Numbers 28:29
A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;
Original Language Analysis
הָֽאֶחָ֑ד
unto one
H259
הָֽאֶחָ֑ד
unto one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
Historical Context
The cumulative grain offerings for Pentecost (12 tenths ephah = ~13 quarts) plus oil and drink offerings represented substantial community wealth. Ancient Israelites, living at subsistence level, sacrificed meaningful portions of harvest to honor God, modeling prioritization of worship over personal comfort.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the repetitive 'unto one lamb' structure challenge casual or careless approaches to worship preparation?
- What does the substantial cumulative grain offering (over half an ephah) teach about corporate worship requiring community-wide sacrifice?
- How can you cultivate intentionality in worship preparation, ensuring each element receives proper attention rather than perfunctory performance?
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Analysis & Commentary
A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs—Each of the seven lambs (שִׁבְעַת הַכְּבָשִׂים shiv'at hakevasim) received a several tenth deal (עִשָּׂרוֹן עִשָּׂרוֹן isaron isaron, one-tenth repeatedly, ~2.2 qts each), creating cumulative grain offering of 7 tenths (plus 3 for bulls, 2 for rams = 12 total tenths, over half an ephah). This substantial grain quantity represented significant community investment in worship—expensive offerings demonstrated worship's priority over personal consumption.
The repetitive unto one lamb structure emphasizes individual attention—each lamb received proper grain portion, teaching that God values thoroughness and excellence in worship preparation. Jesus praised the widow's two mites (Mark 12:41-44) not for amount but proportion and intentionality—sacrificial giving reflects heart priority.