Numbers 15:4
Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil.
Original Language Analysis
הַמַּקְרִ֥יב
Then shall he that offereth
H7126
הַמַּקְרִ֥יב
Then shall he that offereth
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 11
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
הַמַּקְרִ֥יב
Then shall he that offereth
H7126
הַמַּקְרִ֥יב
Then shall he that offereth
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
2 of 11
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
קָרְבָּנ֖וֹ
his offering
H7133
קָרְבָּנ֖וֹ
his offering
Strong's:
H7133
Word #:
3 of 11
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִנְחָה֙
a meat offering
H4503
מִנְחָה֙
a meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
5 of 11
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
בָּל֕וּל
mingled
H1101
בָּל֕וּל
mingled
Strong's:
H1101
Word #:
8 of 11
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
Cross References
Exodus 29:40And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.Leviticus 23:13And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.Leviticus 2:1And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:Leviticus 6:14And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar.Leviticus 14:10And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil.
Historical Context
Grain offerings accompanied most animal sacrifices, representing the fruit of agricultural labor. The flour was fine, indicating quality. The oil was olive oil, central to Israelite diet and economy. Mixing them created a dough or cake that was partially burned and partially eaten by the priests, demonstrating that God receives worship while His ministers are sustained by the people's offerings.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the combination of animal and grain offerings teach about comprehensive devotion?
- How does oil mixed with flour symbolize the Spirit's necessity in making worship acceptable?
- In what ways should our offerings represent the full scope of our lives and labor?
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Analysis & Commentary
The grain offering accompanying the animal sacrifice demonstrates that worship involves comprehensive giving—not just animals but also grain and oil. The specific measurements (tenth of an ephah of flour, quarter hin of oil) show that God prescribes proportions for offerings, ensuring adequacy without excess. The oil mixed with flour represents the Spirit's work in making our offerings acceptable. The Reformed doctrine that we can only worship acceptably through the Spirit's enabling is prefigured in this mingling of oil with flour.