“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)
This wasn't just a small monthly offering; the quantity of animals here is actually more than what was required for the Sabbath. This points to the special significance of the new moon as a time to dedicate the start of each new month to God, acknowledging His sovereignty over all their time.
“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)
This passage comes after instructions for daily and Sabbath offerings, setting a rhythm for regular worship. It details the sacrifices for the first day of each month, a practice observed with trumpets and special observances that distinguished it from ordinary days. These monthly sacrifices, alongside the daily and weekly ones, illustrate God's desire for His people to acknowledge Him consistently throughout the passing of time.
Why did God require a special sacrifice at the start of each month? It wasn't just about marking time; it was about acknowledging who truly owned it.
The monthly sacrifice, or the New Moon offering, was a powerful reminder to the Israelites that God wasn't just Lord over their worship or their lives, but over their time itself. Every new month, they were to present significant offerings – two bulls, a ram, and seven lambs. This wasn't a small gesture; it was a substantial acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over the entire cycle of days, weeks, and months.
A Monthly Re-Dedication
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The specific animals offered weren't random. Their number and type speak volumes about the seriousness and scope of this monthly dedication.
The burnt offering for the New Moon was substantial: two bulls, one ram, and seven lambs. This wasn't a minimal tribute; it pointed to a profound theological truth about Israel's relationship with God.
A Hierarchy of Sacrifice
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.
The monthly sacrifices at the New Moon were not just ritualistic; they served to sanctify time, counteract pagan lunar worship, and remind the people of God's ongoing provision and their covenant relationship, especially as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
c. 1440 BC
Wilderness Wanderings Begin
After the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites began their journey through the Sinai desert, receiving laws and instructions for worship and community life.
c. 1440-1400 BC
Tabernacle Construction and Dedication
The tabernacle, the portable sanctuary for God's presence, was constructed and consecrated according to divine instructions given to Moses. This established the central site for sacrifices and worship.
c. 1440-1400 BC
Sinai Covenant Established
At Mount Sinai, God established a covenant with Israel, laying out the terms of their relationship and providing the Law, including detailed regulations for sacrifices and festivals.
c. 1440-1400 BC— this verse
New Moon Observance Mandated
The LORD instructed Moses on the specific sacrifices to be offered at the beginning of each month (New Moon), establishing it as a regular observance alongside daily and weekly sacrifices.
c. 1400 BC
Entry into Promised Land Awaited
The Israelites were on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, with the established laws and rituals intended to guide their life as God's people in the new territory.
This passage lays the groundwork for all of Israel's appointed festivals, emphasizing that they are divine appointments ('My feasts') that are to be observed, including those that fall at the beginning of months.
Psalm 81:3This psalm directly calls for the blowing of trumpets and the offering of sacrifices on the New Moon, echoing the specific instructions given in Numbers 28:11.
2 Kings 4:23This passage shows that in later Israelite history, the beginning of the month (New Moon) was a time when people would set aside ordinary activities to seek instruction from prophets, highlighting its ongoing religious significance.
Amos 8:5This prophetic indictment of Israel reveals that the New Moon, like the Sabbath, was a day when ordinary business was suspended, indicating its status as a day of religious observance and rest.
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 wasn't just a small monthly offering; the quantity of animals here is actually more than what was required for the Sabbath. This points to the special significance of the new moon as a time to dedicate the start of each new month to God, acknowledging His sovereignty over all their time.
This passage comes after instructions for daily and Sabbath offerings, setting a rhythm for regular worship. It details the sacrifices for the first day of each month, a practice observed with trumpets and special observances that distinguished it from ordinary days. These monthly sacrifices, alongside the daily and weekly ones, illustrate God's desire for His people to acknowledge Him consistently throughout the passing of time.
This passage comes after instructions for daily and Sabbath offerings, setting a rhythm for regular worship. It details the sacrifices for the first day of each month, a practice observed with trumpets and special observances that distinguished it from ordinary days. These monthly sacrifices, alongside the daily and weekly ones, illustrate God's desire for His people to acknowledge Him consistently throughout the passing of time.
"“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 wasn't just a small monthly offering; the quantity of animals here is actually more than what was required for the Sabbath. This points to the special significance of the new moon as a time to…
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Last reviewed October 2026