Numbers 28:11
And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;
Original Language Analysis
וּבְרָאשֵׁי֙
And in the beginnings
H7218
וּבְרָאשֵׁי֙
And in the beginnings
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
1 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ
ye shall offer
H7126
תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ
ye shall offer
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
3 of 16
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
עֹלָ֖ה
a burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָ֖ה
a burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
4 of 16
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
פָּרִ֨ים
bullocks
H6499
פָּרִ֨ים
bullocks
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
6 of 16
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָקָ֤ר
young
H1241
בָקָ֤ר
young
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
8 of 16
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וְאַ֣יִל
ram
H352
וְאַ֣יִל
ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
אֶחָ֔ד
and one
H259
אֶחָ֔ד
and one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Numbers 10:10Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.Ezekiel 46:6And in the day of the new moon it shall be a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish.Colossians 2:16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:1 Chronicles 23:31And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:Hosea 2:11I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.2 Chronicles 2:4Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.1 Samuel 20:5And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.Ezra 3:5And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.
Historical Context
New moon festivals were significant in ancient Israel (1 Sam 20:5, Isa 1:13-14, Col 2:16). They marked time for agricultural planning, debt settlements, and covenant renewal. These monthly offerings occurred at the tabernacle (later temple), requiring representatives from across Israel, fostering national unity and shared worship rhythm. The practice continued until the temple's destruction in 70 AD.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you mark the beginning of new seasons in your life as opportunities for renewed consecration to God?
- What would it look like to sanctify your calendar - bringing your use of time under God's lordship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The monthly new moon offering marked the beginning of each lunar month, sanctifying time itself to God. Israel's calendar was lunar, making these offerings twelve times yearly (or thirteen in leap years). The substantial offerings - two bulls, one ram, seven lambs - exceeded daily sacrifices, showing each new month as a fresh consecration of time to God. This points to Christ who makes all things new (Rev 21:5) and sanctifies every season of life. Early Christians kept the principle of regular, periodic renewal through the Lord's Supper (1 Cor 11:25-26).