Numbers 29 commentary

There were more sacred solemnities in the seventh month than in any other. It was the space between harvest and seed-time. The more leisure we have from the pressing occupations of this life, the more time we should spend in the immediate service of God. The blowing of the trumpets was appointed, Le 22:24. Here they are directed what sacrifices to offer on that day. Those who would know the mind of God in the Scriptures, must compare one part with another. The latter discoveries of Divine light explain what was dark, and supply what was wanting, in the former, that the man of God may be perfect.

Soon after the day of atonement, the day in which men were to afflict their souls, followed the feast of Tabernacles, in which they were to rejoice before the Lord. Their days of rejoicing were to be days of sacrifices. A disposition to be cheerful does us good, when it encourages our hearts in the duties of God's service. All the days of dwelling in booths they must offer sacrifices; while we are here in a tabernacle state, it is our interest, as well as our duty, constantly to keep up communion with God. The sacrifices for each of the seven days are appointed. Every day there must be a sin-offering, as in the other feasts. Our burnt-offerings of praise cannot be accepted of God, unless we have an interest in the great sacrifice which Christ offered, when he made himself a Sin-offering for us. And no extraordinary services should put aside stated devotions. Every thing here reminds us of our sinfulness. The life that we live in the flesh must be by the faith of the Son of God; until we go to be with him, to behold his glory, and praise his mercy, who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. To whom be honour and glory for ever. Amen.

1 And in the seventh month. I have already observed that the festivals are not here (generally) treated of, but only the sacrifices, by which their solemnization was to be graced. In the beginning of the seventh month was the memorial, as it was called, of the blowing of trumpets. Because it was a minor festival, Moses only commands one bullock to be killed; but the number was increased on other grounds, for we have already seen that on the first of every month two bullocks were sacrificed. This day, therefore, had three larger victims, whilst the number of the others was doubled, so that there were two rams and fourteen lambs. Thus, then, God consecrated this day doubly to Himself, so that one celebration diminished nothing of the other; else He might have seemed to have abrogated what He had once commanded. The memorial of trumpets was not, then, an abolition of the new-moon, but they kept both ordinances at the same time.

7. And ye shall have on the tenth day. This was the day of Atonement. For although they never came into God’s presence without supplication for pardon, they then in a special manner confessed their sins, because a fast was appointed in token of their guilt. For thus it is written in Leviticus 23:29,

"Whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people."

As to the sacrifices, one bullock only is required; the rest is as before, except that an exception is added, which was omitted in the former cases. For another propitiation is appointed besides the goat, to accord with the fact of their affliction. For the acknowledgment of guilt would have been a dreadful torment to their consciences without the hope of reconciliation. The reason of this sacrifice will be soon explained.

12. And on the fifteenth, day. Amongst their festivals this last was the chief “La plus authentique.” — Fr. in which they dwelt in tabernacles for seven days; for whereas in the Passover they commemorated the night in which they came forth free from the plagues of Egypt, by dwelling in tabernacles they embraced the whole forty years in which their fathers in the desert experienced the constant and consummate bounty of God. That solemn convention, too, availed for another present purpose, i.e., of thanksgiving to God for the ingathering of the harvest. Hence it was that they offered sacrifices every day and in greater number: on the first day, thirteen bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs; on the second, twelve bullocks; on the third, eleven; on the fourth, ten; on the fifth, nine; on the sixth, eight; finally, on the seventh, seven; and on the eighth, one. Nor is it carelessly that Moses expends so many words on the recital; first, that nothing might be done except at God’s command; secondly, lest it should be disagreeable or onerous to be at such great expense, which they would have gladly avoided. Wherefore, that they might cheerfully obey God’s command, he diligently inculcates what victims God would have daily offered to Him. But why the distribution was so unequal, I confess, is not clear to me, and it is better to confess my ignorance than by too subtle speculations to vanish into mere smoke. Scott’s conjecture is not without force: “The decrease of the number of the bullocks which were sacrificed on the several days of the feast, until on the last and great day only one was offered, is the most observable circumstance in this law. The reason is not evident, unless it be intimated that the Mosaic institution would gradually wax old, and at length vanish away when the promised Messiah came. (Hebrews 8:7-13.)” As a specimen of the ancient opinions, I subjoin the following, — “The Hebrews say that the offerings were made for other nations; and, therefore, seventy calves were offered altogether, according to the number of the seventy nations, divided into seventy languages. But fourteen calves were offered on the first day, and on the second day thirteen, thus decreasing one every day to the last inclusive; by which is designated that the dominion of the Gentiles was to be diminished and terminated under King Messiah, to whom all nations are to be subdued,” etc. — De Lyra, in loco. This notion, indeed, is neither curious nor to be rejected, i.e., that, by daily diminishing the number, they came at last on the seventh day to the number seven, which is the symbol of perfection; for the eighth was superadded, merely as a conclusion. Finally, Moses subjoins that in the continual sacrifice, as well as these extraordinary ones, they should hold fast to what God prescribes, so that nothing should be altered according to man’s fancy. The sacrifices which depend on the Commandments of the Second Table, I have designedly postponed to their proper place.

The GREAT yearly Atonement

Leviticus 16

Leviticus 16:1-34

1. And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;

1. Loquutus est autem Jehova ad Mosen postquam mortui sunt duo ex filiis Aharon: qui dum accederent coram Jehova mortui sunt.

2. And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

2. Dixitque Jellova ad Mosen, Loquere ad Aharon fratrem tuum, ut ne ingrediatnr omni tempore sanctuarium intra velum coram propitiatorio quod est supra arcata, ne moriatur: in nube enim apparebo supra propitiatorium.

3. Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.

