Study notes

Numbers 29

Introducing NumbersWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

25:1–31:54 Section

Balak had worked together with the Midianites to try to stop the people of Israel. Their plan of having Balaam put a curse on the Israelites didn’t work. So Balaam gave them advice about how to trick the Israelites.

Israelite men committed sexual sins with women from Moab and Midian. Then they started worshipping a false god named Baal with these women. These things were wrong and God brought judgement against his people for doing them. God sent a plague against them at the place called Baal Peor.

Phinehas showed how committed he was to making sure that the Israelites honoured God. Later God brought judgement against the Midianites for tricking God’s people. The Israelite army attacked them and destroyed their towns. Balaam was killed.

The plague at Baal Peor marked an important time. It was when all the Israelites who had refused to enter Canaan had died. After this the people were counted for a second time. They also received more instructions from God about making offerings and special promises. Joshua was set apart and recognised as the leader after Moses. He and Eleazar would lead the people like Moses and Aaron had.

28:1–29:40

These two chapters describe Israel's ceremonial calendar. It listed daily, weekly, and monthly offerings, along with annual religious events. God instructed Israel to worship him "in a proper and orderly manner" (1 Corinthians 14:40).
The annual sacrifices required many animals, grain, oil, and wine. On these special days, Israel stopped their usual work. This was a sacrifice that emphasized the importance of these holy days.
The annual cycle included eight different occasions for worship, each reflecting Israel's relationship with the Lord. Each event involved different combinations of burnt, grain, liquid, or sin offerings.
For details on grain and liquid offerings, see Numbers 15:1–16. For explanations of different offerings, see Leviticus 1:1–7:38. For a description of Israel's festivals, see Leviticus 23:1–44. For the New Testament view on the Old Testament sacrificial system, see John 1:29; Romans 12:1; Hebrews 9:9–15; 10:1–2; 1 Peter 2:5.

29:1–6

a day for you to sound the trumpets: See also Leviticus 23:23–25.

29:7

On the tenth day of this seventh month: Today this day is known as Yom Kippur. The name comes from the Hebrew yom hakkippurim, which means “day of atonement” (a day for seeking forgiveness for sin, Leviticus 23:27).

29:7–11

The Day of Atonement was a serious and holy day. It was a day of fasting, when the people did not eat food as a sign of repentance and prayer (see also Leviticus 16; 23:26–32; Romans 3:23–25; Hebrews 9:7–12, 23–28).

29:12–38

The Feast of Tabernacles began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. It was an eight-day harvest celebration that required many offerings (Numbers 29:12, 35; Exodus 34:22). This festival was a joyful time for giving thanks (see Nehemiah 8:13–18). The tabernacles (or shelters) reminded the Israelites of living in tents during their time in the wilderness (see also Leviticus 23:33–43; 1 Kings 8:1–2).

29:39

The public offerings were not the only sacrifices. People also brought their own voluntary gifts (see Leviticus 23:38).

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