Numbers 28

had he such frequent revelations from God as Moses had. Yet sometimes God vouchsafed him the honour to speak to him, as we find in the beginning of Joshua, chap. iii. 7. iv.l. 15, &c. And there was a most illustrious appearance of God to him before Jericho, (chap, v.* 13, &c.) represent all the rest. For they thought it very indecent to liavo a sacrifice made for a man, and he not to stand by it; and therefore the first prophets ordained twenty-four courses of men, chosen out of the priests, Lcvites, and people, to stand in the temple, when the daily sacrifice was offered in * the name of all Israel; and pray that God would accept it for them, as if they were all present. This account the Mischna gives of them in Taanath, and other places; where they say these men were held so necessary, that it was an usual speech among them, Without stations the world’could not stand. For without sacrifices, that is, the worship of God, the world would be undone; and sacrifices could notbe maintained without stations: (see Voysin dc Jubilaeo, cap. 25. and our learned Dr. Lightfoot in his Temple Service, chap. 7. sect. 3.) Vcr. 3. And thou shalt say unto them, Tltisis the offering made by fire, which ye shall offer unto the Lord.] That offering which he peculiarly speaks of is the daily sacrifice; which was appointed long ago, before the tabernacle was set up, (Exod. xxix. 38, 3f). sec my notes there.) And add this, that God’s promise to meet them there, (vcr. 42, 43.) and afterward to dwell among them, (ver. 45.) seems to depend upon this constant service which he expected should be paid to him; which, if neglected, he withdrew himself from them. Two Iambs of the first year, day by day, continually J] This is expressly required in Exod. xxix. 38. Only here it is added, ivithout spot, or perfect in its kind; which was required in all sacrifices, particularly in the first lamb wliich Ihcy offered, w r hcn they came out of Egypt, (Exod. xii. 5. sec there.) ■’ • song of Moses, (Deut. xxxii.) dividing it into six parts, and singing one part every sabbath; so that in six weeks they had finished it, and then began again. And at the evening sacrifice they sang that song of his Exod. xv. at which time the priests sounded the trumpets three times more than they did at the ordinary songs. And two tenth-deals of flour for a meat-offering, mingled with oil, and the drink-offering thereof] As the burnt-offer-, ings were double on this day, so a double quantity of flour is ordered for the meat-offering that attended the burntoffering (for only a tenth part of an ephah, ver. 5. was offered on other days), and consequently there was to be as much more oil and wine than daily. And here it may be fit to note, that, as soon as the drink-offering.was poured out, then thesong beforcmentioned began, with the trumpets and other instruments.of.music; but not till then: for the burnt-offering was not perfect, till the drink-offering, which was to accompany it, was offered; whereby it.was completed. (See Dr. Lightfoot in his Temple Service, chap. 7. sect. 2.) of the difference between sin-offerings and burnt-offerings, the latter of which being wholly burnt, might be properly said to be unto the Lord, whereas sin-offerings were commonly eaten by the priests; he adds, that " this sin-offering is peculiarly said to be unto the Lord, lest any one should think this goat to be a sacrifice to the moon, after the manner of the Egyptians: which was not necessary to be said of tho goats offered at other solemn times, because they were not in the beginning of tho month, nor distinguished from other days by any natural sign, but only by the appointment of the law; which uses these words conr ccrningthis goat peculiarly, to pluck out of men’s thoughts those inveterate and pernicious opinions of the gentiles; who had long sacrificed to the moon at this time, as they did to the sun at his rising, and when he entered into the several signs."’. Besides the continual burnt-offering, and his drink-offer* ing.] This is so often particularly mentioned, lest any should imagine it, might be spared, when there were such liberal offerings of several kinds.

Numbers 28:1

JLnD the Lord spake unto Moses, saying. Having numbered the people, and appointed his successor to bring them to their inheritance (which he had ordered to be divided among themy proportionable to the number of each tribe), nothing more was necessary than to persuade them to be truly religious, whereby they might be preserved in the enjoyment of it. Unto which Moses is commanded to direct them in this and in the following chapters; which may be thought to have been delivered also in the eighth month of; the last year of. their travels in the wilderness. •

