Numbers 29 Study Notes
General
According to 29:39, the fixed offerings at the appointed times were to be presented in addition to what?
Answer: Offerings for vows or given freely by choice
The whole calendar of chapters 28-29 was required, but it did not replace the offerings people chose to give on their own: offerings that kept a promise made to God, and freewill gifts given from a willing heart (29:39). Both kinds were known parts of Israel's worship (Leviticus 22:21; Deuteronomy 12:6). Then Moses passed on every word to Israel, just as God had told him to (29:40). Hebrews describes Moses as a trustworthy servant throughout God's household (Hebrews 3:5). The mention of vows here also leads into chapter 30, which deals with vows.
- Numbers 29:39 (BSB)“You are to present these offerings to the LORD at your appointed times, in addition to your vow and freewill offerings, whether burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, or peace offerings.””The appointed-time offerings are in addition to the people's vow and freewill offerings.
- Numbers 29:40 (BSB)“So Moses spoke all this to the Israelites just as the LORD had commanded him.”Moses passes on all of these commands to Israel exactly as the LORD commanded.
- Leviticus 22:21 (BSB)“When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable.”Shows that offerings given to fulfill a vow or freely were a recognized category of their own.
- Deuteronomy 12:6 (BSB)“To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.”Lists vow offerings and freewill offerings alongside Israel's other required gifts.
- Hebrews 3:5 (BSB)“Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later.”Shows Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house.
Theological
According to Numbers 29:39, the appointed-time offerings were to be presented alongside which other offerings?
Answer: Votive and freewill offerings of the people
The fixed calendar of public sacrifices did not displace private, voluntary worship: it was offered in addition to votive and freewill offerings (29:39), both recognized categories in the law (Leviticus 22:21; Deuteronomy 12:6). Moses then relayed the whole of it to Israel precisely as the LORD commanded (29:40), exemplifying the faithfulness Hebrews ascribes to him as a servant over God's entire household (Hebrews 3:5). The reference to vows also transitions naturally into the vow legislation of chapter 30.
- Numbers 29:39 (BSB)“You are to present these offerings to the LORD at your appointed times, in addition to your vow and freewill offerings, whether burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, or peace offerings.””The appointed-time offerings are in addition to the people's vow and freewill offerings.
- Numbers 29:40 (BSB)“So Moses spoke all this to the Israelites just as the LORD had commanded him.”Moses passes on all of these commands to Israel exactly as the LORD commanded.
- Leviticus 22:21 (BSB)“When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable.”Shows that offerings given to fulfill a vow or freely were a recognized category of their own.
- Deuteronomy 12:6 (BSB)“To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.”Lists vow offerings and freewill offerings alongside Israel's other required gifts.
- Hebrews 3:5 (BSB)“Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later.”Shows Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house.
General
True or False: Over the seven days of the feast, the number of rams and lambs dropped each day along with the number of bulls.
Answer: False
This is false. Only the bulls went down, by one each day: thirteen on day one, twelve on day two, and so on down to seven on the final day (29:13, 17, 32). The rams stayed at two and the lambs at fourteen every day, and each day still had its goat for sin and the daily burnt offering. Leviticus confirms that offerings were made on all seven days (Leviticus 23:36). Centuries later, the Jews who returned from exile kept this feast with burnt offerings each day by the exact number required for that day (Ezra 3:4).
- Numbers 29:17 (BSB)“On the second day you are to present twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The second day: twelve bulls, but still two rams and fourteen lambs.
- Numbers 29:32 (BSB)“On the seventh day you are to present seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The seventh day: seven bulls, with the same two rams and fourteen lambs.
- Leviticus 23:36 (BSB)“For seven days you are to present a food offering to the LORD. On the eighth day you are to hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work.”Confirms offerings were presented on each of the seven days, followed by an eighth-day assembly.
- Ezra 3:4 (BSB)“They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day.”Shows returned exiles later kept this feast with daily burnt offerings by the number prescribed for each day.
Theological
True or False: In Numbers 29:12-34 the rams and lambs decrease day by day in step with the bulls.