3. Cum hoc ingredietur Aharon sanctuarium, eum juvenco filio bovis in hostiam pro peccato, et ariete in holocaustum.

4. He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

4. Tunica linca saneta induet se, et femoralia linea erunt super carnem ejus, balteoque lineo accinget se, et mitra linea velabit sese: vestes sanctitatis sunt: lavabitque aqua carnem suam, et induct se illis.

5. And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

5. A coetu autem filiorum Israel accipiet duos hircos caprarum in hostiam pro peccato, et arietem unum in holocaustum.

6. And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

6. Offeretque Aharon juvencum sacrificii pro peccato suum, et expiationem faciet pro se et pro domo sua.

7. And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

7. Postea caplet duos hircum, quos statuet coram Jehova ad ostium tabernaculi conventionis.

8. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.

8. Mittetque Aharon super duos illos hircum sortes, sortem unam Jehovae, et sortem alteram pro azazel.

9. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.

9. Offeret autem Aharon hircum super quem ceciderit sots pro Jehovae, et faciet eum pro peccato.

10. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

10. Hircum vero super quem ceciderit sors pro azazel, statuet vivum coram Jehova ad emundandum per illum, ad emittendum illum in azazel in desertum.

11. And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:

11. Offeret autem Aharon juvencum pro hostia peccati suum, et expiationem faciet pro se et pro domo sua, mactabitque juvencum pro hostia peccati suum.

12. And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:

12. Assumet quoque plenum thuribulum prunis ignitis de altari a conspectu Jehovae, et plenas volas suas de incenso aromatico comminuto, et inferet intra velum.

13. And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:

13. Ponetque incensum super ignero coram Jehova: operietque nubes incensi propitiatorium quod est super testimonium, et non morietur.

14. And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

14. Deinde accipiet de sanguine juvenei, et asperget digito suo contra faciem propitiatorii ad orientem: coram propitiatorio inquam asperget septem vicibus de sanguine illo, digito suo.

15. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

15. Mactabit praeterea hircum hostiam pro petcato, qui fuerit populi, et inferet sanguinem ejus intra velum: facietque de sanguine ejus quemadmodum fecit de sanguine juvenci, aspergens scilicet illum supra propitiatorium, et coram propitiatorio.

16. And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

16. Et emundabit sanctuarium ab immunditiis filiorum Israel, eta praevaricationibus eorum, cunctisque pectaris eorum: sic quoque faciet tabernaculo conventionis quod moratur cum eis in medio immunditiarum corum.

17. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.

17. Nullus autem homo erit in tabernaculo conventionis dum egredietur ipse ad emundandum in sanctuario, donec egrediatur ipse: et expiationem fecerit pro se et pro domo sua, et pro universo coetu Israel.

18. And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.

18. Exibit autem ad altare quod est coram Jehova: et expiabit illud: tolletque de sanguine juvenci, ac de sanguine hirci, et ponet super cornua altaris per circuitum.

19. And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

19. Aspergetque super illud de sanguine illo, digito suo, septem vicibus, ac mundabit illud, sanctificabitque ab immunditiis filiorum Israel.

20. And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:

20. Qunm autem finierit expiare sanctuarium tabernaculumque conventionis et altare, tune offeret hircum vivum.

21. And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

21. Imponetque Aharon ambas manus suas super caput hirei vivi, et confitebitur super illud onmes iniquitates filiorum Israel, et omnes praevaricationes eorum cum omnibus peccatis eorum: et ponet illa super caput hirci, ac emitter ilium per manum viri praeparati in desertum.

22. And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

22. Et portabit hircus ille super se omnes iniquitates eorum in terram inhabitabilem: et abire sinet hircum ilium in deserto.

23. And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:

23. Veniet post haec Aharon in tabernaculmunconventionis, et exuet se vestibus lineis, quibus induerat se dum ingrederetur sanctuarium, et ponet eas ibi.

24. And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.

24. Lavabitque carnem suam aqua in loco sancto: et induct se vestibus suis: egredietur autem et faciet holocaustum populi, et expiationem faciet pro se et pro populo.

25. And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.

25. Adipem vero hostira pro peccato adolebit super altare.

26. And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.

26. Qui veto deduxerit hircum in azazel, lavabit vestimenta sua, postea quam laverit carnem suam aqua, et postea ingredietur castra ipsa.

27. And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.

27. Juvencum autem pro peccato, et hircum pro delicto quorum illatus fuerit sanguis ad emundandum in sanctuario, educet extra castra, et comburent igni pellem eorum, et carnes eorum, et fimum eorum.

28. And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

28. Et qui combusserit ea, lavabit, vestimenta sua, postquam laverit carnem suam aqua, et postea ingredietur castra.

29. And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

29. Eritque vobis in statutum perpetuum: mense septimo decima die mensis affligetis animas vestras: neque opus ullum facietis, indigena et peregrinus qui peregrinatur in medio vestri.

30. For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

30. In hac enim die expiabit vos ut emundet vos ab omnibus peccatis vestris, coram Jehova mundabimini.

31. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.

31. Sabbathum quietis est vobis, et affligetis animas vestras statuto perpetuo.

32. And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:

32. Expiabit enim sacerdos quem unxerit ungens, et cujus consecraverit manum ad fungendum sacrificio pro patre suo, inductque se vestibus lineis, vestibus sanctis.

33. And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar; and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.

33. Et expiabit sanctuarium sanctitatis et tabernaculum conventionis, altare quoqne expiabit et sacerdotes, et cunctum populum congregationis expiabit.

34. And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.

34. Eritque hoe vobis in statutum perpetuum, ad emundandum filios Israel ab omnibus peccatis suis, semel quotannis. Et fecit Moses secundum quod praeceperat ei Jehova.

