Numbers 29:12

“And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation, etc.] Of the same month Tisri, which was the seventh from Nisan or Abib, though it was formerly the first month of the year: ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days; the feast of tabernacles, which began on the fifteenth day of this month. Ver. 13-34. And ye shall offer a burnt offering, etc.] That is, on the first of the seven days, which was as follows: thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year, they shall be without blemish; a very large sacrifice indeed, for these were offered besides one kid of the goats, for a sin offering, and the two…”

“on the fifteenth day--was to be held the feast of booths or tabernacles. (See Lev 23:34-35). The feast was to last seven days, the first and last of which were to be kept as Sabbaths, and a particular offering was prescribed for each day, the details of which are given with a minuteness suited to the infant state of the church. Two things are deserving of notice: First, that this feast was distinguished by a greater amount and variety of sacrifices than any other--partly because, occurring at the end of the year, it might be intended to supply any past deficiencies--partly because, being immediately after the ingathering of the fruits, it ought to be a liberal acknowledgment--and partly,…”

“Feast of tabernacles: compare Leviticus 23:33 ff. The offerings required at this feast were the largest of all. It was especially one of thankfulness to God for the gift of the fruits of the earth; and the quantity and the nature of the offerings (see Numbers 29:7-11) were determined accordingly. Numbers 29:32 Stress is laid on the number seven, the holy symbolic covenant number, by way of intimation that the mercies of the harvest accrued by virtue of God’s covenant. The diminishing number of bullocks sacrificed on the preceding days of the Feast (compare Numbers 29:13, Numbers 29:17, etc.), is adjusted simply to obtain the coincidence before us on the seventh day; but some have thought…”

“Seven days - Not by abstaining so long from all servile work, but by offering extraordinary sacrifices each day. This was the Feast of Tabernacles. And all the days of their dwelling in booths, they must offer sacrifices. While we are in these tabernacles, 'tis our interest as well as duty, to keep up our communion with God. Nor will the unsettledness of our outward condition, excuse our neglect of God's worship. Next: Numbers Chapter 30”

“29:12-38 The Festival of Shelters began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. It was an eight-day harvest celebration (29:12, 35; Exod 34:22) that required an enormous number of offerings. This harvest festival was an especially joyous occasion and a time for thanksgiving (see Neh 8:13-18). The shelters also reminded the Israelites of dwelling in tents during their wilderness sojourn (see also Lev 23:33-43; 1 Kgs 8:1-2).”

“the fifteenth day: This was the feast of Tabernacles, kept in commemoration of their dwelling in tents in the wilderness for forty years. The first and last days were to be kept as sabbaths, on which there were solemn assemblies; and for seven days sacrifices were offered. On the other festivals, two bullocks sufficed ( Num 28:11, Num 28:19, Num 28:27), and on the festival at the beginning of this month, only one was appointed; but, on the first day of this festival, thirteen young bullocks were appointed; and so on each successive day, with the decrease of only one bullock, till on the seventh day, there were only seven, making in all seventy bullocks. The lambs, and the rams also, were in…”

“The feast of Tabernacles, the special regulations for the celebration of which are contained in Lev 23:34-36 and Lev 23:39-43, was distinguished above all the other feasts of the year by the great number of burnt-offerings, which raised it into the greatest festival of joy. On the seven feast-days, the first of which was to be celebrated with sabbatical rest and a holy meeting, there were to be offered, in addition to the daily burnt-offering, every day a he-goat for a sin-offering, and seventy oxen in all for a burnt-offering during the seven days, as well as every day two rams and fourteen yearling lambs, with the requisite meat-offerings and drink-offerings. Whilst, therefore, the number…”