Answer: False
This is false. Only the bulls decrease, one per day, from thirteen at the outset to seven on the last day (29:13, 17, 32); the rams remain two and the lambs fourteen throughout, with a goat for sin and the continual offering daily. Leviticus 23:36 confirms offerings on all seven days, and the post-exilic community observed the feast with daily burnt offerings in the exact quantity set for each day (Ezra 3:4), attesting careful adherence to this graded schedule.
- Numbers 29:17 (BSB)“On the second day you are to present twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The second day: twelve bulls, but still two rams and fourteen lambs.
- Numbers 29:32 (BSB)“On the seventh day you are to present seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The seventh day: seven bulls, with the same two rams and fourteen lambs.
- Leviticus 23:36 (BSB)“For seven days you are to present a food offering to the LORD. On the eighth day you are to hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work.”Confirms offerings were presented on each of the seven days, followed by an eighth-day assembly.
- Ezra 3:4 (BSB)“They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day.”Shows returned exiles later kept this feast with daily burnt offerings by the number prescribed for each day.
General
What does 29:1 say the seventh month's opening day was to be for Israel?
Answer: A day for sounding the trumpets
The seventh month opened with a special day: a sacred assembly, a holy gathering of the people, with no regular work, and a day on which the trumpets were to be sounded (29:1). Leviticus describes it the same way, as a rest day announced with trumpet blasts (Leviticus 23:24-25). Earlier, God had commanded that trumpets be blown over the offerings at Israel's feasts and new moons as a reminder before Him (Numbers 10:10). On this day Israel offered a bull, a ram, seven yearling lambs, and a goat for sin (29:2-5).
- Numbers 29:1 (BSB)““On the first day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This will be a day for you to sound the trumpets.”The first day of the seventh month: a sacred assembly, no regular work, and a day for trumpets.
- Leviticus 23:24-25 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts. You must not do any regular work, but you are to present a food offering to the LORD.’””Confirms this day as a day of rest and sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts.
- Numbers 10:10 (BSB)“And on your joyous occasions, your appointed feasts, and the beginning of each month, you are to blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings to serve as a reminder for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.””Shows trumpets were blown over Israel's offerings at appointed feasts as a reminder before God.
Theological
How does Numbers 29:1 characterize the seventh month's opening day?
Answer: As a day for the sounding of trumpets
The seventh month's opening day is a sacred assembly with cessation of regular work, designated as a day for the sounding of trumpets (29:1), matching Leviticus 23:24-25, which calls it a rest proclaimed with trumpet blasts. The trumpets over Israel's offerings functioned as a memorial before God (Numbers 10:10). Its sacrifices, a bull, a ram, seven yearling lambs, and a goat offered for sin (29:2-5), parallel those of the atonement day that follows.
- Numbers 29:1 (BSB)““On the first day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This will be a day for you to sound the trumpets.”The first day of the seventh month: a sacred assembly, no regular work, and a day for trumpets.
- Leviticus 23:24-25 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts. You must not do any regular work, but you are to present a food offering to the LORD.’””Confirms this day as a day of rest and sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts.
- Numbers 10:10 (BSB)“And on your joyous occasions, your appointed feasts, and the beginning of each month, you are to blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings to serve as a reminder for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.””Shows trumpets were blown over Israel's offerings at appointed feasts as a reminder before God.
General
What happened on day eight, after the seven days of the feast (29:35-36)?
Answer: A solemn assembly with a single bull, a single ram, and seven lambs
The feast did not simply end after seven days. The eighth day was a solemn assembly, a closing holy gathering, with no regular work (29:35). Its burnt offering dropped to a single bull, a single ram, and seven yearling lambs, plus a goat for sin (29:36-38), the same scale as the first and tenth days of the month (29:2, 8). Leviticus also commands this eighth-day assembly (Leviticus 23:36), and after the exile Israel celebrated the seven days and then gathered again on the day after, as the law required (Nehemiah 8:18).
- Numbers 29:35-36 (BSB)“On the eighth day you are to hold a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work. As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The eighth day: a solemn assembly with a much smaller burnt offering.
- Leviticus 23:36 (BSB)“For seven days you are to present a food offering to the LORD. On the eighth day you are to hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work.”Confirms that an eighth-day solemn assembly followed the seven days of the feast.