CHAPTER 29

Nu 29:1-40. The Offering at the Feast of Trumpets.

1. in the seventh month--of the ecclesiastical year, but the first month of the civil year, corresponding to our September. It was, in fact, the New Year's Day, which had been celebrated among the Hebrews and other contemporary nations with great festivity and joy and ushered in by a flourish of trumpets. This ordinance was designed to give a religious character to the occasion by associating it with some solemn observances. (Compare Ex 12:2; Le 23:24).

it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you--This made it a solemn preparation for the sacred feasts--a greater number of which were held during this month than at any other season of the year. Although the institution of this feast was described before, there is more particularity here as to what the burnt offering should consist of; and, in addition to it, a sin offering is prescribed. The special offerings, appointed for certain days, were not to interfere with the offerings usually requisite on these days, for in Nu 29:6 it is said that the daily offerings, as well as those for the first day of the month, were to take place in their ordinary course.

7-11. ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation--This was the great day of atonement. Its institution, together with the observance to which that day was devoted, was described (Le 16:29, 30). But additional offerings seem to be noticed, namely, the large animal sacrifice for a general expiation, which was a sweet savor unto the Lord, and the sin offering to atone for the sins that mingled with that day's services. The prescriptions in this passage appear supplementary to the former statement in Leviticus.

12-34. on the fifteenth day--was to be held the feast of booths or tabernacles. (See Le 23:34, 35). The feast was to last seven days, the first and last of which were to be kept as Sabbaths, and a particular offering was prescribed for each day, the details of which are given with a minuteness suited to the infant state of the church. Two things are deserving of notice: First, that this feast was distinguished by a greater amount and variety of sacrifices than any other--partly because, occurring at the end of the year, it might be intended to supply any past deficiencies--partly because, being immediately after the ingathering of the fruits, it ought to be a liberal acknowledgment--and partly, perhaps, because God consulted the weakness of mankind, who naturally grow weary both of the charge and labor of such services when they are long-continued, and made them every day less toilsome and expensive [Patrick]. Secondly, it will be remarked that the sacrifices varied in a progressive ratio of decrease every day.

35-40. On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly--The feast of tabernacles was brought to a close on the eighth day, which was the great day (Joh 7:37). Besides the common routine sacrifices, there were special offerings appointed for that day though these were fewer than on any of the preceding days; and there were also, as was natural on that occasion when vast multitudes were convened for a solemn religious purpose, many spontaneous gifts and services, so that there was full scope for the exercise of a devout spirit in the people, both for their obedience to the statutory offerings, and by the presentation of those which were made by free will or in consequence of vows.

And in the seventh month, etc. - This was the beginning of their civil year, and was a time of great festivity, and was ushered in by the blowing of trumpets. It answers to a part of our September. In imitation of the Jews different nations began their new year with sacrifices and festivity. The ancient Egyptians did so; and the Persians still celebrate their nawi rooz, or new year's day, which they hold on the vernal equinox. The first day of the year is generally a time of festivity in all civilized nations. On this day the Israelites offered one young bullock, one ram, seven lambs, and a kid, for a sin-offering, besides minchahs or meat-offerings.

On the tenth day - See the notes on Lev 16:29, and Lev 23:24 (note).

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month - On this day there was to be a solemn assembly, and for seven days sacrifices were to be offered; on the first day thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs. On each succeeding day one bullock less, till on the seventh day there were only seven, making in all seventy. What an expensive service! How should we magnify God for being delivered from it! Yet these were all the taxes they had to pay. At the public charge there were annually offered to God, independently of trespass-offerings and voluntary vows, fifteen goats, twenty-one kids, seventy-two rams, one hundred and thirty-two bullocks, and eleven hundred and one lambs! But how little is all this when compared with the lambs slain every year at the passover, which amounted in one year to the immense number of 255,600 slain in the temple itself, which was the answer that Cestius, the Roman general, received when he asked the priests how many persons had come to Jerusalem at their annual festivals; the priests, numbering the people by the lambs that had been slain, said, "twenty-five myriads, five thousand and six hundred." - For an account of the feast of tabernacles, see on Lev 23:34 (note).

On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly - This among the Jews was esteemed the chief or high day of the feast, though fewer sacrifices were offered on it than on the others; the people seem to have finished the solemnity with a greater measure of spiritual devotion, and it was on this day of the feast that our blessed Lord called the Jews from the letter to the spirit of the law, proposing himself as the sole fountain whence they could derive the streams of salvation, Joh 7:37. On the subject of this chapter see the notes on Lev 12:1-8 (note), Leviticus 16 (note), Leviticus 23 (note).

Of the month - Belonging to every new moon.

Afflict your souls - Yourselves, by fasting and abstinence from all delightful things, and by compunction for your sins, and the judgments of God, either deserved by you or inflicted upon you.

Seven days - Not by abstaining so long from all servile work, but by offering extraordinary sacrifices each day. This was the Feast of Tabernacles. And all the days of their dwelling in booths, they must offer sacrifices. While we are in these tabernacles, 'tis our interest as well as duty, to keep up our communion with God. Nor will the unsettledness of our outward condition, excuse our neglect of God's worship.

1 AND in the seventh month , on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation, Ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.

So it was in their Ecclesiastical account, in which the moneth Abib was the first: but as to civil matters this was the first moneth.

Whereby the people were admonished solemnly to prepare themselves for the feasts, which were as many in this moneth, as in all the year besides.

Marginal references: Lev. 23. 2▪

2 And ye shall offer a burnt-offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD, one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish.

Besides the offerings of every moneth and day, as is expressed ver. 6.

