Numbers 28:11
“At the beginnings of your months, you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD: two bulls from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This seemingly straightforward command reveals a deeper emphasis on God's ownership of all time, not just sacred days but the very start of each month, demanding a generous sacrifice that surpassed even the Sabbath offerings. It highlights how God desired to be acknowledged as the source of every season and blessing, even as it pointed towards a future renewal through Christ.
This passage is part of a larger section detailing the prescribed offerings for various occasions throughout the year, including daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices. It follows instructions for the daily burnt offering and precedes the offerings for specific festivals, laying out a rhythm of worship and remembrance for the Israelite community. The context highlights that this monthly observance, the New Moon offering, was a regular way to acknowledge God's sovereignty over time and the renewal of months.
Why did God require such a significant sacrifice at the start of each month? It wasn't just a routine; it was a profound statement of faith.
The monthly burnt offering, especially the substantial number of animals like two bulls, one ram, and seven lambs, wasn't just another religious duty. It was a deliberate act to anchor the Israelites' understanding of time in God's authority.
A Monthly Reset
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Beyond the sacrifice, what did the beginning of the month signify for the daily lives of the Israelites?
The new moon wasn't just a day for animal sacrifice; it developed into a significant occasion for worship, instruction, and even rest, mirroring the importance of the Sabbath.
More Than Just Meat
Understand the original words
olah · Hebrew Noun
A sacrifice wholly consumed by fire, representing the total dedication and surrender of the worshiper to God, and signifying atonement for sin.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel, revealed to Moses, signifying His self-existence, holiness, and faithfulness to His people.
tamim · Hebrew Adjective
A term used in Levitical law to describe an animal or object that is sound, complete, and free from physical defects, representing the requirement for excellence and purity in offerings to God.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
Wilderness Wanderings Begin
After their Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites are wandering in the Sinai wilderness. God gives them laws and instructions for their journey, including detailed regulations for sacrifices and festivals.
c. 1440 BC
Tabernacle Construction Authorized
God instructs Moses on the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that would serve as the center of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites during their travels.
c. 1440 BC
Sinai Covenant Established
At Mount Sinai, God formally establishes His covenant with the Israelites, granting them His law and commissioning them as His people. This period sees extensive instruction on worship and ritual.
This passage details the offering of incense on the altar of incense every morning and evening, which, like the monthly sacrifices, was a regular, divinely appointed act of worship and atonement. It highlights the consistent need for God's people to approach Him with prescribed offerings.
Psalm 81:1-3This psalm explicitly calls for the blowing of trumpets and the offering of sacrifices at the new moon, directly referencing the occasion described in Numbers 28:11. It shows how this monthly observance was intended to be a time of joyful worship and remembrance of God's faithfulness.
2 Kings 4:23This passage shows the practice of seeking God's word from the prophet on the new moon, indicating that these monthly observances were not just about sacrifices but also about spiritual instruction and communion with God, aligning with the spirit of Numbers 28:11.
Amos 8:5The prophet Amos condemns those who impatiently await the end of the new moon festival to resume their dishonest business practices. This demonstrates that the new moon was a recognized holy day, a time set apart for worship, as mandated in Numbers 28:11.
bensonNumbers 28:11: "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;"
Numbers 28:11 . In the beginning of your months — The third stated sacrifice was monthly, to be offered on the first day of every month. This sacrifice to God is thought to have been ordained in opposition to the idolatry of the Gentiles, who were wont to worship the new moon with great rejoicings. Besides the celebrati…
calvinNumbers 28:1-15: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
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.
Haec autem libamina eorum e vino: dimidium hin etiam in singulos juvencos, et tertia pars hin in arietem, et quarta pars hin in singulos agnos. Hoc est holocaustum singulorum mensium per singulos menses…
This seemingly straightforward command reveals a deeper emphasis on God's ownership of all time, not just sacred days but the very start of each month, demanding a generous sacrifice that surpassed even the Sabbath offerings. It highlights how God desired to be acknowledged as the source of every season and blessing, even as it pointed towards a future renewal through Christ.
This passage is part of a larger section detailing the prescribed offerings for various occasions throughout the year, including daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices. It follows instructions for the daily burnt offering and precedes the offerings for specific festivals, laying out a rhythm of worship and remembrance for the Israelite community. The context highlights that this monthly observance, the New Moon offering, was a regular way to acknowledge God's sovereignty over time and the renewal of months.
This passage is part of a larger section detailing the prescribed offerings for various occasions throughout the year, including daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices. It follows instructions for the daily burnt offering and precedes the offerings for specific festivals, laying out a rhythm of worship and remembrance for the Israelite community. The context highlights that this monthly observance, the New Moon offering, was a regular way to acknowledge God's sovereignty over time and the renewal of months.
"“At the beginnings of your months, you shall offer a burnt offering to the LORD: two bulls from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish;" — This seemingly straightforward command reveals a deeper emphasis on God's ownership of all time, not just sacred days but the very start of each month, demanding a generous sacrifice that surpassed e…
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