Numbers Chapter 29 — Offerings for the Seventh Month
This chapter details the specific sacrifices and offerings required for the religious festivals held during the seventh month of the Israelite calendar.
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Notable Verses
Numbers 29:1
““ ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no regular work. It is a day of blowing of trumpets to you.”
This verse establishes the Feast of Trumpets as a sacred day of rest and communal assembly.
Numbers 29:7
““ ‘On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall afflict your souls. You shall do no kind of work;”
It describes the requirements for the Day of Atonement, emphasizing spiritual humility and total rest.
Numbers 29:39
““ ‘You shall offer these to the LORD in your set feasts—in addition to your vows and your free will offerings—for your burnt offerings, your meal offerings, your drink offerings, and your peace offerings.’ ””
This verse summarizes the purpose of these regulations as part of the scheduled national worship cycle.
Chapter Summary
Numbers 29 outlines the specific offerings required for several major religious observances in the seventh month. It begins with the first day, the Feast of Trumpets, which is marked by a holy convocation and specific burnt offerings. Next, it covers the tenth day, the Day of Atonement, where the people are commanded to afflict their souls and offer sacrifices for atonement. The largest portion of the chapter focuses on the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth), starting on the fifteenth day and lasting for eight days. For each day of this festival, the text specifies a decreasing number of bulls to be sacrificed alongside rams, lambs, and goats. These offerings are presented in addition to the regular daily sacrifices, vows, and freewill offerings. The chapter concludes by noting that Moses conveyed all these divine instructions to the children of Israel, ensuring the community understood the requirements for their set feasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
The chapter describes the Feast of Trumpets on the first day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement on the tenth day, and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) starting on the fifteenth day.
During the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, the number of bulls offered decreases by one each day, starting with thirteen on the first day and ending with seven on the seventh day.
This phrase refers to the practice of self-denial and fasting, which was a central requirement for the Day of Atonement as a sign of national repentance and humility.
Study Note
The seventh month (Tishrei) was the most sacred month of the Israelite calendar, containing three major observances within a three-week period.
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