6 Beside the burnt-offering of the month , and his meat-offering, and the daily burnt-offering, and his meat-offering, and their drink-offerings according to their manner for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

Belonging to every new moon, of which see Numb. 28. 11, 12. 2 Chron. 2. 4.

According to the order, rites and ceremonies appointed by God.

Marginal references: chap. 28. [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪; chap. 28. [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪

7 And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls : ye shall not do any work therein.

(i. e.) Your selves, by fasting and abstinence from all delightful things, and by compunction and bitter sorrow for your sins and the judgments of God either deserved by you or inflicted upon you for your sins. See Levit. 16. 29, 30. and 23. 27.

Marginal references: Lev. 16. [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ and 23. 2[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪

11 One kid of the goats for a sin-offering, beside the sin-offering of atonement , and the continual burnt-offering, and the meat-offering of it, and their drink-offerings.

By which the High-priest made atonement, of which see Lev. 16. 9, 29, 30.

Marginal references: Lev. 16. 3[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪

12 And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, ye shall have an holy convocation, ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven dayes .

The feast of booths, of which see Lev. 23. 34, 35. Deut. 16. 13.

Not by abstaining so long from all servile works, but by offering extraordinary sacrifices each day.

Marginal references: Lev. 23. 3[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪

13 And ye shall offer a burnt-offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD, thirteen young bullocks , two rams and fourteen lambs of the first year: they shall be without blemish.

More sacrifices than at any other feast, partly because this feast was in the close of the year, when it was meet to supply the defects of the year past, and when they had gathered in all their fruits, Deut. 16. 13, 15. and therefore ought to make the larger returns and acknowledgment to God; partly because it was Gods pleasure so to order it, for reasons known to himself, in whose will we ought to acquiesce. And the same reason holds why these sacrifices grew fewer and fewer every day.

More sacrifices than at any other feast, partly because this feast was in the close of the year, when it was meet to supply the defects of the year past, and when they had gathered in all their fruits, Deut. 16. 13, 15. and therefore ought to make the larger returns and acknowledgment to God; partly because it was Gods pleasure so to order it, for reasons known to himself, in whose will we ought to acquiesce. And the same reason holds why these sacrifices grew fewer and fewer every day.

Marginal references: Ezra 3. [illegible: 1+ letters] ▪

18 And their meat-offering, and their drinkofferings, for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner :

Of which see for meat-offerings, ver. 3, 4, 9, 10. and for drink-offerings, Numb. 28. 7, 14.

36 But ye shall offer a burnt-offering, a sacrifice made by fire of a sweet savour unto the LORD, one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish:

This was the last and great day of the feast, as it is called, Io[illegible: 1+ letters]. 7. 37. and yet the sacrifices were fewer than any other day, to teach them not to trust to the multitude of their sacrifices, nor to expect remission of sins from them, but from the one and onely sacrifice of Christ.

39 These things ye shall do unto the LORD, in your set feasts, besides your vows, and your free-will-offerings , for your burnt-offerings, and for your meat-offerings, and for your drinkofferings, and for your peace-offerings.

Your ordinary sacrifices shall not be omitted because of the extraordinary, which ye offer on special occasions.

Marginal references: offer.; Lev. 7. 11, 16.

Num 29:1-6

The festal sacrifice for the new moon of the seventh month consisted of a burnt-offering of one bullock, one ram, and seven yearling lambs, with the corresponding meat-offerings and drink-offerings, and a sin-offering of a he-goat, “besides” (i.e., in addition to) the monthly and daily burnt-offering, meat-offering, and drink-offering. Consequently the sacrifices presented on the seventh new moon’s day were, (1) a yearling lamb in the morning and evening, with their meat-offering and drink-offering; (2) in the morning, after the daily sacrifice, the ordinary new moon’s sacrifice, consisting of two bullocks, one ram, and seven yearling lambs, with their corresponding meat-offerings and drink-offerings (see at Num 29:11); (3) the sin-offering of the he-goat, together with the burnt-offering of one bullock, one ram, and seven yearling lambs, with their proper meat-offerings and drink-offerings, the meaning of which has been pointed out at Lev 23:23.

Num 29:7-11

On the day of atonement, on the tenth of the seventh month, a similar festal sacrifice was to be offered to the one presented on the seventh new moon’s day (a burnt-offering and sin-offering), in addition to the sin-offering of atonement prescribed at Lev 16, and the daily burnt-offerings. For a more minute description of this festival, see at Lev 16 and Lev 23:26-32.

Num 29:12-34

The feast of Tabernacles, the special regulations for the celebration of which are contained in Lev 23:34-36 and Lev 23:39-43, was distinguished above all the other feasts of the year by the great number of burnt-offerings, which raised it into the greatest festival of joy. On the seven feast-days, the first of which was to be celebrated with sabbatical rest and a holy meeting, there were to be offered, in addition to the daily burnt-offering, every day a he-goat for a sin-offering, and seventy oxen in all for a burnt-offering during the seven days, as well as every day two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, with the requisite meat-offerings and drink-offerings. Whilst, therefore, the number of rams and lambs was double the number offered at the Passover and feast of Pentecost, the number of oxen was fivefold; for, instead of fourteen, there were seventy offered during the seven days. This multiplication of the oxen was distributed in such a way, that instead of there being ten offered every day, there were thirteen on the first day, twelve on the second, and so on, deducting one every day, so that on the seventh day there were exactly seven offered; the arrangement being probably made for the purpose of securing the holy number seven for this last day, and indicating at the same time, through the gradual diminution in the number of sacrificial oxen, the gradual decrease in the festal character of the seven festal days. The reason for this multiplication in the number of burnt-offerings is to be sought for in the nature of the feast itself. Their living in booths had already visibly represented to the people the defence and blessing of their God; and the foliage of these booths pointed out the glorious advantages of the inheritance received from the Lord. But this festival followed the completion of the ingathering of the fruits of the orchard and vineyard, and therefore was still more adapted, on account of the rich harvest of splendid and costly fruits which their inheritance had yielded, and which they were about to enjoy in peace now that the labour of agriculture was over, to fill their hearts with the greatest joy and gratitude towards the Lord and Giver of them all, and to make this festival a speaking representation of the blessedness of the people of God when resting from their labours. This blessedness which the Lord had prepared for His people, was also expressed in the numerous burnt-offerings that were sacrificed on every one of the seven days, and in which the congregation presented itself soul and body to the Lord, upon the basis of a sin-offering, as a living and holy sacrifice, to be more and more sanctified, transformed, and perfected by the fire of His holy love (see my Archäol. i. p. 416).