Numbers 28:2

Command the children of Israel, and say unto them. These commands had been; given before, but are here repeated, because this was a new generation, who either had. not heard them when they were first delivered eigh>and-thirty years ago; or, at least, had need to have their memories refreshed. Some things also are now more particularly explained.concerning the sacrifices which wera to be offered at certain times: and they are reduced into a certain order; some being, daily, others weekly, others monthly, and some, anniversary; all which.were of such importance, that Moses, being shortly to leave them, thought good to repeat most of.them once more in the.book of Deuteronomy. My offering, and my bread.] The word and is. not in the^ Hebrew;: but the words are, my offering, my bread: which Isaac Abarbinel. thus excellently explains; Concerning offerings for sin, and trespass-oiferings, and the rest, I shall not need to admonish you: but concerning my daily sacrifices, which properly of.themselves $xe my oivn oblation^ my t daily bread, orjny fopd,. (which the Divine presence, dwelling among them, required, Exod. xxix. 42. 44. 45.) And.so ptfiers by the word bread. understand meat or food in general, as wc translate it, ver. 24. though it may have a particular, respect to the meatroffering, which was mado of meal, andal ways accompanied the burnt-offerings, which seem here to be peculiarly meant; though some think these words relate to all the sacrifices, some part of which was God’s portion. For my sacrifices made by fire.] The, whole burnt-offerings are most properly called ische (sacrifices made by fire), being all consumed, upon the altar; where the heavenly fire. burnt continually, rcady.for that purpose. For^a sweet, savour unto me.] So the burnt-offering is called, Lev. i. 9. 13. 17. (See there.) I* shall only add the paraphrase of the Jerusalem Targum, which is this, " My offering of bread which ye offer on the altar, doth not the fire devour it? And yet it is acceptable to me from you, as an odourin which I am well-pleased." Shall ye observe to offer unto me.] Be very careful to?ee it duly performed: this being the food (saithAbarbinel)^ which,, to speak after the manner of men, was offered by God’s fire, upon his own altar, for his dinner and supper.; In due season.]. Fox that reason this sacrifice was to be constantly offered, saith the same author, that the Divine fire which came>down from heaven to consume the sacrifices might not be disappointed,, and burn there in vain without any thing to do. From this place the Jews endeavour to make out their custom of having stationary men, as they dill them, to attend the daily sacrifice: taking moatho [in its seasmi] as if it had been oniatho [hi, its stations], but chiefly relying upon the first words of this verse, command the children of Israel, who could not all be present at the daily sacrifice, and therefore some particular persons were chosen to

Numbers 28:4

The one lamb^halt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even. The very words in Exod. xxix. 39.

Numbers 28:5

A tenth, part of an ephah of flour for a meatoffering, mingled with the fourth part of a km of beaten oil. This is also there explained, Exod. xxix. 40. Ver. G. It is a continual burnt-offering.] To be continued throughout all your generations every day; as it is expressed Exod. xxix. 42. For it was in the nature of a daily prayer to God, that he would graciously continue his mercy unto Israel (as Abarbinel observes), and increase their corn, wine, and oil, which they acknowledged hereby they received from him. >. < Which was ordained in Mount Sinai.] There Moses received both this law, and all the rest (which arc mentioned in the book of Exodus)^ concerning the service of God, and the place w T hcrc it was to be performed, and his ministers, &c. And this sufficiently shews, that he speaks here to those w r ho were so young at the first institution of these laws, that they gave the less heed to them, or had forgotten them. And there arc those who think that for cight-and-thirty years they had disused them; which they gather from Deut. xii. 8. But I do not take it to bo likely, that sacrifices were wholly omitted during that space; though perhaps not so regularly performed as when they came to Carfaan. For to suppose that, is to suppose that the fire from heaven cither went out, or burnt continually to no purpose; and that the Divine Majesty had no entertainment set upon his table; and consequently did not keep house, and dwell among them all that time: in short, that there was no worship of God at the tabernacle. All these arguments may convince any man, there were offered at least the daily sacrifice, morning and even, and those on the sabbath. For a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the Lord.] Sec Exod. xxix. 41. Vcr. 7. And the drink-offering thereof shall be the fourth part of a hiu for the one lamb.) So it was ordained also’ in Mount Sinai, as appears from the same Exod. xxix. 40. And in this very book there is a general rule given to this new generation, that this should be the least quantity of’ wine which should be offered with a burnt-offering, or pcacc-offcring. (See Numb. xv. 5.) Which was a thing so constantly practised, that the heathen never sacrificed, but they poured wine upon the flesh, as it flamed upon’ the altar. For though water was sometimes poured upon the sacrifices, yet Nonnus saith (lib. iv, Dionysiac.) it was when men knew not the use of wine; for after that was found out, they never sacrificed without it. (See Fort. Scacchus Myrotbec. 2. cap. 42.) f In the holy place.] Upon the altar of burnt-offerings,’ which stood in the holy place, near to the door of the tabernacle, (Exod. xxix. 42.) Shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured out unto the Lord for a drink-offering.] The Hebrew word schecar commonly signifies any sort of strong drink, but here the noblest and most generous wine; for it was not lawful to use any other liquor in their sacrifices. The heathens had this reverence to their gods, that they always offered. to them the most excellent wine they had; which appears by those words we meet withal so often in Homer (both in his Iliads and Odysses) of men’s pouring out upon their sacrifices, — \ — alSo-ira olvov, or black wine, of the deepest colour, red as blood; which was the richest of -all other. And Hcrodian, speaking of the vast profuscness of Heliogabalus, who offered hecatombs of oxen every morning, with great multitudes of sheep, upon which he heaped all manner of spices, adds this also, (lib. v.) o*vou rt tov TraXaiorarov kcl\ KaXXtcrrov TroXXovg afMpopiag ttqo^Iwv, &C. pouring out many flagons of the oldest and most excellent wine on the altars; so that rivers of wine and blood ran mixed together.

