Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
Numbers 28:11-15
The Special New Moon Offerings (Numbers 28:11).
And at the commencement of every moon cycle, on the day of the new moon, additional offerings would be made to Yahweh. These expressed gratitude to Yahweh for the continual maintenance of the times and the seasons (see Genesis 8:22), and the unchangeableness of creation. And they were a dedication to Yahweh on that day of their labour and service to Yahweh in the moon period ahead, and a making of atonement for their failures in the moon period that had passed. They had grown used to watching the moon and seeing it as being almost on the point of disappearing, and then as beginning to grow until it became full again, but they never forgot that it was due to Yahweh's control and power (Genesis 1:16). And they were thankful. And in their offerings on the new moon day was the heart cry, ‘let the moon flourish again'.
The new moon day was a day for feasting (1 Samuel 20:5), a day for those who had special concerns to visit prophets (2 Kings 4:23) and became a day when all trading was to cease (Amos 8:5), even though it was not usually a seven day Sabbath. Its special importance comes out in that the trumpets were to be blown when its offerings were offered (Numbers 10:10), similarly to at set feasts. It was one step below the Sabbath.
“ And in the beginnings of your moon periods you shall offer a whole burnt offering to Yahweh, two young ox bulls, and one ram, seven he-lambs a year old without blemish, and three tenth parts of an ephah of milled grain for a grain offering, mingled with oil, for each ox bull, and two tenth parts of milled grain for a grain offering, mingled with oil, for the one ram, and a tenth part of milled grain mingled with oil for a grain offering to every lamb; for a whole burnt offering of a pleasing odour, an offering made by fire to Yahweh,”
The offering was to have a new munificence. Two young ox bulls, one ram and seven he-lambs were to be offered up as whole burnt offerings, offerings that ‘went up', together with suitable grain offerings depending on the level of offering. (Three tenths for an ox bull, two tenths for a ram, and one tenth for each he-lamb). These male animals and grain offerings represented the source of their herds and flocks and the abundance of grain as provided to them by Yahweh. And they rose as a pleasing odour to Yahweh, an offering made to Him by fire. They would celebrate the possessions that would be theirs once Yahweh had given them the land (and the possessions that they had already received as a result of their present victories).
“ And their drink-offerings shall be half a hin of wine for an ox bull, and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb. This is the whole burnt offering of every moon period throughout the moon periods of the year.”
With them were offered their drink offerings, again graded according to the level of the offerings. All these offerings were made, new moon day by new moon day, throughout the year, as each introduced the moon cycle that was to follow. And they offered thanksgiving for the certainty that although the moon might wane, Yahweh would revive it again.
“ And one he-goat for a purification for sin offering to Yahweh, it shall be offered besides the continual whole burnt offering, and its drink offering.”
And as well as these offerings of dedication, tribute, thanksgiving and atonement, a he-goat was to be offered as a purification for sin offering. For it was necessary that the people be purified, and the camp be purified, continually if Yahweh was to dwell among them (Numbers 15:24). All this was offered over and above the continual daily whole burnt offering with its drink offering.