:
The “day of firstfruits” is Pentecost, see Ex 23:16; 34:22; Lev 23:10-21; Deu 16:10, q.v.
The sacrifices prescribed for this festival were identical to those of the new moon festival. The order is not the same as that of Le 23. This implies that the sacrifices prescribed in Leviticus were to be in addition to those of the present text.
The sacrifices in this text were to be offered in addition to the regular daily offerings.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
26. Also in the day of thefirst-fruits. Moses delivers the same commandment as to another festival, viz., that on which they offered their first-fruits. Then, also, he instructs them, the continual sacrifice was to be increased by the addition of two bullocks, one ram, seven lambs, a goat for a sin-offering, together with the minha and a libation, with the object, of which I have already spoken. A perplexing difficulty here arises, because in Lev 23:0, one bullock is mentioned instead of two, and, on the contrary, two rams instead of one. (238) Some think that an option was left to the priests in this matter; but when I consider how precisely God’s commands were given in everything, I question whether such an alternative was left to their discretion. The notion that God had once been content with a single bullock, as some think, because they were not abundant in the desert, appears to me a subterfuge. I confess I do not know how to get out of this difficulty, unless perhaps we say, that inasmuch as sufficiently exact provision had been made, in all other particulars, that nothing should be done without reason, in this respect only they were reminded that God in Himself cares not for greater or less victims. Nor does any reverence prevent us from saying that, as it sometimes happens in minor matters, a wrong number may have crept in from the carelessness of scribes; (239) and this is probably the most natural solution. The more correct reading, in my opinion, is, that they should offer two bullocks and one ram; but since it is elsewhere explained why God appointed this day, he only briefly recites here: “When they bring the fainha with the first-fruits.”
(238) “Josephus and Maimonides understand that they were distinct sacrifices. Aben-Ezra and others think that it was left to the priest which he would offer.” — Brightwell on the Pentateuch, in loco.
(239) The conjecture of C. receives no support from the modern collections of various readings; for though the number two is wanting in one of Kennicott’s MSS., the word for bullocks is in the plural in that same MS.; and the two most ancient versions, viz., the LXX. and the Syriac agree with the received text both here and in Lev 23:8. — W.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
E. OFFERINGS FOR THE FIRST FRUITS vv. 2631
TEXT
Num. 28:26. Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the Lord, after your weeks be out, ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: 27. But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savor unto the Lord; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year; 28. And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram, 29. A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs; 30. And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. 31. Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish,) and their drink offerings.
PARAPHRASE
Num. 28:26. Also on the day of the firstfruits, when you bring a new meal offering to the Lord, during your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no hard work. 27, And you shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet aroma to the Lord: two young bulls, one ram, seven yearling lambs; 28. and their meal offering of flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of a measure for one bull, two-tenths of a measure for one ram, 29. one-tenth of a measure for one lamb, for each of the seven lambs; 30. and one male goat, to make an atonement for you. 31. You shall offer them in addition to the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, and you shall present them with their drink offerings; they shall be without defect.
COMMENTARY
The feast described in this section is variously called the Feast of Weeks, the Harvest Feast, the Feast of the First Fruits, and, later, Pentecost. The same offerings were designated as for the previous two feasts. Two special provisions are stipulated: there is to be a congregation, or holy convocation of the people; and, the people are to avoid hard work.
The date of the feast was seven weeks after the Passover, on the fiftieth day. From this fact was derived the last name, Pentecost. In the growing season, this placed the Feast at the time of the wheat harvest. The people were asked to express their gratitude to God in a freewill offering at the time, as they began to harvest their grain (Deu. 16:10); the offering was to reflect the blessings they had first received from God, with each individual male appearing before the Lord with such a gift as he was able (Deu. 16:17).
QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS
531.
By what other names is the Feast of Weeks known?
532.
Explain how each of the different names for this feast has its own significance.
533.
At what time of year was the Feast of Weeks to be observed?
534.
What product was being harvested at this time?
535.
What determined the value or amount of the freewill offering given at the feast?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(26) In the day of the firstfruits.See Exo. 23:16; Exo. 34:22; Lev. 23:15-21, and Notes.
A new meat offering . . . See Lev. 23:16.
After your weeks be out.Hebrew, in your weeksi.e., at the expiration of a week of weeks from the morrow after the chief day of the feast of the Passover.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
OFFERINGS AT THE FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS, Num 28:26-31.
26. Firstfruits Called the feast of harvest, Exo 23:16; of weeks, Exo 34:22; and day of Pentecost, Act 2:1. See Lev 23:15-21, notes.
