Numbers 29:9
And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram,
Original Language Analysis
וּמִנְחָתָ֔ם
And their meat offering
H4503
וּמִנְחָתָ֔ם
And their meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
1 of 11
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
H1101
בְּלוּלָ֣ה
mingled
Strong's:
H1101
Word #:
3 of 11
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder
בַשָּׁ֑מֶן
with oil
H8081
בַשָּׁ֑מֶן
with oil
Strong's:
H8081
Word #:
4 of 11
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
three
H7969
שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
5 of 11
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
לַפָּ֔ר
to a bullock
H6499
לַפָּ֔ר
to a bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
7 of 11
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
Historical Context
Grain offerings date to Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) but were codified in Leviticus 2. Mingled with oil, never honey or leaven, they embodied purity. The specific measurements ensured uniformity in worship and equitable distribution among Aaronic priests who had no land inheritance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the grain offering's accompaniment to blood sacrifice illustrate that justification and sanctification are inseparable?
- What does the prohibition of leaven in grain offerings teach about the incompatibility of sin with worship?
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Analysis & Commentary
Their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil (מִנְחָתָם סֹלֶת בְּלוּלָה בַשָּׁמֶן)—The minchah accompanied burnt offerings, symbolizing daily bread consecrated to God. Fine flour (solet) represented refinement, while oil (shemen) symbolized the Holy Spirit's anointing.
Three tenth deals (three esronim, each roughly 2 quarts) for the bullock, two for the ram—the graduated amounts reflected each animal's size and value. This grain offering sustained the priests (Leviticus 6:14-18) while teaching that material provision comes from God's hand.