Numbers 28:8

And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even, &c. All the foregoing verses relate to the morning sacrifice; and this only briefly prescribes, that the other lamb should be offered in the same manner at even, with the very same meat-offering and drink-offering. And as no sacrifice was to precede the morning burnt-offering, but it was to be offered first: so this at even was to conclude all the sacrifices of the day, and none to be offered after it. A sacrifice made by fire, a sivect savour unto the Lord.] As acceptable to him as the morning sacrifice.

Numbers 28:9

And on the sabbath-day two lambs of the first year without spot. He doth not mean, that, whereas every morning and evening they offered one lamb, on’the sabbath-day they should offer two; but that there should be two lambs oflcrcd on the sabbath, over and above the daily offering, as appears from vcr. 10. Whether one of them were to be offered in the morning, and the other added at the evening sacrifice, it is not said; but it is most probable the sacrifices on the sabbath were so ordered.* For the Jews say, that, at the time of this additional sacrifice in the morning of the sabbath, they sang at the temple the

Numbers 28:10

This is the burnt-offering, of every sabbath, besides the continual burnt-offering, and his drink-offering. The daily sacrifice was not to be omitted on the sabbath, but this was to be added to it; and Whence, by the Jews, called musaph. Of which sort there were seven more, which were to be added to the sacrifice of the day; viz. that in the new moon, (ver. 11.) at the Passover, (ver. 19.) and the feast of Pentecost, (ver. 26.) in the beginning of the year, (chap. xxix. 1.) on the day of expiation, (ver. 7.) on the feast of tabernacles there were peculiar sacrifices for seven days together, (Lev. xxiii. 35.) and on the last day of the feast another, (Numb.. xxix. 35—37.) All these were called musaphim, or additional sacrifices to the daily sacrifice.'

Numbers 28:11

And in the beginnings of your montlts ye shall offer a burnt-offering unto the LordJ. This solemn sacrifice seems to have been ordained by God, to prevent the idolatry which was usual among the gentiles; who worshipped the new moon with great rejoicings when it first appeared. Otherwise, the first day of every month was no festival; but only a day on which extraordinary sacrifices were offered with blowing of trumpets, as seems to be directed chap. x. 10. (see there:) which was usual at all solemn sacrifices (as I noted before), otherways the feast of blowing with trumpets was only on the new moon of the seventh month, and no other. And therefore it is observable, that there is no mention made of the first day of the month among the festivals appointed in Lev. xxiii. and consequently servile work was lawful on this day; and nothing more required but only the following sacrifices. The. Jews at this day say,.this solemnity was appointed rather for the women than the men (for which they give a fabulous reason), who are bound to abstain from all works; but the men only from the most laborious, such as ploughing the ground, &c. (See Buxtorfs Synag. Judaica, cap. 22.) Two young bullocks and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot.] All these were burnt-offerings, which were offered besides the daily sacrifice, and besides the two lambs, if the first day of the month fell out to be a sabbath. In which case, and all others, where several solemnities met together on the same day, the daily sacrifice was offered first, and then the rest of the sacrifices peculiar VOL. J. for that day were to be performed, every one" in" its order..As for example, if the sabbath and new moon, and the feast of trumpets, fell out on the same day, they began with the daily morning sacrifice; after which followed the sacrifices proper to the sabbath; and after that* the sacrifice appointed on the new moon; and then, those that belonged to the feast of trumpets: and all was concluded with the evening sacrifice, as Abarbinel observes iri* his preface to the book of Leviticus.’ \

