Numbers 28:26-31

E. OFFERINGS FOR THE FIRST FRUITS vv. 26-31
TEXT

Numbers 28:26. Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the Lord, after your weeks be out, ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: 27. But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savor unto the Lord; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year; 28. And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram, 29. A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs; 30. And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. 31. Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish,) and their drink offerings.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 28:26. Also on the day of the firstfruits, when you bring a new meal offering to the Lord, during your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no hard work. 27, And you shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet aroma to the Lord: two young bulls, one ram, seven yearling lambs; 28. and their meal offering of flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of a measure for one bull, two-tenths of a measure for one ram, 29. one-tenth of a measure for one lamb, for each of the seven lambs; 30. and one male goat, to make an atonement for you. 31. You shall offer them in addition to the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, and you shall present them with their drink offerings; they shall be without defect.

COMMENTARY

The feast described in this section is variously called the Feast of Weeks, the Harvest Feast, the Feast of the First Fruits, and, later, Pentecost. The same offerings were designated as for the previous two feasts. Two special provisions are stipulated: there is to be a congregation, or holy convocation of the people; and, the people are to avoid hard work.

The date of the feast was seven weeks after the Passover, on the fiftieth day. From this fact was derived the last name, Pentecost. In the growing season, this placed the Feast at the time of the wheat harvest. The people were asked to express their gratitude to God in a freewill offering at the time, as they began to harvest their grain (Deuteronomy 16:10); the offering was to reflect the blessings they had first received from God, with each individual male appearing before the Lord with such a gift as he was able (Deuteronomy 16:17).

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

531.

By what other names is the Feast of Weeks known?

532.

Explain how each of the different names for this feast has its own significance.

533.

At what time of year was the Feast of Weeks to be observed?

534.

What product was being harvested at this time?

535.

What determined the value or amount of the freewill offering given at the feast?