Numbers 28

Chap. XXVIII. Ver. 1—31. This chapter is little more than a recapitulation of precepts before given, as to the principal sacrifices of the Israelites: viz. the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices, including the passover, first-fruits, &c. What is new, seems to require very little explanation. “The stated sacrifices and service of the tabernacle having, probably, been greatly interrupted for several years, and a new generation having arisen, who were children or minors when the law was given respecting these ordinances; and as they were now about to enter into the promised land where they must be established and constantly observed; God commands Moses to repeat them to the people in the following order:— 1.

Daily: the morning and evening sacrifices; a lamb each time, (ver. 3, 4.) 2. Weekly: the sabbath offerings; two lambs of a year old, (ver. 9, 11.) 3. Monthly: at the beginning of each month, two young bullocks, one ram, and seven lambs of a year old, and a kid for a sin-offering, (ver. 11, 15.) 4. Annual: (1.) The Passover, to last seven days; the offerings, two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of a year old, and a he-goat, (ver. 16, 25.) (2.) The day of First-fruits: the sacrifices the same as on the beginning of the month, (ver. 26, 31.) “The monthly sacrifices were regulated by the new moons and it is probable that the solemn sacrifices were appointed by God to prevent the idolatry which was usual among the heathen at this period; who expressed the most extravagant rejoicings on the first appearance of the new moon.

At Athens, as Plutarch observes, sacrifices were made at the Neomania, or new moon. Demosthenes says, (Orat. adver. aristog.) they went at the new moon up to the citadel of Athens, and there sacrificed, and implored the gods for the welfare of the city and all individuals in the following month. Among the Romans, according to Macrobius, it was the business of the junior pontifex to watch for the appearance of the new light. As soon as he observed the new moon, he announced it to the chief priest, on which they performed together the sacrifice usual on that day. Moses, however, used the return of the moon only as one of the most natural and convenient measures of time; and ap-

Notes on the verses

Clarke. 4 p Vor. 12. Abarim.—This (according to Dr. Shaw) is the name of a ridge of mountains continued along the eastern coast of the Red sea, of which mount Nebo, or Pisgah, formed a part. ((Deuteronomy 32:49). xxxiv. 1.) Ver. 16. Spirit of all flesh.—(Yehouwah elohey haroochoth lechol basar, Jehovah, the God of the spirits of all flesh.” This address sufficiently proves that this holy man believed man to be compounded of flesh and spirit; and that these principles are perfectly distinct. Either the materiality of the soul is a human fable, or, if it be a true doctrine Moses did not pray under the influence of the Divine Spirit. There is a similar form of expression in ch. xvi. 22.: “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh;”

and in (Job 12:10). “In whose hand is the soul (nephesh) of all living; and the spirit (rooach) of all flesh of man.” These seem decisive proofs, among many others, that the Old Testament teaches that there is an immortal spirit in man; for though rooach, sometimes denotes breath or wind, yet it certainly has not that signification here, nor in the other passages cited. ]—Bagster. Ver. 21. The judgment of Urim.—That is, the mysterious breastplate of the High Priest, already mentioned, (Exodus 27:30). (Leviticus 8:8). But we shall have farther occasion to inquire into this mysterious subject.