On the seventh dayThe seventh day here refers to the final day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a significant festival in the Jewish calendar. This day is part of a week-long observance that begins with Passover, commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The number seven often symbolizes completion and perfection in the Bible, reflecting God's creation week.
you shall hold a sacred assembly
A sacred assembly, or "holy convocation," is a gathering for worship and reflection. This assembly underscores the communal aspect of worship in ancient Israel, emphasizing unity and collective remembrance of God's deliverance. It is a time set apart for spiritual focus, aligning with the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation from the ordinary.
you must not do any regular work
The prohibition against regular work highlights the importance of rest and devotion to God. This command echoes the Sabbath principle, where rest is a form of worship and trust in God's provision. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God, contrasting their previous life of slavery in Egypt. This rest is a precursor to the ultimate rest found in Christ, as mentioned inHebrews 4:9-10, where believers are invited to enter God's rest through faith.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the laws and instructions from God, including those in
Numbers 28.
2.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, to whom these instructions were given as part of their covenant relationship with Him.
3.
SabbathThe seventh day of the week, set apart as a day of rest and sacred assembly for the Israelites.
4.
TabernacleThe place where the Israelites gathered for worship and where the sacred assembly would take place.
5.
WildernessThe setting where the Israelites received these instructions as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
The Importance of RestGod designed the Sabbath as a day of rest, reflecting His own rest after creation. This principle of rest is vital for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Sacred AssemblyGathering for worship is a key aspect of the Sabbath, emphasizing community and corporate worship. It is a time to focus on God and His Word.
Holiness and ObedienceObserving the Sabbath is an act of obedience and a sign of holiness. It sets God's people apart and reminds them of their covenant relationship with Him.
Spiritual ReflectionThe Sabbath provides an opportunity for reflection on God's provision and faithfulness. It is a time to realign priorities and focus on spiritual growth.
Application in Modern LifeWhile the specific observance of the Sabbath may differ today, the principles of rest, worship, and reflection remain relevant. Christians are encouraged to find regular times for rest and spiritual renewal.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Numbers 28:25?
2.How does Numbers 28:25 emphasize the importance of sacred assemblies in worship?
3.What role does rest play in your spiritual life, as seen in Numbers 28:25?
4.How can observing sacred assemblies strengthen your relationship with God today?
5.What connections exist between Numbers 28:25 and the Sabbath commandment in Exodus 20:8-11?
6.How can you incorporate the principles of Numbers 28:25 into your weekly routine?
7.What is the significance of the sacred assembly mentioned in Numbers 28:25?
8.How does Numbers 28:25 relate to the concept of rest in the Bible?
9.Why is the offering in Numbers 28:25 important for understanding Old Testament worship?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 28?
11.Why would a supposedly omniscient deity continue to demand repetitive sacrifices in Numbers 29 if the people's hearts were often wayward?
12.What is the meaning of Biblical numerology?
13.Matthew 12:1-8: How can picking grain on the Sabbath be considered 'blameless' when it appears to contradict strict Old Testament Sabbath laws?
14.What evidence exists that these extensive rituals, detailed in Numbers 29, were historically observed or feasible at that scale?What Does Numbers 28:25 Mean
On the seventh dayNumbers 28:25 opens with, “On the seventh day…”, marking the climactic close of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (cf.Exodus 12:15–16;Leviticus 23:8).
• Seven is woven through Scripture as a pattern of completion—first seen when “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it” (Genesis 2:3).
• By specifying the seventh day of the feast, God builds Sabbath rhythm into Israel’s yearly calendar, reminding the nation of His creative work and their ongoing dependence (Exodus 20:8–11).
• This seventh-day pause also bookends the festival that began with rest on the first day (Numbers 28:18). The repetition underlines both the seriousness of the feast and the grace that brackets it.
you shall hold a sacred assemblyThe verse continues, “you shall hold a sacred assembly”.
• A sacred assembly is a public gathering devoted to worship, Scripture reading, and sacrifices (Leviticus 23:3;Nehemiah 8:1–8).
• By calling it “sacred,” God sets the day apart from ordinary meetings; His people come together as a covenant community before His presence (Deuteronomy 16:8).
• These assemblies foreshadow the ultimate gathering of believers around Christ (Hebrews 10:25;Revelation 7:9), portraying unity and corporate devotion.
• Practically, the directive combats isolation: worship is not merely private but shared, reinforcing truth through mutual encouragement (Malachi 3:16).
you must not do any regular workThe command finishes with, “you must not do any regular work”.
• “Regular work” points to vocational, profit-driven labor (Exodus 31:15), not acts of mercy or necessity (Matthew 12:11–12).
• Rest is an act of trust—Israel lays down tools believing God will supply, mirroring manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:23–30).
• Ceasing strengthens identity: they are God’s redeemed people first, laborers second (Deuteronomy 5:12–15).
• For believers today, while ceremonial regulations were fulfilled in Christ (Colossians 2:16–17), the principle of rhythmic rest remains: we honor God by embracing margin, worship, and service rather than relentless productivity (Hebrews 4:9–11).
summaryNumbers 28:25 closes the Feast of Unleavened Bread with a God-ordained rest day. By gathering on the seventh day, Israel reenacted creation’s completion, met in holy assembly, and laid aside ordinary labor. The command nurtured communal worship, declared dependence on the Lord’s provision, and pointed ahead to the ultimate rest found in Christ.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
On the seventhהַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י(haš·šə·ḇî·‘î)Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7637:Seventh (an ordinal number)dayוּבַיּוֹם֙(ū·ḇay·yō·wm)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A dayyou shall holdיִהְיֶ֣ה(yih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bea sacredקֹ֖דֶשׁ(qō·ḏeš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944:A sacred place, thing, sanctityassembly;מִקְרָא־(miq·rā-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4744:Something called out, a public meeting, a rehearsalyou must notלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nodoתַעֲשֽׂוּ׃(ṯa·‘ă·śū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213:To do, makeanyכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyregular work.מְלֶ֥אכֶת(mə·le·ḵeṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4399:Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property
Links
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OT Law: Numbers 28:25 On the seventh day you shall have (Nu Num.) 
