Overview
Numbers 29 continues with the theme of worship regulations, focusing on the offerings for the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These instructions emphasize the importance of specific festivals in the Israelite religious calendar. Key points include:
Festival of Trumpets: The chapter begins with the offerings for the first day of the seventh month, the Festival of Trumpets. This day is marked by a sacred assembly, a day of rest, and the sounding of trumpets. The required offerings include a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs, along with the corresponding grain and drink offerings, and a male goat for a sin offering.
Day of Atonement: The tenth day of the seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It is a time of sacred assembly, fasting, and making offerings. The required offerings are similar to those of the Festival of Trumpets but with an added emphasis on atonement and reconciliation with God.
Feast of Tabernacles: From the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the Feast of Tabernacles begins and lasts for seven days. This festival involves special burnt offerings each day, decreasing in number over the course of the week. In total, seventy bulls, fourteen rams, and ninety-eight male lambs are offered, along with grain and drink offerings and a goat for a sin offering each day.
Eighth Day Assembly: Following the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, an eighth day is observed as a sacred assembly. The offerings on this day include one bull, one ram, seven male lambs, and the corresponding grain and drink offerings, along with a goat for a sin offering.
Significance of the Festivals: These festivals and their specific offerings play a crucial role in the religious and communal life of the Israelites. They are times of remembrance, celebration, and renewal of the covenant relationship with God.
Numbers 29 underscores the importance of structured and communal worship in Israelite society. The detailed regulations for offerings during these significant festivals ensure that the community maintains a rhythm of worship that honors God and fosters a sense of identity and continuity among the people.