- Nehemiah 8:18 (BSB)“Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. The Israelites kept the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day they held an assembly, according to the ordinance.”Shows Israel after the exile kept the feast for seven days and held an assembly on the eighth.
Theological
What does Numbers 29:35-36 prescribe for the eighth day following the feast?
Answer: A solemn assembly with a lone bull, a lone ram, and seven lambs
The eighth day brings a solemn assembly with cessation of regular work (29:35), and its burnt offering reverts to a single bull, a single ram, and seven yearling lambs with a goat for sin (29:36-38), the scale of the Trumpets and Atonement offerings (29:2, 8). The closing assembly is likewise prescribed in Leviticus 23:36, and the post-exilic community observed it as the law directed after the seven days of the feast (Nehemiah 8:18).
- Numbers 29:35-36 (BSB)“On the eighth day you are to hold a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work. As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The eighth day: a solemn assembly with a much smaller burnt offering.
- Leviticus 23:36 (BSB)“For seven days you are to present a food offering to the LORD. On the eighth day you are to hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work.”Confirms that an eighth-day solemn assembly followed the seven days of the feast.
- Nehemiah 8:18 (BSB)“Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. The Israelites kept the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day they held an assembly, according to the ordinance.”Shows Israel after the exile kept the feast for seven days and held an assembly on the eighth.
General
True or False: During the seven days of the feast in 29:12-34, a male goat was offered for sin every day, not just on the opening day.
Answer: True
This is true. Every one of the seven days, and the eighth day as well, included a male goat offered for sin (29:16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 38). This feast was a time of complete joy over God's blessing on the harvest (Deuteronomy 16:15), yet every day of rejoicing also included an offering for sin. Hebrews points out that priests offered the same sacrifices day after day, which could never remove sins, but Christ offered a single sacrifice for sin that stands forever and then sat down at God's right hand, because His work was finished (Hebrews 10:11-12).
- Numbers 29:16 (BSB)“Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.”The first day of the feast includes a goat for a sin offering.
- Numbers 29:34 (BSB)“Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.”The seventh day still includes a goat for a sin offering.
- Deuteronomy 16:15 (BSB)“For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.”Shows that this feast was to be a time of complete joy over God's blessing.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 (BSB)“Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”Contrasts sacrifices repeated day after day with Christ's single sacrifice for sins for all time.
Theological
True or False: Numbers 29:12-34 requires a goat to be offered for sin on each day of the feast, not only on the first.
Answer: True
This is true. A sin offering goat is prescribed for every one of the seven days, and again on the eighth (29:16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 38). Even this feast of complete joy, celebrating God's blessing on the harvest (Deuteronomy 16:15), carried a daily expiatory sacrifice. Hebrews contrasts this ceaseless repetition, which could never remove sin, with the single sacrifice of Christ, who then sat down at God's right hand (Hebrews 10:11-12).
- Numbers 29:16 (BSB)“Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.”The first day of the feast includes a goat for a sin offering.
- Numbers 29:34 (BSB)“Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.”The seventh day still includes a goat for a sin offering.
- Deuteronomy 16:15 (BSB)“For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.”Shows that this feast was to be a time of complete joy over God's blessing.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 (BSB)“Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”Contrasts sacrifices repeated day after day with Christ's single sacrifice for sins for all time.
General
The seven-day feast that begins in 29:12 is the one Leviticus 23:34 calls by what name?
Answer: Tabernacles, also called Booths
Verse 12 sets a seven-day feast in the LORD's honor beginning in the middle of that month, on its fifteenth day, opening with a sacred assembly at which no regular work was done (29:12). Numbers does not name it here, but Leviticus 23:34 calls it Tabernacles, a feast also known as Booths. During it the people lived in booths, simple shelters made of branches, to remember that God had made Israel live in booths when He led them out of Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43). It came after the harvest was gathered and was to be a time of complete joy for the whole household, including servants, Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows (Deuteronomy 16:13-15).
- Numbers 29:12 (BSB)“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days.”The fifteenth day of the seventh month begins a seven-day feast to the LORD.