A new meat offering New in respect to the former offered at the passover. Lev 23:16, note.
After your weeks Fifty days after the passover.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Feast Of The Firstfruits ( Num 28:26-31 ).
Even here, where there were already munificent offerings, we note that there is an increase in the level of the offerings as compared with Lev 23:18. Previously, while they were still in the wilderness, the requirement was of one ox bull, two rams and seven he-lambs, and the munificence was particular to that feast. But now that they had accumulated all the bulls of Bashan, to say nothing of those of Gilead, ox bulls were in plentiful supply, and so the level of the offering was increased, a subtle change that reflected that even this day, with its already munificent offerings, had to see a token increase in offering. All Israel would notice this and recognise the significance of the change. Gilead and Bashan were themselves firstruits to Yahweh.
a In the day of the firstfruits a new grain offering to be offered to Yahweh (Num 28:26).
b Whole burnt offerings to be offered to Yahweh of two young ox bulls and a ram and seven he-lambs for a pleasing odour (Num 28:27).
c The grain offerings to be offered with them (Num 28:28-29).
b One he-goat to be offered to make atonement as well as the continual whole burnt offering (Num 28:30-31 a).
a They are to be offered with its grain and drink offerings, the whole to be without blemish (Num 28:31 b).
Num 28:26
“ Also in the day of the first-fruits, when you offer a new grain offering to Yahweh in your feast of sevens, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no servile work,”
The feast of firstfruits, or sevens, or harvest, was a day when a new grain offering was offered to Yahweh, the firstfruits of their labours (Exo 23:16) and of the wheat harvest (Exo 34:22), a contribution offering of two loaves of milled grain baked with leaven ( a rare case of leaven being allowed) and presented with the listed offerings (Lev 23:11). No leaven could be offered by fire to Yahweh, but leaven was permitted as a part of the offering from their labours in a contribution offering which could be partaken of by the priests. And this too was a day of holy convocation (calling together) in which no servile work could be done. This feast especially celebrated the gathering in of the wheat harvest.
Num 28:27-30
“ But you shall offer a whole burnt offering for a pleasing odour to Yahweh, two young ox bulls, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old; and their grain offering, milled grain mingled with oil, three tenth parts for each ox bull, two tenth parts for the one ram, a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs; one he-goat, to make atonement for you.”
And during that day the priests would offer their two young ox bulls, their ram and their seven he-lambs, representing the gratitude, dedication and worship of the whole of Israel. And again the men of Israel, gathered with any who had come with them round the Sanctuary, would see the smoke of the offerings rising again and again, and their hearts were to be full of praise and worship as they rededicated themselves to Yahweh and the covenant.
Num 28:31
“ Besides the continual whole burnt offering, and its grain offering, you shall offer them (they shall be to you without blemish), and their drink-offerings.”
And this was as well as the continual daily whole burnt offerings with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, offered without blemish.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Sacrifices of Pentecost
v. 26. Also in the day of the first-fruits, when ye bring a new meat-offering, v. 27. but ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savor unto the Lord: two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year, v. 28. and their meat-offering of flour mingled with oil, three-tenth deals unto one bullock, two-tenth deals unto one ram, v. 29. a several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs; v. 30. and one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you, v. 31. Ye shall offer them beside
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
The feast of unleavened bread was a day of great solemnity among the people; and the feast of first fruits, which followed in seven weeks after, was no less so; and it was intended as a season of testifying thankfulness to the LORD for the gathering in the blessings of the earth, and of festivity among the people. There was an offering made to the priest upon this occasion. See Lev 23:10 . This was the memorable feast which the HOLY GHOST was pleased to distinguish for the season of his first descent on the apostles; and by which indeed there were great offerings of the first fruits of the conversion of souls to GOD; and there can be no doubt, but that everyone of the great festivals in the Jewish Church was intended as typical of the glorious events of redemption in the Christian Church. The law was a shadow of good things to come; but the body is CHRIST. Heb 10:1 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
in the day = at the time. See App-18.
after your weeks be out = on the eve of your weeks.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
in the day: Exo 23:16, Exo 34:22, Lev 23:10, Lev 23:15-21, Deu 16:9-11, Act 2:1-13, 1Co 15:20, Jam 1:18
Reciprocal: Gen 14:20 – tithes Lev 23:17 – two wave Num 28:2 – General Num 28:25 – ye shall do Jdg 21:19 – a feast
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 28:26. Also in the day of the first-fruits In the feast of pentecost, Act 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, Exo 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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your {g} weeks [be out], ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
(g) In counting seven weeks from the Passover to Whit Sunday, as in Lev 23:15.