Numbers 28:12

And three tenth-deals of flour. That is, three tenth parts of an ephah, (ver; 5.)’. For a meat-offering, mingled.with oil, for one bullock.] Le. For each bullock there was to be this proportion of flour; which is exactly according to the general rule before given, (chap. xv. 9.) And two tenth-deals of flour, mingled with oil, for one ram.] This is the proportion there prescribed for a ram^ as the other for a bullock, (chap. xv. 6.) -

Numbers 28:13

And a several tenth-deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering, unto one lamb. Unto each of the seven lambs beforementioned, (ver. 11.) a meat-offering was to be joined in less proportion than the other, according to the rule there given, (chap. xv. 4.) For a burnt-offering of a sweet savour, &c] See ver. C.

Numbers 28:14

And their drink-offering shall be half a Inn of xvinennto a bullock. See chap. xv. 10. And the third part of a Inn for a ram.] See there, ver. 7. And afonrthpart of a hinfor a lamb*] See there, ver. 5. They that allegorize these things, think the new moon signifies the resurrection to a new life in the other world, where every one shall receive a reward according to his measure. Thus Procopius Gazeeus; in whom they that think such expositions useful may find entertainment. This is the burnt-offering of every month throughout the months of the year.] There are more sacrifices appointed on the new moons, than on the sabbath itself; because they returned seldomer. And the gentiles multiplying sacrifices on such occasions, if the Jews had not been thus employed in the worship of God, they might have been tempted to pay their services to idols.

Numbers 28:15

And one kid of the goats for a sin-offering. This sacrifice of a goat for a sin-offering, saith the same Procopius, is coupled with the rest, being a shadow of the passion of Christ, for whose sake all our sacrifices are acceptable unto God the Father.. Unto the Lord.] It is well observed by Grotius, that these words unto the Lord were added, to put them in mind at this time of the right object of worship; when they were in danger to offer sacrifice to the moon, after the manner of the heathens. This is the more to be regarded, because a goat being appointed to be offered at two other solemnities, and to be offered for a sin-offering, (ver. 22. 30.) it is not said, unto the Lord (though certainly so intended), because there was no danger at those times to direct their sacrifices to a wron£ object, as there was upon the new moons; when* the heathen offered a goat unto the moon, it being a creature whose horns are like to those of a new moon. R.Bechai long ago observes this: fe A goat (saith he) was offered to extirpate the religion of those who worshipped * the moon; which makes the Scripture say expressly, zinto the Lord." And Maimonides more largely in his More Nevochim, par. iii. caj>. 46, where, after ho had taken notice 4L

Numbers 28:16

And on the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the Lord. See Exod.:xii. 6. 18. Lev. xxiii. 5. where it is called the Lord’s Passover. (See Exod. xii. 27.)

Numbers 28:17

In the fifteenth day of this month is the feast. The fourteenth day at even the feast of the Passover was kept, as appears from Exod. xii. 14. But on the fifteenth day began another feast, called the feast of unleavened bread. (See Lev. xxiii. 6.). • Seven days sliall unleavened bread be eaten.] See Exod. xii. 15. xiii.6,7. Lev. xxiii. 6.

Numbers 28:18

On the first day shall be a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein. See Exod. xii. 16. Lev. xxiii. 7.

Numbers 28:19

But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire, for a burnt-offering unto the Lord. The solemnity was ordained before, and offerings also in general prescribed to be made seven days, (see Lev. xxiii. 8.) but the particular sacrifices not set down till now. Ttvo young bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year, they shall be unto you without spot.] The same sacrifices which were appointed to be offered upon every first day of the month, (ver. 11.)

Numbers 28:20

And their meat-offering shall be of flour, mingled with oil: three tent Jtrdeals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth-deals for a ram. The very same which were appointed on the first day of every month/(ver. 12.)

Numbers 28:21

A several tenth-deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs. Just as it was in the forcmentioned sacrifice, (ver. 13.) And though the drinkofferings be not mentioned, they must be understood to be the same; because they always accompanied the meatofferings of burnt-sacrifices, which were not complete without them..

