John Calvin Commentary Numbers 29:12

"And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto Jehovah seven days:" — Numbers 29:12 (ASV)

And on the fifteenth day. Among their festivals, this last was the chief²⁴⁰ in which they dwelt in tabernacles for seven days. For while in the Passover they commemorated the night in which they came out free from the plagues of Egypt, by dwelling in tabernacles they embraced the whole forty years in which their fathers in the desert experienced the constant and consummate bounty of God. That solemn assembly, too, served another current purpose, that is, of thanksgiving to God for the ingathering of the harvest.

For this reason, they offered sacrifices every day and in greater number: on the first day, thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs; on the second, twelve young bulls; on the third, eleven; on the fourth, ten; on the fifth, nine; on the sixth, eight; finally, on the seventh, seven; and on the eighth, one.

Nor is it without reason that Moses uses so many words in this account; first, so that nothing might be done except at God’s command; secondly, so that it would not be disagreeable or burdensome to be at such great expense, which they would have gladly avoided. Therefore, so that they might cheerfully obey God’s command, he diligently impresses upon them what sacrifices God required to be offered to Him daily.

But why the distribution was so unequal, I confess, is not clear to me, and it is better to confess my ignorance than by overly subtle speculations to vanish into mere smoke.²⁴¹ This notion, indeed, is neither peculiar nor to be rejected, that is, that by daily diminishing the number, they came at last on the seventh day to the number seven, which is the symbol of perfection; for the eighth was superadded merely as a conclusion.

Finally, Moses adds that in the continual sacrifice, as well as these extraordinary ones, they should hold fast to what God prescribes, so that nothing should be altered according to human whim. The sacrifices that depend on the Commandments of the Second Table, I have intentionally postponed to their proper place.

²⁴⁰ “La plus authentique.” —— Fr.

²⁴¹ Scott’s conjecture is not without force: “The decrease of the number of the bullocks which were sacrificed on the several days of the feast, until on the last and great day only one was offered, is the most observable circumstance in this law. The reason is not evident, unless it be intimated that the Mosaic institution would gradually wax old, and at length vanish away when the promised Messiah came. (Hebrews 8:7–13.)” As a specimen of the ancient opinions, I subjoin the following, — “The Hebrews say that the offerings were made for other nations; and, therefore, seventy calves were offered altogether, according to the number of the seventy nations, divided into seventy languages. But fourteen calves were offered on the first day, and on the second day thirteen, thus decreasing one every day to the last inclusive; by which is designated that the dominion of the Gentiles was to be diminished and terminated under King Messiah, to whom all nations are to be subdued,” etc. — De Lyra, .)” As a specimen of the ancient opinions, I subjoin the following, — “The Hebrews say that the offerings were made for other nations; and, therefore, seventy calves were offered altogether, according to the number of the seventy nations, divided into seventy languages. But fourteen calves were offered on the first day, and on the second day thirteen, thus decreasing one every day to the last inclusive; by which is designated that the dominion of the Gentiles was to be diminished and terminated under King Messiah, to whom all nations are to be subdued,” etc. — De Lyra, in loco.