Numbers 28:12
And 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;
Original Language Analysis
וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
And three
H7969
וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
And three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
1 of 16
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
מִנְחָה֙
for a meat offering
H4503
מִנְחָה֙
for a meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
4 of 16
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
H1101
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
Strong's:
H1101
Word #:
5 of 16
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
בַשֶּׁ֔מֶן
with oil
H8081
בַשֶּׁ֔מֶן
with oil
Strong's:
H8081
Word #:
6 of 16
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
לַפָּ֖ר
bullock
H6499
לַפָּ֖ר
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
7 of 16
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
הָֽאֶחָֽד׃
for one
H259
הָֽאֶחָֽד׃
for one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מִנְחָה֙
for a meat offering
H4503
מִנְחָה֙
for a meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
12 of 16
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
H1101
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
Strong's:
H1101
Word #:
13 of 16
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
בַשֶּׁ֔מֶן
with oil
H8081
בַשֶּׁ֔מֶן
with oil
Strong's:
H8081
Word #:
14 of 16
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
Historical Context
Numbers 28-29 provides the liturgical calendar given at Moab just before entering Canaan (c. 1406 BC). These regulations supplemented Leviticus, ensuring the sacrificial system would continue in the Promised Land with monthly, seasonal, and annual festivals marking Israel's sacred rhythm.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the grain and drink offerings alongside blood sacrifices challenge a purely "spiritual" view of worship divorced from material life?
- What does the precision of these measurements teach about approaching God with carefulness rather than casualness?
- In light of Hebrews 10:1-4, how do these detailed shadows deepen appreciation for Christ's sufficient sacrifice?
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Analysis & Commentary
Three tenth deals of flour (שְׁלֹשָׁה עֶשְׂרֹנִים, sheloshah esronim)—precise grain measurements that accompanied animal sacrifices, demonstrating that worship required both costly blood sacrifice and daily sustenance offered back to God. The minchah (מִנְחָה, grain offering) mixed with oil symbolized consecration of ordinary provision. The graduated amounts—three for a bullock, two for a ram—reflected the animals' relative value and the worshiper's economic capacity.
These feast offerings at new moons (Rosh Chodesh) sanctified time itself, marking months by the lunar calendar. Hebrews 10:1-4 declares such offerings were "shadows" pointing to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice—yet their meticulous detail reveals God's desire that all of life, from grandest festivals to daily bread, be offered in worship.