ScriptureDepth's study of Numbers 28
“You shall tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to Yahweh: male lambs a year old without defect, two day by day, for a continual burnt offering.”
Numbers 28:3
Yahweh commands Moses to tell the children of Israel about the daily burnt offerings, specifying 'male lambs a year old without defect', which is essential for their worship practices.
What Numbers 28 is about
Yahweh spoke to Moses about offerings. He commanded the Israelites to present offerings made by fire at the right times (vv. 1-2). Daily, they were to offer two male lambs, one in the morning and one in the evening, along with a meal offering and a drink offering (vv. 3-8). On the Sabbath, they should offer two male lambs, a meal offering, and a drink offering, in addition to the daily offerings (vv. 9-10). For each month, they are to present two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs, along with their respective meal and drink offerings (vv. 11-15). The Passover is to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month. They will eat unleavened bread for seven days and offer specific sacrifices (vv. 16-25). They should also offer sacrifices during the Feast of Weeks, including a new meal offering (vv. 26-31).
The command is to ensure offerings are without defect and made regularly at their appointed times.
Numbers 28 at a glance
- Numbers 28:1–2God's Command to Offerings
- Numbers 28:3–8Daily Burnt Offerings
- Numbers 28:9–10Sabbath Offerings
- Numbers 28:11–15Monthly Offerings
- Numbers 28:16–25Passover and Feast Instructions
- Numbers 28:26–31Feast of Weeks and First Fruits
Key verse: Numbers 28:3
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Numbers 28 (WEB)
God's Command to Offerings Numbers 28:1–2
1Verse 1. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2Verse 2. “Command the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘See that you present my offering, my food for my offerings made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to me, in their due season.’
Daily Burnt Offerings Numbers 28:3–8
3Verse 3. You shall tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to Yahweh: male lambs a year old without defect, two day by day, for a continual burnt offering. 4Verse 4. You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and you shall offer the other lamb at evening; 5Verse 5. with one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil. 6Verse 6. It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in Mount Sinai for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 7Verse 7. Its drink offering shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb. You shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to Yahweh in the holy place.
8Verse 8. The other lamb you shall offer at evening. As the meal offering of the morning, and as its drink offering, you shall offer it, an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Sabbath Offerings Numbers 28:9–10
9Verse 9. “‘On the Sabbath day, you shall offer two male lambs a year old without defect, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, and its drink offering: 10Verse 10. this is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, besides the continual burnt offering, and its drink offering.
Monthly Offerings Numbers 28:11–15
11Verse 11. “‘In the beginnings of your months, you shall offer a burnt offering to Yahweh: two young bulls, and one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect; 12Verse 12. and three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for each bull; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, for the one ram; 13Verse 13. and one tenth part of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering to every lamb; for a burnt offering of a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 14Verse 14. Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb. This is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
15Verse 15. One male goat for a sin offering to Yahweh; it shall be offered besides the continual burnt offering, and its drink offering.
Passover and Feast Instructions Numbers 28:16–25
16Verse 16. “‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Yahweh’s Passover. 17Verse 17. On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast. Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days. 18Verse 18. In the first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work; 19Verse 19. but you shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt offering to Yahweh: two young bulls, and one ram, and seven male lambs a year old; they shall be to you without defect; 20Verse 20. and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil. You shall offer three tenths for a bull, and two tenths for the ram.
21Verse 21. You shall offer one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 22Verse 22. and one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you. 23Verse 23. You shall offer these besides the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. 24Verse 24. In this way you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh. It shall be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering, and its drink offering. 25Verse 25. On the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.
Feast of Weeks and First Fruits Numbers 28:26–31
26Verse 26. “‘Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to Yahweh in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work; 27Verse 27. but you shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old; 28Verse 28. and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths for each bull, two tenths for the one ram, 29Verse 29. one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 30Verse 30. one male goat, to make atonement for you. 31Verse 31. Besides the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, you shall offer them and their drink offerings. See that they are without defect.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Numbers 28
Worship
In vv. 1-2, Yahweh commands the children of Israel to present offerings that are 'food for my offerings made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to me.' The specified offerings include daily burnt offerings of male lambs, with details on preparation and timing. These instructions establish a rhythm of worship centered on regular sacrifices, ensuring that the Israelites maintain a consistent practice of honoring Yahweh.