Num 29:35-38

The eighth day was to be azereth, a closing feast, and only belonged to the feast of Tabernacles so far as the Sabbath rest and a holy meeting of the seventh feast-day were transferred to it; whilst, so far as its sacrifices were concerned, it resembled the seventh new moon’s day and the day of atonement, and was thus shown to be the octave or close of the second festal circle (see at Lev 23:36).

Num 29:39

The sacrifices already mentioned were to be presented to the Lord on the part of the congregation, in addition to the burnt-offerings, meat-offerings, drink-offerings, and peace-offerings which individuals or families might desire to offer either spontaneously or in consequence of vows. On the vowing of burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, see Num 15:3, Num 15:8; Lev 22:18, Lev 22:21.

Num 29:40 forms the conclusion of the list of sacrifices in ch. 28 and 29.

Solemnities of the Seventh Month. (b. c. 1452.)

1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you. 2 And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the Lord ; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish: 3 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram, 4 And one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 5 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you: 6 Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord . 7 And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein: 8 But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the Lord for a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish: 9 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram, 10 A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 11 One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings.

There were more sacred solemnities in the seventh month than in any other month of the year, not only because it had been the first month till the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt (which, falling in the month Abib, occasioned that to be thenceforth made the beginning of the months in all ecclesiastical computations), but because still it continued the first month in the civil reckonings of the jubilees and years of release, and also because it was the time of vacation between harvest and seedtime, when they had most leisure to attend the sanctuary, which intimates that, though God will dispense with sacrifices in consideration of works of necessity and mercy, yet the more leisure we have from the pressing occasions of this life the more time we should spend in the immediate service of God. 1. We have here the appointment of the sacrifices that were to be offered on the first day of the month, the day of blowing the trumpets, which was a preparative for the two great solemnities of holy mourning on the day of atonement and of holy joy in the feast of tabernacles. The intention of divine institutions is well answered when one religious service helps to fit us for another and all for heaven. The blowing of the trumpets was appointed, Lev. xxiii. 24. Here the people are directed what sacrifices to offer on that day, of which there was not then any mention made. Note, Those who would know the mind of God in the scripture must compare one part of the scripture with another, and put those parts together that have reference to the same thing, for the latter discoveries of divine light explain what was dark and supply what was defective in the former, that the man of God may be perfect. The sacrifices then to be offered are particularly ordered here (v. 2-6), and care taken that these should not supersede the daily oblation and that of the new moon. It is hereby intimated that we must not seek occasions to abate our zeal in God's service, nor be glad of an excuse to omit a good duty, but rather rejoice in an opportunity of accumulating and doing more than ordinary in religion. If we perform family-worship, we must not think that this will excuse us from our secret devotions; nor that on the days we go to church we need not worship God alone and with our families; but we should always abound in the work of the Lord. 2. On the day of atonement. Besides all the services of that day, which we had the institution of, Lev. xvi., and which, one would think, required trouble and charge enough, here are burnt-offerings ordered to be offered, v. 8-10. For in our faith and repentance, those two great gospel graces which were signified by that day's performances, we must have an eye to the glory and honour of God, which was purely intended in the burnt-offerings; there was likewise to be a kid of the goats for a sin-offering, besides the great sin-offering of atonement (v. 11), which intimates that there are so many defects and faults, even in the exercises and expressions of our repentance, that we have need of an interest in a sacrifice to expiate the guilt even of that part of our holy things. Though we must not repent that we have repented, yet we must repent that we have not repented better. It likewise intimated the imperfection of the legal sacrifices, and their insufficiency to take away sin, that on the very day the sin-offering of atonement was offered, yet there must be another sin-offering. But what the law could not do, in that it was weak, that Christ has done.

12 And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: 13 And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord ; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish: 14 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth deals to each ram of the two rams, 15 And a several tenth deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs: 16 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 17 And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot: 18 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 19 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering thereof, and their drink offerings. 20 And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish; 21 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 22 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering. 23 And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: 24 Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 25 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 26 And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot: 27 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 28 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering. 29 And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: 30 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 31 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 32 And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish: 33 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 34 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering. 35 On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein: 36 But ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord : one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish: 37 Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: 38 And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering. 39 These things ye shall do unto the Lord in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings. 40 And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the Lord commanded Moses.