Numbers 28:22

And Moses did as the Lord commanded Mm: and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar, arid before all Hie congregation. According as he was ordered, ver. 18, 19. Jn this we see the great integrity, the sincere humility, and self-denial of Moses, that he readily submitted to have the government of Israel translated from, his own family and trioe unto another, who was of the tribe, of Ephraim, whereby his own children were reduced to a mean condition, being not so much as priests, but mere Xevites. This demonstrates he actednot from himself, because he acted not for himself; but was contented to have the supreme authority placed where God pleased, both in church and state, and to leave his own family in a& inconsiderable employment. This shewahim to have had a principle which, raised him above all other lawgivers, who always took care to advance their own families, and establish them in some share of that greatness which they themselves possessed. This likewise demonstrates, that the future rulers of this. nation had no temptation, to ad-, vance.thc credit of Moses beyond what it really was, since they were not descended from him, but were of other tribes* And one goat for a sin-offering, to make atone* mentfor you.] As it was in the new moon, (ver. 15.)* But meat and drink-offerings did not accompany offerings for sin, save only in the case of ^i leper; who was to bring three offerings, a sin-oflering:, a trespass-offering, “and a burnt-offering for his cleansing, with three tenth parts of an ophali of flour, (Lcv.xiv. 10, &c.)

Numbers 28:23

And lie laid his hands upon him, and.gavehima cJutrge; as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses. Ho did. all things which the Lord required to create him hj$ successor, as the Jews speak: for thus (by laying on of hands) they ia aftertimes made a man a member of the Sanhedrin, both of the great and of the small; which continned to the time of the destruction Qf the second temple; as Mr. Selden shews, (lib. ii. de Synedr. cap. 7. n. 1.) And this solemn designation of Joshua to the government by the Divine authority, was a clear indication that God continued. to be their king, as he became, in a special manner whenliQ brought them out of Egypt, (as I observed upon Exod. iii. 10.). and he still reserved it to, himself to appoint governors under him out of what tribe he. pleased; as he did Joshua at this time out of the tribe of Ephraim; and not Caleb, who was of thc; tribe.of Judah, and also a man as valiant as ho was virtuous, (Josh. xiv. 11.) For there was no. tribe that could lay. claim unto this dignity without the, gift of God. And this is one of the principal reasons, why the government of this people, before they had kings, was,, as Joscphus calls it, GcoKpa^a (that is, the. empire of God), because he stirred them up judges to rule them when he pleased; which being of his immediate appointment, arc so far acknowledged by him, that when they were weary of Samuel’s government and desired a king, God.declared, that it was not Samuel, but himself, whom they rejected. And another reason was (as our Mr. Thorndikc observes),, because God, by his oracle oiurim and thnmmim t prescribed how they were to proceed in their public a(Ta; rs, (Review of the Rites of the Church, p. 133.) Ye sliall offer these besides the burnt-offering of the morning, wluch is the continual offering.] There arc two things that are here to be remarked; that these offerings (as I noted before) should not put by the continual burntsacrifice, but be added to it; and that all these were offered in the morning, after the daily morning sacrifice; and were not part of the evening sacrifice, which concluded all.

Numbers 28:24

After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days. Upon every one of the days of unleavened bread, (ver. 17.) which, though it was a great expense, yet was but a fitting acknowledgment of God’s wonderful goodness to them, in bringing them out of the land of Egypt, with all their flocks and their herds; which was the foundation of all their happiness afterward, by making them a free people. TJie meat of my sacrifice made by fire.] Here is tho very same word with that ver. 2. where he calls this sacrifice his lechem, which we there translate his bread, but here very properly, his meat or food:- which was set upon his table (the altar) every day, and by his fire from heaven consumed; w r hich, according to the language of men, was called his eating of it: as the heathen gods also arc said to eat the fat of their sacrifices, (Deut. xxxii.38.) Of a sweet savour unto the Lord.] Very acceptable to him; as hath been often observed. It shall be offered besides the continual burnt-offering, and his drink-offering.’] There is tha greatest care taken (by the frequent repetition of this) that they should not think to save their daily sacrifice by these others; which were to be added to it, and not to supply tho place of it. (See ver. 15.)

