Numbers 29:14
And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth deals to each ram of the two rams,
Original Language Analysis
וּמִנְחָתָ֔ם
And their meat offering
H4503
וּמִנְחָתָ֔ם
And their meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
1 of 17
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
H1101
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
Strong's:
H1101
Word #:
3 of 17
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
בַשָּׁ֑מֶן
with oil
H8081
בַשָּׁ֑מֶן
with oil
Strong's:
H8081
Word #:
4 of 17
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
לִשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
of the thirteen
H7969
לִשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
of the thirteen
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
5 of 17
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
פָּרִ֔ים
bullock
H6499
פָּרִ֔ים
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
7 of 17
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
הָֽאֶחָ֔ד
to each
H259
הָֽאֶחָ֔ד
to each
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
לִשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
of the thirteen
H7969
לִשְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
of the thirteen
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
9 of 17
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
עָשָׂר֙
H6240
עָשָׂר֙
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
10 of 17
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
פָּרִ֔ים
bullock
H6499
פָּרִ֔ים
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
11 of 17
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
הָֽאֵילִֽם׃
ram
H352
הָֽאֵילִֽם׃
ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
הָֽאֶחָ֔ד
to each
H259
הָֽאֶחָ֔ד
to each
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
Historical Context
The flour-oil mixture required extensive preparation by Levitical families. With thousands of pilgrims in Jerusalem (post-conquest), the temple courts bustled with activity. Priests worked in rotating divisions (mishmarot) to manage the sheer volume of offerings during the three pilgrimage feasts.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 70-bullocks-for-70-nations tradition shape understanding of Israel's priestly role among the nations?
- What does the feast's lavish generosity teach about worship that costs us something versus token religiosity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks—Each bullock received 3 esronim (6+ quarts) of fine flour with oil, totaling 39 esronim for all thirteen, plus 4 for the rams and 14 for the lambs—a massive 57 esronim (nearly 30 gallons) on day one alone. This abundance reflected harvest bounty and covenant generosity.
The number thirteen bullocks uniquely begins the descending pattern (13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7) over seven days, totaling 70 bullocks. Jewish tradition saw these 70 as atonement for the 70 Gentile nations (Genesis 10), Israel interceding for the world—fulfilled when Messiah brings 'a light to lighten the Gentiles' (Luke 2:32).