- Leviticus 23:34 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Feast of Tabernacles to the LORD begins, and it continues for seven days.”Names the seven-day feast beginning on the fifteenth of the seventh month as the Feast of Tabernacles.
- Leviticus 23:42-43 (BSB)“You are to dwell in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must dwell in booths, so that your descendants may know that I made the Israelites dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’””Explains that Israel lived in booths during the feast to remember how God brought them out of Egypt.
- Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (BSB)“You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.”Shows it was a harvest feast of complete joy for the whole household.
Theological
Which feast, as named in Leviticus 23:34, is the seven-day observance that begins in Numbers 29:12?
Answer: Tabernacles (the Booths feast)
The seven-day feast beginning on the seventh month's fifteenth day, opened by a sacred assembly (29:12), is identified in Leviticus 23:34 as Tabernacles. Israel's dwelling in booths memorialized God's provision in leading them out of Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43), and the feast, falling after the ingathering of the harvest, was marked by complete rejoicing that embraced servants, Levites, sojourners, orphans, and widows (Deuteronomy 16:13-15).
- Numbers 29:12 (BSB)“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days.”The fifteenth day of the seventh month begins a seven-day feast to the LORD.
- Leviticus 23:34 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Feast of Tabernacles to the LORD begins, and it continues for seven days.”Names the seven-day feast beginning on the fifteenth of the seventh month as the Feast of Tabernacles.
- Leviticus 23:42-43 (BSB)“You are to dwell in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must dwell in booths, so that your descendants may know that I made the Israelites dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’””Explains that Israel lived in booths during the feast to remember how God brought them out of Egypt.
- Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (BSB)“You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.”Shows it was a harvest feast of complete joy for the whole household.
General
Adding up the bulls offered over the seven days (thirteen, then twelve, and so on down to seven), how many bulls were offered in all?
Answer: Seventy
The bulls numbered 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, and 7 over the seven days (29:13-32), which adds up to 70. Offering thirteen every day would have made 91, but the number went down by one each day. Across the week Israel also offered 14 rams and 98 lambs, and counting the single bull on day eight (29:36), the total comes to 71 bulls. After the exile, the returned Jews kept the feast with burnt offerings by the exact number set for each day (Ezra 3:4). This was one of the three yearly feasts at which no one was to come before the LORD with empty hands (Deuteronomy 16:16).
- Numbers 29:13 (BSB)“As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The first day begins the count with thirteen bulls.
- Numbers 29:32 (BSB)“On the seventh day you are to present seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The seventh day ends the count with seven bulls.
- Ezra 3:4 (BSB)“They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day.”Shows the feast was later kept with burnt offerings by the specific number set for each day.
- Deuteronomy 16:16 (BSB)“Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed.”Shows this was one of the three feasts at which no one was to come before the LORD empty-handed.
Theological
What is the total number of bulls offered across the seven days of the feast in Numbers 29:12-34?
Answer: Seventy
The graded sequence of 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, and 7 bulls (29:13-32) totals 70 for the seven days, not the 91 a constant thirteen would yield. With 14 rams and 98 lambs over the same week, and a single bull on day eight (29:36), the seven days plus the eighth required 71 bulls in all, easily the largest sacrificial schedule of the year. The restored community after the exile kept it with daily burnt offerings in the quantity specified for each day (Ezra 3:4), and it was one of the pilgrimage feasts at which no worshiper was to come without a gift (Deuteronomy 16:16).
- Numbers 29:13 (BSB)“As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The first day begins the count with thirteen bulls.
- Numbers 29:32 (BSB)“On the seventh day you are to present seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The seventh day ends the count with seven bulls.
- Ezra 3:4 (BSB)“They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day.”Shows the feast was later kept with burnt offerings by the specific number set for each day.
- Deuteronomy 16:16 (BSB)“Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed.”Shows this was one of the three feasts at which no one was to come before the LORD empty-handed.
General
According to 29:11, the goat offered for sin on that tenth day was presented in addition to what?
