Numbers 29:6
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Numbers 29:6
6 Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.
Chapter Context
Numbers 29 is a mixed narrative and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of holiness, mercy, fellowship. Written during Israel's wilderness period (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The wilderness journey occurred between Egypt's dominance and the Canaanite tribal systems.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-40: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Numbers and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Numbers 29:6
6 Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.
Analysis
Beside the burnt offering of the month (מִלְּבַד עֹלַת הַחֹדֶשׁ, milevad olat hachodesh)—the Feast of Trumpets fell on the first day of the seventh month, thus requiring both the regular new moon offerings (Numbers 28:11-15) and the special Trumpets offerings (Numbers 29:1-5). Additionally, the daily burnt offering (עֹלַת הַתָּמִיד, olat hatamid) continued twice daily. This layering created the year's most offering-intensive day outside Yom Kippur and Tabernacles.
According unto their manner (כְּמִשְׁפָּטָם, kemishpatam)—according to their prescribed ordinance. Mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment, justice, or legal requirement, emphasizing that worship followed divine statute, not human invention. For a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD—the concluding formula reiterates worship's purpose: pleasing God through obedience. This phrase, repeated throughout Leviticus-Numbers, finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ who loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour (Ephesians 5:2).
Historical Context
The cumulative nature of offerings (daily + monthly + festival) made Israel's worship life richly complex and economically significant. The Temple and priesthood required substantial resources, supported by tithes, offerings, and Temple tax. This system ensured that worship was central to national life, not peripheral. When Malachi condemned Israel for robbing God in tithes (Malachi 3:8-10), he addressed neglect of this entire worship economy.
Reflection
- How does the layering of daily, monthly, and festival offerings shape a rhythm of worship that is both regular and special?
- What does it mean that worship follows divine ordinance rather than personal preference or cultural fashion?
- How does Ephesians 5:2's use of sweetsmelling savour connect Christ's sacrifice to all these Old Testament offerings?
Word Studies
- Judgment: מִשְׁפָּט (Mishpat) H4941 - Judgment, justice