Bible Commentary

Numbers 28:9-15

Matthew Henry on Numbers 28:9-15

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry · Public domain; electronic edition by Christian Classics Ethereal Library

The new moons and the sabbaths are often spoken of together, as great solemnities in the Jewish church, very comfortable to the saints then, and typical of gospel grace. Now we have here the sacrifices appointed, 1.

For the sabbaths. Every sabbath day the offering must be doubled; besides the two lambs offered for the daily burnt-offering, there must be two more offered, one (it is probable) added to the morning sacrifice, and the other to the evening, .

This teaches us to double our devotions on sabbath days, for so the duty of the day requires. The sabbath rest is to be observed, in order to a more close application to the sabbath work, which ought to fill up sabbath time.

In Ezekiel's temple-service, which points at gospel times, the sabbath offerings were to be six lambs and a ram, with their meat-offerings, and drink-offerings (), to intimate not only the continuance, but the advancement, of sabbath sanctification in the days of the Messiah.

This is the burnt-offering of the sabbath in his sabbath, so it is in the original, . We must do every sabbath day's work in its day, studying to redeem every minute of sabbath time as those that believe it precious; and not thinking to put off one sabbath's work to another, for sufficient to every sabbath is the service thereof.

2. For the new moons. Some suggest that, as the sabbath was kept with an eye to the creation of the world, so the new moons were sanctified with an eye to the divine providence, which appoints the moon for seasons, guiding the revolutions of time by its changes, and governing sublunary bodies (as many think) by its influences.

Though we observe not any feast of new moons, yet we must not forget to give God the glory of all the precious things put forth by the moon which he has established for ever, a faithful witness in heaven, .

The offerings in the new moons were very considerable, two bullocks, a ram, and seven lambs, with the meat-offerings and drink-offerings that were to attend them (, &c.), besides a sin-offering, .

For, when we give glory to God by confessing his mercies, we must give glory to him likewise by confessing our own sins; and, when we rejoice in the gifts of common providence, we must make the sacrifice of Christ, that great gift of special grace, the fountain and spring-head of our joy.

Some have questioned whether the new moons were to be reckoned among their feasts; but why should they not, when, besides the special sacrifices which were then to be offered, they rested from servile works (), blew the trumpets (), and went to the prophets to hear the word?

. And the worship performed in the new moons is made typical of gospel solemnities, .

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 28:1-40EXPOSITION THE ROUTINE OF SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGS (Numbers 28:1-31, Numbers 29:1-40).Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Numbers 28:9-15Every sabbath day, beside the two lambs offered for the daily burnt-offering, there must be two more offered. This teaches us to double our devotions on sabbath days, for so the duty of the day requires. The sabbath res…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 28:9And on the sabbath day. The special offering for the sabbath is ordered here for the first time. It does not say when the two lambs were to be slain, but in practice it was immediately after the morning sacrifice of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 28:10The burnt offering of every sabbath. Literally, "the sabbath burnt offering for its sabbath."Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 28:11In the beginnings of your months. The new-moon offering also is here enjoined for the first time, the festival itself having only been incidentally mentioned in Numbers 10:10. There can be no doubt that this (unlike the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 28:15One kid of the goats. "One hairy one ( שָׂעִיר) of the she goats ( עֵן)." See on Numbers 7:16. This was probably offered first in order, according to the usual analogy of such sacrifices (Exodus 29:10-14). There is no a…Joseph S. Exell and contributors