Answer: The atonement rite's own sin offering and the daily lambs
Verse 11 adds a goat offered for sin to two things already required that day: the special sin offering that made atonement and the usual daily burnt offering (29:11). That atonement offering points back to Leviticus 16, where the high priest took the blood of the people's goat through the veil into the inner room and sprinkled it on the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:15). Hebrews notes that the high priest could go in just one day each year, and only with blood (Hebrews 9:7). Christ, by contrast, entered God's presence once for all with His own blood, winning an eternal redemption, that is, a rescue from sin that lasts forever (Hebrews 9:12).
- Numbers 29:11 (BSB)“Include one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.”The goat for a sin offering is added to the sin offering of atonement and the daily burnt offering.
- Leviticus 16:15 (BSB)“Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it.”Describes the Day of Atonement sin offering whose blood the high priest brought behind the veil.
- Hebrews 9:7 (BSB)“But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.”Shows the high priest entered the inner room only once a year and never without blood.
- Hebrews 9:12 (BSB)“He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.”Shows Christ entered once for all by His own blood, securing eternal redemption.
Theological
Numbers 29:11 presents the festival goat offered for sin as additional to which prescribed sacrifices?
Answer: The atonement rite's sin offering and the continual offering
Verse 11 distinguishes the festival goat from the atonement rite's sin offering and from the continual burnt offering, both of which were also required that day (29:11). That atonement offering is the Leviticus 16 rite, in which the high priest brought the blood of the people's goat within the veil and sprinkled it on and before the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:15). Hebrews stresses its limitation: a single annual entry, always with blood (Hebrews 9:7). Christ entered the true sanctuary decisively and finally with His own blood, obtaining an everlasting redemption for His people (Hebrews 9:12).
- Numbers 29:11 (BSB)“Include one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.”The goat for a sin offering is added to the sin offering of atonement and the daily burnt offering.
- Leviticus 16:15 (BSB)“Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it.”Describes the Day of Atonement sin offering whose blood the high priest brought behind the veil.
- Hebrews 9:7 (BSB)“But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.”Shows the high priest entered the inner room only once a year and never without blood.
- Hebrews 9:12 (BSB)“He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.”Shows Christ entered once for all by His own blood, securing eternal redemption.
General
On the seventh month's tenth day, what were the people told to do besides gathering for the sacred assembly and refraining from work (29:7)?
Answer: Humble themselves before the LORD
The seventh month's tenth day was a sacred assembly on which the people were to humble themselves and do no work of any kind (29:7). This day is known as the Day of Atonement, the day each year when atonement was made to cleanse Israel from all their sins (Leviticus 16:29-30; 23:27-28). Humbling themselves meant a deep, sorrowful turning to God, commonly expressed by fasting; by New Testament times the day was simply called the Fast (Acts 27:9). Unlike the other feast days, which forbade only regular work, this day forbade all work.
- Numbers 29:7 (BSB)“On the tenth day of this seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you shall humble yourselves; you must not do any work.”The tenth day of the seventh month: a sacred assembly, humbling themselves, and no work at all.
- Leviticus 16:29-30 (BSB)“This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you— because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.”Shows this tenth day was when atonement was made to cleanse Israel from all their sins.
- Leviticus 23:27-28 (BSB)““The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God.”Names the tenth day of the seventh month the Day of Atonement and repeats the call to humble themselves.
- Acts 27:9 (BSB)“By now much time had passed, and the voyage had already become dangerous because it was after the Fast. So Paul advised them,”Shows the day was known as the Fast in New Testament times, reflecting how Israel humbled itself on it.
Theological
Besides the sacred assembly and cessation of work, what does Numbers 29:7 require of Israel on the seventh month's tenth day?
Answer: That they humble themselves before God
The seventh month's tenth day requires sacred assembly, self-humbling, and the cessation of all work, not merely regular work (29:7). It is known as the Day of Atonement, on which atonement was made to cleanse Israel from all its sins (Leviticus 16:29-30; 23:27-28). The self-humbling was traditionally expressed in fasting, so that Luke can refer to the day simply as the Fast (Acts 27:9).
- Numbers 29:7 (BSB)“On the tenth day of this seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you shall humble yourselves; you must not do any work.”The tenth day of the seventh month: a sacred assembly, humbling themselves, and no work at all.
- Leviticus 16:29-30 (BSB)“This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you— because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.”Shows this tenth day was when atonement was made to cleanse Israel from all their sins.
