Numbers 15:9
Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִקְרִ֤יב
Then shall he bring
H7126
וְהִקְרִ֤יב
Then shall he bring
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 12
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בֶּן
H1121
בֶּן
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַבָּקָר֙
with a bullock
H1241
הַבָּקָר֙
with a bullock
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
4 of 12
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
מִנְחָ֔ה
a meat offering
H4503
מִנְחָ֔ה
a meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
5 of 12
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
of three
H7969
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
of three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
7 of 12
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
בָּל֥וּל
mingled
H1101
בָּל֥וּל
mingled
Strong's:
H1101
Word #:
9 of 12
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
Cross References
Numbers 28:12And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;Numbers 28:14And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.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
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, grain and oil were staples of life, often used in pagan fertility offerings. Israel's regulations sanctified these common elements, redirecting them from idolatrous contexts to Yahweh-worship, demonstrating that all provision flows from the Creator.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God require the 'fine flour' of our best effort rather than accepting leftovers or mediocrity?
- How does the combination of blood (atonement) and grain (consecration) reflect the dual nature of true worship?
- What does the transformation of common elements (grain, oil) into holy offerings teach about redeeming everyday life for God's glory?
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Analysis & Commentary
Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour—The maximum grain offering (3 ephahs ≈ 6.6 liters of flour) accompanied the maximum animal sacrifice. This pairing ensured that blood atonement (animal) was never separated from life consecration (grain/oil representing daily sustenance).
The Hebrew word for flour, סֹלֶת (solet), means 'fine flour'—grain ground to powder, sifted repeatedly. This labor-intensive process pictures the refinement required in worship. Mixed with 1/2 hin (≈ 1.8 liters) of oil, it created a rich offering expressing gratitude for God's abundant provision.