Numbers 28:13
And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
מִנְחָה֙
for a meat offering
H4503
מִנְחָה֙
for a meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
4 of 13
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
H1101
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
Strong's:
H1101
Word #:
5 of 13
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
בַשֶּׁ֔מֶן
with oil
H8081
בַשֶּׁ֔מֶן
with oil
Strong's:
H8081
Word #:
6 of 13
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
הָֽאֶחָ֑ד
unto one
H259
הָֽאֶחָ֑ד
unto one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
עֹלָה֙
for a burnt offering
H5930
עֹלָה֙
for a burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
9 of 13
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
נִיחֹ֔חַ
of a sweet
H5207
נִיחֹ֔חַ
of a sweet
Strong's:
H5207
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight
Historical Context
The monthly new moon festivals (Numbers 28:11-15) were less solemn than Sabbaths but still required cessation of ordinary work and assembly for worship. Archaeological evidence shows that ancient Near Eastern cultures also marked lunar cycles, but Israel's new moons uniquely pointed to the Creator who "appointed the moon for seasons" (Psalm 104:19).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the "separate" portion for each lamb reflect God's attention to individual worshipers within corporate gatherings?
- What does it mean for a life to be a "sweet savour" to God today, according to Ephesians 5:2 and Philippians 4:18?
- Why would God use sensory language (fragrance, savour) to describe spiritual realities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
A several tenth deal (עִשָּׂרוֹן, issaron)—literally "a tenth part" of an ephah, roughly 2 quarts of flour for each lamb. The term "several" (בַּד, bad) means "separate" or "individual," emphasizing that each lamb received its own grain offering, not a collective portion. This individualized provision mirrors God's personal care.
A sweet savour (רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ, reach nichoach)—"a soothing aroma" or "a fragrance of rest." This anthropomorphic language depicts sacrifices as pleasing to God, not because He needs food (Psalm 50:12-13), but because they represented obedience and devotion. Paul applies this same phrase to Christ's self-offering (Ephesians 5:2), revealing that these ancient rituals foreshadowed the ultimately pleasing sacrifice.