Soon after the day of atonement, that day in which men were to afflict their souls, followed the feast of tabernacles, in which they were to rejoice before the Lord; for those that sow in tears shall soon reap in joy. To the former laws about this feast, which we had, Lev. xxiii. 34, &c., here are added directions about the offerings by fire, which they were to offer unto the Lord during the seven days of that feast, Lev. xxiii. 36. Observe here, 1. Their days of rejoicing were to be days of sacrifices. A disposition to be cheerful does us no harm, nor is any bad symptom, when it is so far from unfitting us for the duties of God's immediate service that it encourages and enlarges our hearts in them. 2. All the days of their dwelling in booths they must offer sacrifices. While we are here in a tabernacle-state, it is our interest as well as duty constantly to keep up communion with God; nor will the unsettledness of our outward condition excuse us in our neglect of the duties of God's worship. 3. The sacrifices for each of the seven days, though differing in nothing but the number of the bullocks, are severally and particularly appointed, which yet is no vain repetition; for God would thus teach them to be very exact in those observances, and to keep an eye of faith fixed upon the institution in every day's work. It likewise intimates that the repetition of the same services, if performed with an upright heart, and with a continued fire of pious and devout affection, is no weariness to God, and therefore we ought not to snuff at it, or to say, Behold, what a weariness it is to us! 4. The number of bullocks (which were the most costly part of the sacrifice) decreased every day. On the first day of the feast they were to offer thirteen, on the second day but twelve, on the third day eleven, &c. So that on the seventh they offered seven; and the last day, though it was the great day of the feast, and celebrated with a holy convocation, yet they were to offer but one bullock; and, whereas on all the other days they offered two rams and fourteen lambs, on this they offered but one ram and seven lambs. Such was the will of the Law-maker, and that is reason enough for the law. Some suggest that God herein considered the infirmity of the flesh, which is apt to grudge the charge and expense of religion; it is therefore ordered to grow less and less, that they might not complain as if God had made them to serve with an offering, Isa. xliii. 23. Or it is hereby intimated to them that the legal dispensation should wax old, and vanish away at last; and the multitude of their sacrifices should end in one great sacrifice, infinitely more worthy than all of them. It was on the last day of the feast, after all these sacrifices had been ordered, that our Lord Jesus stood and cried to those who still thirsted after righteousness (being sensible of the insufficiency of these sacrifices to justify them) to come unto him and drink, John vii. 37. 5. The meat-offerings and drink-offerings attended all the sacrifices, according to their number, after the manner. Be there ever so much flesh, it is no feast without bread and drink, therefore these must never be omitted at God's altar, which was his table. We must not think that doing much in religion will be accepted if we do not do it well, and after the manner that God has appointed. 6. Every day there must be a sin-offering presented, as we observed in the other feasts. Our burnt-offerings of praise cannot be accepted of God unless we have an interest in the great sacrifice of propitiation which Christ offered when for us he made himself a sin-offering. 7. Even when all these sacrifices were offered, yet the continual burnt-offering must not be omitted either morning or evening, but each day this must be offered first in the morning and last in the evening. No extraordinary services should jostle out our stated devotions. 8. Though all these sacrifices were required to be presented by the body of the congregation, at the common charge, yet, besides these, particular persons were to glorify God with their vows and their free-will offerings, v. 39. When God commanded that this they must do, he left room for the generosity of their devotion, a great deal more they might do, not inventing other worships, but abounding in these, as 2 Chron. xxx. 23, 24. Large directions had been given in Leviticus concerning the offerings of all sorts that should be brought by particular persons according to the providences of God concerning them and the graces of God in them. Though every Israelite had an interest in these common sacrifices, yet he must not think that these will serve instead of his vows and his free-will offerings. Thus our ministers' praying with us and for us will not excuse us from praying for ourselves.

CHAP. XXIX.

ANd in the seventh moneth, in the first day of the moneth, yee shall have a convocation of holinesse; yee shall not doe any servile worke: a day of blowing of trumpets shal it be unto you. And ye shal make ready a Burnt-offering for a savour of rest unto Iehovah; one bullocke, a youngling of the herd, one ramme, seven hee-lambes of the first yeare, perfect. And their Meatoffering shall be of fine flower mingled with oyle; three tenth parts for a bullocke, two tenth parts for a ramme. And one tenth part for one lambe, throughout the seven lambes. And one goat-bucke of the goats for a Sin-offering, to make atonement for you.

Beside the Burnt-offering of the moneth, and his Meant-offering, and the continuall Burnt-offering, and his Meat-offering, and their Drink-offerings according to their maner, for a favour of rest; a Fire-offering unto Iehovah.

And in the tenth day of this seventh moneth yee shall have a convocation of holinesse, and ye shall afflict your soules; ye shall not doe any worke. And yee shall offer a Burnt-offering unto Iehovah for a savour of rest; one bullocke, a youngling of the herd, one ramme, seven he-lambs, of the first yeare, perfect shall they be unto you. And their Meat-offering shall be of fine flower, mingled with oyle; three tenth parts for a bullocke, two tenth parts for one ramme. A severall tenth part for one lambe, throughout the seven lambes. One goat-bucke of the goats, for a Sin-offering, beside the Sin-offering of atonements, and the continuall Burnt-offering, and the Meat-offering of it, and their Drinke-offerings.

And in the fifteenth day of the seventh moneth ye shall have a convocation of holinesse; ye shall not doe any servile worke, and ye shall festivally keepe a feast unto Iehovah seven daies. And ye shall offer a Burnt-offering, a Fire-offering for a savour of rest unto Iehovah; thirteene bullocks, younglings of the herd, two rammes, fourteene hee-lambes of the first yeare, they shall be perfect. And their Meat-offering shall be of fine flower, mingled with oile; three tenth parts for one bullocke, throughout the thirteene bullocks; two tenth parts for each ramme, of the two rammes. And a severall tenth part for one lambe, throughout the fourteene lambes.

And one goat-buck of the goats for a Sinoffering, beside the continuall Burnt-offering, his Meat-offering, and his Drinke-offering.

