Numbers – Chapter 29

Old Testament39 Verses

Chapter Summary

Numbers 29 opens with the words: "The first day also of the seventh month shall be venerable and holy unto you; you shall do no servile work therein, because it is the day…" Across its 39 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1The first day also of the seventh month shall be venerable and holy unto you; you shall do no servile work therein, because it is the day of the sounding and of trumpets.

2And you shall offer a holocaust for a most sweet odour to the Lord, one calf of the herd, one ram and seven lambs of a year old, without blemish.

3And for their sacrifices, three tenths of flour tempered with oil to every calf, two tenths to a ram,

4One tenth to a lamb, which in all are seven lambs:

5And a buck goat for sin, which is offered for the expiation of the people,

6Besides the holocaust of the first day of the month with the sacrifices thereof, and the perpetual holocaust with the accustomed libations. With the same ceremonies you shall offer a burnt sacrifice for a most sweet odour to the Lord.

7The tenth day also of this seventh month shall be holy and venerable unto you, and you shall afflict your souls; you shall do no servile work therein.

8And you shall offer a holocaust to the Lord for a most sweet odour, one calf of the herd, one ram, and seven lambs of a year old, without blemish:

9And for their sacrifices, three tenths of flour tempered with oil to every calf, two tenths to a ram,

10The tenth of a tenth to every lamb, which are in all seven lambs:

11And a buck goat for sin, besides the things that are wont to be offered for sin, for expiation, and for the perpetual holocaust with their sacrifice and libations.

12And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, which shall be unto you holy and venerable, you shall do no servile work, but shall celebrate a solemnity to the Lord seven days.

13And you shall offer a holocaust for a most sweet odour to the Lord, thirteen calves of the herd, two rams, and fourteen lambs of a year old, without blemish:

14And for their libations three tenths of flour tempered with oil to every calf, being in all thirteen calves: and two tenths to each ram, being two rams,

15And the tenth of a tenth to every lamb, being in all fourteen lambs:

16And a buck goat for sin, besides the perpetual holocaust, and the sacrifice and the libation thereof.

17On the second day you shall offer twelve calves of the herd, two rams and fourteen lambs of a year old, without blemish:

18And the sacrifices and the libations for every one, for the calves and for the rams and for the lambs you shall duly celebrate:

19And a buck goat for a sin offering besides the perpetual holocaust, and the sacrifice and the libation thereof.

20The third day you shall offer eleven calves, two rams, and fourteen lambs of a year old, without blemish:

21And the sacrifices and the libations of every one for the calves and for the rams and for the lambs you shall offer according to the rite:

22And a buck goat for sin, besides the perpetual holocaust, and the sacrifice, and the libation thereof.

23The fourth day you shall offer ten calves, two rams, and fourteen lambs of a year old, without blemish:

24And the sacrifices and the libations of every one for the calves and for the rams and for the lambs you shall celebrate in right manner:

25And a buck goat for sin, besides the perpetual holocaust, and the sacrifice and the libation thereof.

26The fifth day you shall offer nine calves, two rams, and fourteen lambs of a year old, without blemish:

27And the sacrifices and the libations of every one for the calves and for the rams and for the lambs you shall celebrate according to the rite:

28And a buck goat for sin, besides the perpetual holocaust, and the sacrifice and the libation thereof.

29The sixth day you shall offer eight calves, two rams, and fourteen lambs of a year old, without blemish:

30And the sacrifices and the libations of every one for the calves and for the rams and for the lambs you shall celebrate according to the rite:

31And a buck goat for sin, besides the perpetual holocaust, and the sacrifice and the libation thereof.

32The seventh day you shall offer seven calves and two rams, and fourteen lambs of a year old, without blemish:

33And the sacrifices and the libations of every one for the calves and for the rams and for the lambs you shall celebrate according to the rite:

34And a buck goat for sin, besides the perpetual holocaust, and the sacrifice and the libation thereof.

35On the eighth day, which is most solemn, you shall do no servile work:

36But you shall offer a holocaust for a most sweet odour to the Lord, one calf, one ram, and seven lambs of a year old, without blemish:

37And the sacrifices and the libations of every one for the calves and for the rams and for the lambs you shall celebrate according to the rite:

38And a buck goat for sin, besides the perpetual holocaust, and the sacrifice and the libation thereof.

39These things shall you offer to the Lord in your solemnities: besides your vows and voluntary oblations for holocaust, for sacrifice, for libation, and for victims of peace offerings.

Important Verses in Numbers 29

The first day also of the seventh month shall be venerable and holy unto you; you shall do no servile work therein, because it is the day of the sounding and of trumpets.

Numbers 29:1

The tenth day also of this seventh month shall be holy and venerable unto you, and you shall afflict your souls; you shall do no servile work therein.

Numbers 29:7

And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, which shall be unto you holy and venerable, you shall do no servile work, but shall celebrate a solemnity to the Lord seven days.

Numbers 29:12

These things shall you offer to the Lord in your solemnities: besides your vows and voluntary oblations for holocaust, for sacrifice, for libation, and for victims of peace offerings.

Numbers 29:39

Historical Context

Numbers belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel on the threshold of the Promised Land, warned by the failures of the wilderness generation. Chapter 29 of 36 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 39 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "The first day also of the seventh month shall be venerable and holy unto you; you shall do no servile work therein,…" The chapter ends with: "These things shall you offer to the Lord in your solemnities: besides your vows and voluntary oblations for holocaust,…" In terms of historical background, Numbers takes its name from the two censuses of Israel and covers nearly forty years of wandering between Sinai and the plains of Moab. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with priestly editing

When It Was Written

Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 39-verse passage, the sacred author describes events, speeches, or revelations central to wilderness journey and God's faithfulness. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The first day also of the seventh month shall be venerable and holy unto you; you shall do no servile work therein, because it is the day of the sounding and…" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of wilderness journey and God's faithfulness. the Church sees Israel's journey as an image of our pilgrimage to heaven (CIC 2119). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 385).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God guides His people through the desert. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Numbers 29 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.

Reflection for Today

In Numbers Chapter 29, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of wilderness journey and God's faithfulness.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Numbers Chapter 29 supports that call by drawing attention to redemptive suffering united to the Cross within the wider message that God guides His people through the desert.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of redemptive suffering united to the Cross bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Numbers Chapter 29 about?

Numbers 29 contains 39 verses. It opens with "The first day also of the seventh month shall be venerable and holy unto you; you shall do no servile work therein,…" and closes with "These things shall you offer to the Lord in your solemnities: besides your vows and voluntary oblations for holocaust,…". The book as a whole is narrative, census lists, and law.

What is a key verse in Numbers 29?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The first day also of the seventh month shall be venerable and holy unto you; you shall do no servile work therein, because it is the day of the sounding and of trumpets." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Numbers and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with priestly editing. Wilderness traditions of the 13th century BC; final form by the 5th century BC.

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