The Pulpit Commentary · Numbers Chapter 29

Chapter 29:1. - In the seventh month, on the first day of the month. The month Ethanim had been already specially set apart for holy purposes beyond all other months (Leviticus 23:23 sq.).

Verse 2. - Ye shall offer a burnt offering. Such an offering had been commanded (Leviticus 23:25), but not specified. It comprised one bullock less than the new moon offering, but the reason of the difference is wholly unknown, unless it were in view of the large number of bullocks required at the feast of tabernacles.

Verse 7. - On the tenth day. The great day of atonement (Leviticus 16:29; Leviticus 23:27 sq.).

Verse 12. - On the fifteenth day. The first day of the feast of tabernacles, which commenced at sunset on the fourteenth (Leviticus 23:35).

Verse 13. - Ye shall offer a burnt offering. This also was ordered, but not prescribed, in Leviticus 23. As it was the feast of the ingathering, when God had crowned the year with his goodness, and filled the hearts of men with food and gladness, so it was celebrated with the greatest profusion of burnt offerings, especially of the largest and costliest kind. Thirteen young bullocks. The number of bullocks was so arranged as to be one less each day, to be seven on the seventh and last day, and to make up seventy altogether. Thus the sacred number was studiously emphasized, and the slow fading of festal joy into the ordinary gladness of a grateful life was set forth. It seems quite fanciful to trace any connection with the waning of the moon. The observance of the heavenly bodies, although sanctioned in the case of the new moon feast, was not further encouraged for obvious reasons.

Verse 35. - On the eighth day. On the twenty-second day of Ethanim (see on Leviticus 23:36). The offering here specified returns to the smaller number ordered for the first /rod tenth days of this month. The feast of tabernacles ended with sundown on this day.

Verse 39. - These things shall ye do, or "sacrifice." תַּעֲשׂוּ. Septuagint, ταῦτα ποιήσετε (cf. Luke 22:19). Beside your vows, and your free-will offerings. These are treated of in Leviticus 22:18 sq.; chapter Numbers 15:3 sq. The words which follow are dependent upon this clause. All the offerings commanded in these chapters amounted to 1071 lambs, 113 bullocks, 37 rams, 30 goats, in the lunar year, together with 112 bushels of flour, more than 370 gallons of oil, and about 340 gallons of wine, supposing that the drink offering was proportionate throughout.