And in the second day, twelve bullockes, younglings of the herd, two rammes, fourteene hee-lambes of the first yeare, perfect.

And their Meat-offering and their Drinkofferings, for the bullockes, for the rammes, and for the-lambes, by the number of them according to the manner. And one goat-bucke of the goats for a Sin-offering, beside the continuall Burnt-offering, and the Meatoffering thereof, and their Drinke-offerings.

And in the third day, eleven bullocks, two rammes, fourteen he-lambs of the first yeare, perfect. And their Meat-offering and their Drinke-offerings, for the bullockes, for the rammes, and for the lambs by the number of them, according to the manner. And one goat-buck for a Sin-offering, beside the continual Burnt-offering, and his Meat-offering, and his Drinke-offering.

And in the fourth day, ten bullockes, two rammes, fourteen he-lambs of the first yeare, perfect. Their Meat-offering and their Drinke-offerings, for the bullockes, for the rammes, and for the lambes, by the number of them, according to the manner. And one goat-bucke of the goats for a Sin-offering, beside the continuall Burnt-offering, his Meat-offering, and his Drinke-offering.

And in the fifth day, nine bullockes, two rammes, fourteen he-lambs of the first yeare, perfect. And their Meat-offering, and their Drinke-offerings, for the bullockes, for the rammes, and for the lambes, by the number of them, according to the manner. And one goat-bucke for a Sin-offering, beside the continuall Burnt-offering, and his Meat-offering, and his Drinke-offering.

And in the sixth day, eight bullockes, two rammes, fourteen he-lambs of the first yeare, perfect. And their Meat-offering, and their Drinke-offerings, for the bullockes, for the rammes, and for the lambes, by the number of them, according to the manner. And one goat-buck for a Sin-offering, beside the continuall Burnt-offering, his Meat-offering, and his Drinke-offering.

And in the seventh day, seven bullockes, two rammes, fourteene hee-lambs of the first yeare, perfect. And their Meat-offering, and their Drinke-offerings, for the Bullocks, for the rammes, and for the lambes, by the number of them, according to the manner.

And one goat-bucke for a Sin-offering, beside the continuall Burnt-offering, his Meatoffering, and his Drinke-offering.

In the eighth day ye shall have a solemne assembly; ye shall not doe any servile worke.

And ye shall offer a Burnt-offering, a Fireoffering for a favour of rest unto Iehovah; one bullocke, one ramme, seven hee-lambs of the first yeare, perfect. Their Meat-offering, and their Drinke-offerings, for the bullocke, for the ramme, and for the lambes, by the number of them, according to the manner.

And one goat-bucke for a Sin-offering, beside the continuall Burnt-offering, and his Meat-offering, and his Drinke-offering.

These things ye shall doe unto Iehovah in your solemne feasts, beside your vowes, and your voluntary offerings, for your Burnt-offerings, and for your Meat-offerings, and for your Drinke-offerings, and for your Peaceofferings. And Moses spake unto the sons of Israel, according to all that Iehovah commanded Moses.