- Leviticus 23:27-28 (BSB)““The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God.”Names the tenth day of the seventh month the Day of Atonement and repeats the call to humble themselves.
- Acts 27:9 (BSB)“By now much time had passed, and the voyage had already become dangerous because it was after the Fast. So Paul advised them,”Shows the day was known as the Fast in New Testament times, reflecting how Israel humbled itself on it.
General
How many young bulls were offered as burnt offerings on the opening day of this feast (29:13)?
Answer: Thirteen
On the feast's opening day Israel offered thirteen bulls, a pair of rams, and fourteen yearling lambs as burnt offerings, each with its portion of grain, plus a goat for sin (29:13-16). Outside this feast, no day in the calendar came close. The new moon and the seven days of unleavened bread each called for two bulls a day (28:11, 19), and the other holy days that month called for just one (29:2, 8). The rams and lambs were also doubled compared with those days. This harvest feast at the end of the year was the richest in offerings.
- Numbers 29:13 (BSB)“As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The first day's burnt offering: thirteen bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs.
- Numbers 28:11 (BSB)“At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”Shows that the new moon required only two bulls, far fewer than this feast's first day.
- Numbers 28:19 (BSB)“Present to the LORD a food offering, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished.”Shows the feast of unleavened bread likewise required two bulls a day, for comparison.
Theological
How many bulls does Numbers 29:13 require for the burnt offering on the feast's first day?
Answer: Thirteen
The feast's opening day calls for thirteen bulls, a pair of rams, and fourteen yearling lambs, with accompanying grain and a goat for sin (29:13-16). This dwarfs every occasion outside this feast: the new moon and Unleavened Bread require two bulls daily (28:11, 19), and the other seventh-month days only one (29:2, 8), with half as many rams and lambs. The autumn harvest feast is by far the most lavish in its sacrifices.
- Numbers 29:13 (BSB)“As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The first day's burnt offering: thirteen bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs.
- Numbers 28:11 (BSB)“At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”Shows that the new moon required only two bulls, far fewer than this feast's first day.
- Numbers 28:19 (BSB)“Present to the LORD a food offering, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished.”Shows the feast of unleavened bread likewise required two bulls a day, for comparison.
General
True or False: The offerings for the seventh month's opening day took the place of that day's usual monthly and daily offerings.
Answer: False
This is false. Verse 6 says these offerings came on top of the new moon offering and the everyday burnt offering, each with its own grain and drink portions (29:6). Because this day was also a new moon, the start of a month, three sets of offerings were stacked together: the regular daily lambs (28:3), the new moon offering required at the start of every month (28:11), and the special offerings for this day. Nothing God had already commanded was dropped; each holy day added more.
- Numbers 29:6 (BSB)“These are in addition to the monthly and daily burnt offerings with their prescribed grain offerings and drink offerings. They are a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD.”The offerings of the first day of the seventh month are added to the monthly and daily offerings.
- Numbers 28:11 (BSB)“At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”Shows the new moon offering already required at the start of every month, including the seventh.
- Numbers 28:3 (BSB)“And tell them that this is the food offering you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs.”Shows the daily burnt offering required every day, which continued on this day as well.
Theological
True or False: According to Numbers 29:6, the offerings of the seventh month's opening day superseded that day's new moon and continual offerings.
Answer: False
This is false. The festival offerings are expressly additional to the new moon and continual offerings with their required accompaniments (29:6). Since the day coincided with the new moon, the calendar's cumulative principle stacked three strata of sacrifice: the continual offering (28:3), the new moon offering (28:11), and the offerings proper to the day. No prior obligation lapsed.
- Numbers 29:6 (BSB)“These are in addition to the monthly and daily burnt offerings with their prescribed grain offerings and drink offerings. They are a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD.”The offerings of the first day of the seventh month are added to the monthly and daily offerings.
- Numbers 28:11 (BSB)“At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”Shows the new moon offering already required at the start of every month, including the seventh.
- Numbers 28:3 (BSB)“And tell them that this is the food offering you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs.”Shows the daily burnt offering required every day, which continued on this day as well.