Covenant Relationship
Numbers 28 outlines the offerings that Israel is to present to Yahweh, demonstrating their devotion and obedience. In verse 16, the reference to 'Yahweh’s Passover' connects to the covenant established during the Exodus, marking a significant moment in Israel's history. The prescribed offerings act as tangible expressions of faithfulness, reinforcing Israel's commitment to Yahweh's covenant through rituals that observe sacred times and seasons.
Structured Rituals
Numbers 28 outlines a series of structured rituals for various occasions, specifying the types of offerings and their timing. In v. 9, the requirements for Sabbath offerings are detailed, including 'two male lambs a year old without defect.' This structured approach to worship ensures that the Israelites have clear guidelines for their religious observance, maintaining order in their practices and enhancing the communal aspect of worship.
Community and Identity
The detailed offerings for festivals such as Passover and the Feast of Weeks in vv. 16-31 serve to shape community identity among the people of Israel. By participating in these communal rituals, the Israelites reinforce their distinct identity as God's chosen people. The regularity of these offerings fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose, as they gather to fulfill their obligations to Yahweh together.
Chapter outline
How Numbers 28 unfolds
Numbers 28:1–2 God's Command to Offerings
Yahweh instructs Moses to command the children of Israel regarding offerings, specifying that these should be presented 'in their due season' (v. 2). This sets the framework for the offerings that follow.
Numbers 28:3–8 Daily Burnt Offerings
Daily burnt offerings consist of two male lambs offered morning and evening, accompanied by meal and drink offerings (vv. 3-8). The offerings must be without defect and are meant to create a 'pleasant aroma' to Yahweh.
Numbers 28:9–10 Sabbath Offerings
On the Sabbath day, two male lambs, fine flour, and drink offerings are to be offered, as stated in 'this is the burnt offering of every Sabbath,' in addition to the continual burnt offerings (vv. 9-10).
Numbers 28:11–15 Monthly Offerings
At the beginning of each month, offerings include two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs, and a male goat for atonement, along with specific meal and drink offerings for each (vv. 11-15).
Numbers 28:16–25 Passover and Feast Instructions
During Passover, offerings such as two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs are commanded, with a holy convocation on the first and seventh days, requiring no regular work (vv. 16-25).
Numbers 28:26–31 Feast of Weeks and First Fruits
The Feast of Weeks includes additional burnt offerings and a holy convocation, with specific requirements for the offerings (vv. 26-31). Each offering is to be presented alongside continual burnt offerings, ensuring they are without defect.
Key verses
Numbers 28:3Yahweh commands Moses to tell the children of Israel about the daily burnt offerings, specifying 'male lambs a year old without defect', which is essential for their worship practices.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Numbers 28
- observeIn v3, what kind of lambs are specified for the burnt offering?
- observeWhat is the quantity of fine flour mentioned in v5 for the meal offering?
- interpretIn v16, what does the timing of the Passover imply for the Israelites?
- interpretIn vv. 9-10, why is a different offering commanded for the Sabbath compared to the daily offerings?
- applyWhen have you set aside special time for God, as noted in the 'Sabbath day' of v9?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Numbers 28
- Leviticus 23Numbers 28:16 and Leviticus 23:5Both celebrate Passover: Numbers 28:16 states Yahweh's Passover is on the fourteenth day, while Leviticus 23:5 confirms that evening is Yahweh's Passover.
- Numbers 29Numbers 28:7 and Numbers 29:18Both detail drink offerings: Numbers 28:7 specifies a drink offering for one lamb, while Numbers 29:18 includes drink offerings for many animals.
- Numbers 15Numbers 28:7 and Numbers 15:5Both offer drink offerings: Numbers 28:7 specifies a fourth part of a hin for one lamb, while Numbers 15:5 mentions the same measure for each lamb.
- Exodus 12Numbers 28:16 and Exodus 12:6Both refer to Passover: Numbers 28:16 states it occurs on the fourteenth day, while Exodus 12:6 instructs to kill it that evening.
- Ezekiel 46Numbers 28:10 and Ezekiel 46:4Both describe Sabbath offerings: Numbers 28:10 mentions the burnt offering of every Sabbath, while Ezekiel 46:4 specifies lambs without defect.
- Exodus 29Numbers 28:3 and Exodus 29:38Both refer to daily offerings: Numbers 28:3 states two lambs daily, while Exodus 29:38 reiterates offering two lambs continually.
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