Numbers 28:14
And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.
Original Language Analysis
וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֗ם
And their drink offerings
H5262
וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֗ם
And their drink offerings
Strong's:
H5262
Word #:
1 of 18
a libation; also a cast idol
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לַפָּ֜ר
unto a bullock
H6499
לַפָּ֜ר
unto a bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
5 of 18
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
וּשְׁלִישִׁ֧ת
and the third
H7992
וּשְׁלִישִׁ֧ת
and the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
6 of 18
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
לָאַ֗יִל
unto a ram
H352
לָאַ֗יִל
unto a ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
עֹלַ֥ת
this is the burnt offering
H5930
עֹלַ֥ת
this is the burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
14 of 18
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
Historical Context
Monthly new moon offerings continued throughout Israel's history (1 Samuel 20:5; 2 Kings 4:23; Isaiah 1:13-14; Ezekiel 46:6). By the intertestamental period, Rosh Chodesh became a semi-festival. These monthly markers prefigured the Christian practice of regular Lord's Supper observance, maintaining consistent rhythms of remembrance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the proportional nature of offerings challenge both legalism (rigid uniformity) and cheap grace (minimal sacrifice)?
- What regular rhythms of worship keep faith from becoming merely occasional or crisis-driven?
- How does the use of wine in Old Testament worship inform Christian understanding of the Lord's Supper?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Half an hin of wine (חֲצִי הַהִין יַיִן, chatzi hahin yayin)—a hin was approximately 1 gallon, so half a hin equals 2 quarts. The drink offerings (נֶסֶךְ, nesek) accompanied grain and burnt offerings, symbolizing joy and celebration (Psalm 104:15). Wine, a luxury in an agrarian economy, showed that God deserved the best, not leftovers.
The proportional system—½ hin per bullock, ⅓ hin per ram, ¼ hin per lamb—balanced equity with ability. God's worship system was neither egalitarian (everyone gave the same) nor arbitrary, but proportional to blessing received. Every month throughout the months of the year—this monthly rhythm prevented worship from becoming merely annual routine, establishing regular consecration of time to Yahweh.