Chapter 29

1 The offering at the feast of trumpets, 7 at the day of afflicting their souls, 13 and on the eight days of the feast of tabernacles.

1. An holy convocation. The seventh month, the first month of the civil year, had been specially set apart for religious purposes (Lev. 23:23–44), and had more days devoted to religious ordinances than any other month of the year. The holy convocation here indicated had already been ordained (Lev. 23:24, 25).

A day of blowing the trumpets. The blowing of the silver trumpets had already been enjoined on various occasions (see ch. 10:10), including the new moons. But the first day of the seventh month, or new year’s day of the civil calendar, was particularly the day for blowing them. The word “trumpets” does not appear either here or in Lev. 23:24. The term teruah, here translated “blowing the trumpets,” appears in Lev. 25:9 shopar, or “ram’s horn.”

2. Offer a burnt offering. In addition to all other sacrifices previously ordained for this day (Lev. 23:25). The sacrificial animals were less than those appointed for the festivals of Num. 28:19, 27, inasmuch as they were in addition to others for the same day.

3. Three tenth deals. About 6 qt. (6.6 l.), the usual portion for all sacrifices of this nature (ch. 15:6, 9).

4. One tenth deal. For vs. 4 and 5 compare ch. 28:15, 22, 30.

6. Burnt offering of the month. A burnt offering of two bullocks had previously been appointed for the beginning of each month (ch. 28:11, 12). That ordinance was not to be omitted on the first day of the seventh month.

Unto their manner. That is, in the order previously appointed: the daily burnt offering, then the sacrifices appointed for the first day of each month, and finally those specially appointed for the first day of the seventh month.

7. The tenth day. The Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27), the climax of the entire sacrificial system. The ritual for this great day is found in Lev. 16 and 23:26–32.

Afflict your souls. Literally, “exercise yourselves,” “be afflicted,” “be humbled.” This included fasting. This was and is the great annual fast strictly observed by orthodox Jews (cf. Lev. 16:29; 23:27-29, 32; Ps. 35:13; Isa. 58:3, 5; Acts 27:9).

Any work. The day was to be observed strictly as a sabbath of rest (Lev. 16:29, 31; 23:28–32).

8. A burnt offering. See v. 2.

9. Their meat offering. The meat offering was to be in the same proportions as noted in vs. 3, 4.

11. The sin offering of atonement. This is the ordinance from which the festival derived its special name (see Lev. 16). Note that Heb. 9:7-12, 23–28 is based on the description of Lev. 16. The blood of the sin offering of atonement was carried by the high priest into the most holy place. The blood of the bullock offered as a sin offering for the family of Aaron was also carried into the most holy place (Lev. 16:11, 14). Aside from these two, blood was never carried into the holy of holies.

The continual burnt offering. Again it is stressed that the various offerings mentioned were not to be omitted, not even on the great Day of Atonement. Even that high day was to begin with the continual burnt offering and the other offerings belonging to it. These would be followed by the sin offering of this verse. Then would come the sacrifice of atonement as given in Lev. 16.

12. On the fifteenth day. That is, the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which began at sunset of the 14th day (Lev. 23:34, 35).This feast followed the fruit and grape harvest (Deut. 16:13). The seven days were a time of happiness and rejoicing before the Lord.

Palestine in Biblical Times

13. Thirteen young bullocks. The same type of sacrifice was enjoined for other festivals. But whereas 2 bullocks were sufficient for the other festivals, here 13 are commanded (ch. 28:11, 19, 27). Each day for 7 consecutive days, one bullock less was offered each day (vs. 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32). Thus on the 7th day 7 bullocks were offered, thus making 70 bullocks during the 7 days.

16. A sin offering. The requirements of the sin offering were not augmented.

17. On the second day. One bullock less than on the preceding day. The number of rams and lambs was not affected. The entire system of ordinances rested upon the daily sacrifice; no matter what sacrifices were added the daily offering was never put aside. Similarly, the Lamb of God can never be superseded. No function, no ordinance, no rule, can take the place of the Son of God, through whom alone is salvation from sin.

35. A solemn assembly. The eighth day was set apart as a day of solemn joy before Jehovah. The word thus translated is from a root meaning “to restrain.” A noun form of the same root is translated “magistrate,” literally, “a possessor of restraint,” as in Judges 18:7. On this day the children of Israel were to refrain from all secular work, and devote their thoughts to Jehovah.

36. A burnt offering. A special sacrifice appointed for this day (see v. 13).

37. According to their number. Compare ch. 15:1–13.

38. One goat for a sin offering. Whatever the festival a sin offering was required (chs. 28:15, 22, 30; 29:5; etc.). The people ever stood in need of forgiveness; it was important that they never lose sight of that fact.

39. These things ye shall do. The Lord had appointed certain festivals for certain seasons. These were to be carried out in the precise manner He had prescribed.

Beside your vows. In addition to all these regularly prescribed sacrifices, an individual might offer an additional burnt offering, either as a mark of gratitude to Jehovah or in performance of some vow.

Burnt offerings. Compare Lev. 22:18–21; Num. 15:1–13. The sacrifices of this chapter were enjoined above and beyond all burnt offerings, meat offerings, drink offerings, and peace offerings presented in fulfillment of special vows.

40. And Moses told. In the Hebrew Bible this is the first verse of ch. 30.