Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
Numbers 28:26-31
The Feast Of The Firstfruits (Numbers 28:26).
Even here, where there were already munificent offerings, we note that there is an increase in the level of the offerings as compared with Leviticus 23:18. Previously, while they were still in the wilderness, the requirement was of one ox bull, two rams and seven he-lambs, and the munificence was particular to that feast. But now that they had accumulated all the bulls of Bashan, to say nothing of those of Gilead, ox bulls were in plentiful supply, and so the level of the offering was increased, a subtle change that reflected that even this day, with its already munificent offerings, had to see a token increase in offering. All Israel would notice this and recognise the significance of the change. Gilead and Bashan were themselves firstruits to Yahweh.
a In the day of the firstfruits a new grain offering to be offered to Yahweh (Numbers 28:26).
b Whole burnt offerings to be offered to Yahweh of two young ox bulls and a ram and seven he-lambs for a pleasing odour (Numbers 28:27).
c The grain offerings to be offered with them (Numbers 28:28).
b One he-goat to be offered to make atonement as well as the continual whole burnt offering (Numbers 28:30 a).
a They are to be offered with its grain and drink offerings, the whole to be without blemish (Numbers 28:31 b).
“ Also in the day of the first-fruits, when you offer a new grain offering to Yahweh in your feast of sevens, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no servile work,”
The feast of firstfruits, or sevens, or harvest, was a day when a new grain offering was offered to Yahweh, the firstfruits of their labours (Exodus 23:16) and of the wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22), a contribution offering of two loaves of milled grain baked with leaven (a rare case of leaven being allowed) and presented with the listed offerings (Leviticus 23:11). No leaven could be offered by fire to Yahweh, but leaven was permitted as a part of the offering from their labours in a contribution offering which could be partaken of by the priests. And this too was a day of holy convocation (calling together) in which no servile work could be done. This feast especially celebrated the gathering in of the wheat harvest.
“ But you shall offer a whole burnt offering for a pleasing odour to Yahweh, two young ox bulls, one ram, seven he-lambs a year old; and their grain offering, milled grain mingled with oil, three tenth parts for each ox bull, two tenth parts for the one ram, a tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs; one he-goat, to make atonement for you.”
And during that day the priests would offer their two young ox bulls, their ram and their seven he-lambs, representing the gratitude, dedication and worship of the whole of Israel. And again the men of Israel, gathered with any who had come with them round the Sanctuary, would see the smoke of the offerings rising again and again, and their hearts were to be full of praise and worship as they rededicated themselves to Yahweh and the covenant.
“ Besides the continual whole burnt offering, and its grain offering, you shall offer them (they shall be to you without blemish), and their drink-offerings.”
And this was as well as the continual daily whole burnt offerings with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, offered without blemish.