Numbers 28:25

And on the seventh day ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work therein. This last day of the feast was equal to the first, (Lev. xxiii. 7, 8.) and is called a feast unto the Lord, Exod. xiii. 6. Ver. 2C. Also the day of the first-fruits.] Called the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of their labours, Exod. xxiii. 1Q: and the feast of weeks, when they brought the first-fruits of wheat-harvest, (Exod. xxxiv. 22. Deut. xvi. 10.) The Jews intheir writings commonly call this feast by the name of atzereth, and so doth the Chaldce paraphrase upon this place; though Abarbinel observes, that this alone, of all the three great feasts, is never called so in the Holy Scripture. It is hardj therefore to tell, why the Jews call it so in a singular manner; but our learned Dr. Lightfoot hath made several probable conjectures about it; one of which (and most pertinent to this place) is, because there was a restraint, as the word signifies, upon the people, from bringing their first-fruits till this feast. If any did,.they received them not from them, but laid them by till this day came. (See Temple Service, chap. 14. sect. 4.) When ye bring a new meat-offering unto the Lord.] Mentioned Lev. xxiii. 1G. which were two loaves made of their first corn, ver. 17. where they are called the first-fmits unto the Lord. After your weeks be out.] That is, the seven weeks which they were to number from the morrow after the sabbath, (Lev. xxiii. 15.) t. e. after the first day of unleavened bread: when they offered another sort of first-fruits (which must be carefully distinguished from those hero mentioned), viz. of the barley-harvest, which began at the Passover; when they were to bring a sheaf of their first-fruits unto the priest, (Lcvit. xxiii. 10.) the presenting of which sheaf was an (® CHAP. XXVIII.] UPON NUMBERS. introduction to harvest, and procured them liberty to begin to put the sickle into the corn; which now, after seven weeks, they reaped, and carried in at this feast, when they brought these new first-fruits unto the Lord. All which is a description of that which in the New Testament is called the feast of Pentecost; being fifty days, as we read there in Leviticus, after the other great feast. Ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.] SceLev.xxiii.21.

Numbers 28:27

*But ye hall offer the burnt-offering for a sweet savour unto the Lord. Over and’ above the burnt-offering which was prescribed to be offered with the two loaves beibrementioned, (Lev. xxiii. 18.) unto which this was an additional sacrifice, plainly distinct from it. Two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year.] The very same that were ofderedto be offered upon every new moon, and every day of the feast of unleavened bread, ver. 11. 19, &c. whereas that in Leviticus is one young bullock, two rams, and seven lambs.

Numbers 28:28

And their meat-offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth-deals unto one bullock, &c. The very same that is prescribed to accompany the burnt-offering on the new moon, and in the feast of unleavened bread, (ver. 12. 20.)

Numbers 28:29

Anda several tenth-deal unto one lamb, throughcut the seven lambs. So it is ordained before in the former cases, (ver. 13. 21.)

Numbers 28:30

And one kid of the goats to make an atonement for you.* Besides the kid prescribed for the same purpose, when the two loaves were offered,’(Lev. xxiii. 19.) which was accompanied with two lambs for a sacrifice of peaceofferings. So that there were a great many sacrifices offered at this famous festival; though it did not last so long as that of the Passover.

Numbers 28:31

Ye shall offer them besides the continual burntoffering. He still takes caro that this daily sacrifice should not be omitted, by reason of such a number of other sacrifices, which were to attend upon it, but not* to put it by, (ver. 10’. 15. 23.) Tliey shall be unto you without blemish.] This might have been sufficiently understood, from what was said of the daily offering, (ver. 3.) and of all the other prescribed in this chapter, (ver. 11. 19.) But, lest any profane person might think there was no need to be so scrupulous about these sacrifices, because it is only said, two young bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs of tlie first year, (ver. 27.) these words are also here added, to take away, all doubt; they shall be unto you without blemish, i.e. as perfect as all the rest are ordered to be.. It is observable, that there isnot so much as one peace* offering ordered’in all this chapter, which was a sort of sacrifice that was most for the benefit of those that brought it to the altar; but all burnt-offerings (excep ta few sinofferings), which were wholly for the honour of God, and acknowledgment of his sovereign dominion over them, and of the duty they owed him. And as the sin-offerings were shadows of that great sacrifice of God’s own Son, which was one day to be offered for the sins of men, out of his infinite love to them; so the whole burnt-offerings (which were always of the most perfect creatures, the finest flour, the choicest fruits of the earth, and the best liquor) were shadows of that excellent degree of piety, which the Son of God intended to bring into the world; which would move men, out of love to God, to give themselves wholly up to him, and devote all they had, even their own lives, to his service.