Annotations. THE seventh moneth] called in 1 King. 8. 2. the moneth Ethanim, of the Hebrewes commonly Tisri; of us, September. This moneth was the going out of the yeare, Exod. 23. 16. and the revolution of the yeare, Exod. 34. 22. for then the old yeare went out, and the new began, as touching the Iubilees, Levit. 25. 9, 10. and other civill affaires: but by reason of Israels comming out of Aegypt in Abib, or March, that moneth was made unto them the first of the moneths of the yeare, Exod. 12. 2. So the Ecclesiasticall feasts were reckoned after this order; and that which had beene the first moneth, is here and usually called the seventh. the first day] Hebr. the one day; of which phrase see Gen. 1. 5. blowing of trumpets] of this rite, see Levit. 23. 24. and the Annotations there. Vers. 2. savour of rest] which the Greeke translateth, of sweet smell; the Chaldee, to be accepted with favour before the LORD. See Gen. 8. 21. one bullocke] at every new moone they were to offer two bullockes, one ramme, and seven lambes, Numb. 28. 11. the same were to be offered at this New-moone, and this one bullocke, one ramme, and seven lambes, &c. here mentioned, were added over and beside the Burnt-offering of the moneth, as is after expressed in vers. 6. So this day they sacrificed three bullockes, two rammes, and fourteene lambs for Burnt-offerings, and two goats for Sin, besides the two lambes for the daily oblation. For as the solemnitie was greater, by reason of the blowing of the Trumpets, (which figured the preaching of repentance and beleese in Christ, Esay 58. 1. Mark. 1. 1, 2, 3, 4.) so their service and thankfulnesse unto God was to be testified by the moe sacrifices. And if this new-moone fell to be on the Sabbath, then besides all the former oblations, they offered also the two lambes, which were added for the Sabbath, Numb. 28. 9, 10. The Order of offering is said to be thus; After the daily morning sacrifice was offered, the addition of the Sabbath was first, and after that, the addition of the new-moone; and after it, the addition of this good day (or seast) Maimony in Tamidin, chap. 9. sect. 2. Vers. 6. their manner] Hebr. their judgement, that is, the law and ordinance prescribed of God. So in vers. 18. 21. 24. &c. Vnder this word manner, or judgement, the Hebrews understand the order also h[illegible: 2 letters]e set downe: for whereas sometimes the Sinoffering was offered first, before the Burnt-offering, Leo. 5. 7, 8, 10. in the oblations of the feast (they say) it was not so, but they offered according to the order that is written, as it is said, According to their maner. As, first the Bullocks, and after them the Rams, and after them the Lambs, and after them the Goat-buckes, although the Goat-buckes were Sin-offerings, and all those before them were Burnt-offerings. Maimony in Tamidin, chap. 9. sect. 7. Vers. 7. the tenth day] which was the day of Atonements, Lev. 23. 27. called the Fast, Act. 27. 9. The manner of Atonement, and the service on that day, is described at large in Levit. 16. afflict your soules] with fasting and abstinence: see the Annotations on Lev. 16. 29. Vers. 11. beside the Sin-offering of Atonements] that Goat-bucke, whose bloud was carried into the Holy place, & the body burned without the camp, Lev. 16. 9. 29. besides it, this sacrifice here cōmanded was to be offered, and besides the daily Burntoffering. On Atonement day, they offer an addition according to the addition of the beginning of the yeare [which was the first day of the seventh month, fore-mentioned in vers. 1, 2.] a bullock & a ram, and this ram is called the peoples ram; and seven lambes, all of them for Burnt-offerings, and a goat-buck for a Sinoffering, & that was eaten at evening. Moreover the congregation offered a goat-bucke for a Sin-offering which was burnt, the fellow wherof was sent away for a Scape-goat, (Lev. 16. 9, 10.) Maim. in Tamidin, c. 10. s. 1, 2. This Atonement was a lively figure of our reconciliation unto God, by the death of Christ, (as is shewed on Levit. 16.) the afflicting of their soules figured repentance and humiliation for sins, with our fellowship in the afflictions of Christ, Rom. 6. 3, 4, 6. 1 Pet. 2. 21. The sacrifices added here, signified the faith that Gods people should have in Christ sacrificed, and thankfulnesse unto God therefore, 1 Ioh. 2. 1, 2. Hebr. 10. 10. 19. 22. &c. Rom. 12. 1, 2. Vers. 12. the fifteenth day] when the feast of Booths, or of Tabernacles did begin, which lasted sevē daies, Lev. 23. 34, 35, 36, &c. the signification of which feast is shewed in the Annotations on that place. Vers. 13. thirteene bullockes] Whereas at the other feasts forementioned, they offered but two bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs in a day; at this, they were to offer thirteene bullocks, two rams, and fourteene lambs; both because the solemnity was greater, and at this time they had gathered in their corne and wine, and had seene the blessing of God in all their increase, and in all the workes of their hands, Deut. 16. 13, 15. therefore the Lord required moe sacrifices in signe of thankfulnesse. But Ezekiel prophesying of the daies of Christ (under whom we keepe this feast in spirit and truth, Zach. 14. 16.—19.) appointeth like sacrifices as were to be offered at the Passeover; as that the Prince should prepare seven bullocks and seven rammes daily for a Burnt-offering, &c. Ezek. 45. 23, 25. Vers. 17. twelve bullocks] in every of the seven daies of this feast, one bullocke is abated, as on the second day twelve, on the third day eleven, vers. 20. on the fourth day ten, vers. 23. and so forward, till on the seventh day they were to offer seven bullocks, vers. 32. (all which, in seven dayes amounted to seventie bullockes) but the rammes and lambes were every day alike. By this diminishing of one bullocke every day, the Holy Ghost might teach their duty to grow in grace, and increase in sanctification: that their sinnes decreasing, the number of their sacrifices (whereby Atonement was made for their sinnes) should also decrease daily. Or it might signifie a diminishing and wearing away of the legal offerings, to lead them unto the spirituall and reasonable service, by presenting their owne bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, Rom. 12. 1. Vers. 18. and for the lambes] the Hebrewes say that the Meat and Drink-offerings of these severall sacrifices were never to be mixed together, but the Meat and Drinke-offerings of the bullockes were by themselves, and the Meat and Drink-offerings of the rams by themselves, and of the lambes by themselves; whether they were the oblations of the congregation, or the oblations of a particular person. Maimony in Tamidin, chap. 10. sect. 15. Vers. 35. In the eighth day] Chazkuni here observeth, that it is not said (as was of the former daies) And in the eighth day; to teach that it was a good day (or feast) by it selfe. a solemne assembly] or, generall assembly: See the notes on Lev. 23. 36. Vers. 36. one bullocke] though this was the last, and the great day of the feast, Ioh. 7. 37. yet were the sacrifices fewer than on any other day; as if God would call them from the multitude of outward oblations to his spiritual worship, as is noted on vers. 17. And our Saviour on that day called the people from their many carnall observations (some whereof are noted on Levit. 23. 40.) unto himselfe to drinke the waters of his Spirit, Ioh. 7. 38, 39. Vers. 39. beside your vowes, &c.] of the difference betweene Vowes and Voluntary offerings, see the Annotations on Lev. 7. 16. The sacrifices fore-mentioned the congregation of Israel was bound to offer, every thing in his day: but all men as they had either vowed, or voluntarily would, brought their sacrifices at the feasts, (especially Peace-offerings, which the owners did eat before the Lord,) that according to the blessing of God upon them, they, their children and their servants, the Levites, the stranger, the fatherlesse and the widow with them, might eat and drinke, and rejoyce before the Lord, Deut. 16. 10, 11. 14, 15. The truth and complement of all which solemnities are now fulfilled unto us by Christ, who by once offering of him-selfe, hath reconciled us unto God, and wrought our eternall redemption, and hath given us of his Spirit, whereby we know that he abideth in us, and hath placed in us the kingdome of God, which consisteth in righteousnesse and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost: That by him we should offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, confessing to his Name, and should not forget to doe good, and to communicate, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, Coloss. 2. 16, 17. Heb. 9. 12. 26. 28. 1 Ioh. 3. 24. Rom. 14. 17. Heb. 13. 15, 16.