Exodus 29:40

KJV

And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine [for] a drink offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

And with the one {H259} lamb {H3532} a tenth {H6241} deal of flour {H5560} mingled {H1101} with the fourth part {H7253} of an hin {H1969} of beaten {H3795} oil {H8081}; and the fourth part {H7243} of an hin {H1969} of wine {H3196} for a drink offering {H5262}.

Complete Jewish Bible

With the one lamb offer two quarts of finely ground flour mixed with one quart of oil from pressed olives; along with one quart of wine as a drink offering.

Berean Standard Bible

With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine.

American Standard Version

and with the one lamb a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil, and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink-offering.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 29:40 meticulously details the precise accompanying grain and drink offerings required for each daily lamb sacrifice, underscoring the comprehensive and exacting nature of the worship God mandated for the consecration of the priesthood and the perpetual sacrificial system of the Tabernacle. This verse highlights the divine expectation for Israel to present not only animal life but also the finest produce of the land, symbolizing a holistic dedication and an acknowledgment of God's sovereign provision within their covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral component of God's elaborate instructions to Moses concerning the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests and the establishment of the daily sacrificial system for the Tabernacle. The preceding verses, specifically [Exodus 29:38-39](/exodus/29-38-39 "Exodus 29:38-39 - The Daily Burnt Offering"), command the offering of two lambs daily—one in the morning and one in the evening—as a "continual burnt offering" (`olah tamid`). Verse 40 then specifies the essential supplements for these lamb offerings: a grain offering (flour mingled with oil) and a drink offering (wine). These additional elements were not optional but mandatory components, ensuring the completeness of the daily act of atonement, worship, and communion with God. The entire chapter, [Exodus 29](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - Consecration of Priests and Daily Sacrifice"), lays the foundational liturgical framework for Israel, emphasizing the necessity of a divinely prescribed order for approaching a holy God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Exodus 29 were delivered to Moses at Mount Sinai, preparing the Israelites for their journey through the wilderness and the establishment of their unique worship practices. While animal sacrifices were common in ancient Near Eastern religions, Israel's system was distinct due to its singular focus on Yahweh, its emphasis on holiness, and its direct divine origin. The specific measurements ("tenth deal" and "hin") were standard units of volume in ancient Israel, indicating the precise and non-negotiable nature of God's commands. The use of "beaten oil" (high-quality olive oil) and wine for drink offerings reflects the offering of the best of the land's produce, signifying purity, devotion, and the giving of one's finest resources to the Lord. These offerings were crucial for maintaining ritual purity and covenant fidelity within the community, serving as a constant reminder of God's presence among His people and their dependence on His grace and provision, as further detailed in later regulations such as those found in [Numbers 28](/numbers/28 "Numbers 28 - Daily and Festival Offerings").

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 29:40 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. It reinforces the theme of **Divine Prescription and Order**, demonstrating that access to God and acceptable worship are not left to human discretion but are meticulously defined by God Himself. The inclusion of grain and drink offerings alongside the animal sacrifice highlights the theme of **Holistic Worship**, emphasizing that devotion involves not only atonement for sin but also the dedication of one's material blessings and life itself. Furthermore, the daily, perpetual nature of these offerings underscores the theme of **Covenant Maintenance and Sustained Relationship**, signifying a continuous state of communion and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision. This verse also implicitly speaks to the theme of **God's Provision and Israel's Dependence**, as the offerings derive from the land God provides, offered back to Him in gratitude and recognition of His ultimate ownership.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **mingled (Hebrew, _bâlal'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to overflow (specifically with oil); by implication, to mix." In this context, it describes the precise act of combining the fine flour with the beaten oil. This mixing was not haphazard but a deliberate preparation, signifying the intentionality and care required in preparing offerings for God. It implies a thorough integration, ensuring the oil permeated the flour, making it a unified and complete offering.
* **hin (Hebrew, _hîyn'_):** A liquid measure, likely of Egyptian origin, equivalent to approximately 3.6 liters. The specification of "the fourth part of an hin" for both the oil and the wine underscores the exactitude of God's instructions. The use of precise, divinely ordained measurements highlights that worship was not to be casual or arbitrary but conducted according to specific, non-negotiable divine standards, reflecting God's perfect order and holiness.
* **drink offering (Hebrew, _neçek'_):** From a root meaning "to pour out," this term refers to a libation, typically involving the pouring out of wine or other liquids at the base of the altar. Unlike burnt offerings or sin offerings which involved the shedding of blood, the `nesek` was an act of devotion, dedication, and often joy, accompanying other sacrifices to complete the presentation. It symbolized the pouring out of one's life in worship and commitment to God, a complete and irreversible giving of oneself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil":** This clause specifies the components of the grain offering (or meal offering) that was to accompany each of the two daily lambs. The "tenth deal of flour" (an omer, approximately 2.2 liters) represents a staple food, symbolizing the sustenance and fruit of the land offered back to God. The flour was to be "mingled" (mixed thoroughly) with "the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil." "Beaten oil" refers to the purest, highest quality olive oil, obtained from olives that were gently pressed rather than crushed, signifying the offering of the very best. This combination of flour and oil formed a complete offering, representing the dedication of material blessings and the finest produce to the Lord.
* **"and the fourth part of an hin of wine [for] a drink offering":** This second clause details the liquid offering that completed the daily sacrifice. "The fourth part of an hin of wine" was to be poured out as a "drink offering." This act was a distinct and significant part of the worship, symbolizing devotion, consecration, and the complete giving of oneself to God. Unlike the burnt offering which ascended as smoke, the drink offering was absorbed into the ground, signifying a full and irreversible dedication. Together with the lamb and the grain offering, it formed a comprehensive act of worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty over all aspects of life and creation.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 29:40 masterfully employs **Metonymy** and **Symbolism** to convey profound theological truths. The specific measurements and ingredients—flour, oil, and wine—are not merely literal components but stand metonymically for the entirety of Israel's agricultural produce and, by extension, their livelihood, prosperity, and indeed, their very lives. Offering these elements signifies the dedication of their entire existence and absolute dependence on God's provision. Furthermore, each component is rich in **Symbolism**: the lamb symbolizes atonement and substitutionary sacrifice; the flour and oil symbolize sustenance, the fruit of labor, and the dedication of material blessings; and the wine, as a drink offering, symbolizes joy, covenant, and the pouring out of life in devotion. The meticulous detail in the divine instructions itself serves as a **Symbol** of God's holiness, order, and the absolute necessity of approaching Him on His terms, reflecting His precise and perfect nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 29:40, by detailing the precise accompanying offerings for the daily lamb, profoundly underscores the theological principle of holistic worship and the comprehensive nature of God's covenant demands. It teaches that true devotion involves not only atonement for sin but also the offering of one's resources, labor, and very life to God. The precision of the measurements and the quality of the ingredients (beaten oil, wine) emphasize the requirement for excellence, intentionality, and unreserved commitment in approaching the divine. This daily ritual maintained a perpetual state of communion and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision, signifying a sustained relationship between God and His people, where every aspect of life was to be consecrated to Him. This passage also foreshadows the complete and perfect offering that would one day fulfill these types.

* [Leviticus 2:1-16](/leviticus/2-1-16 "Leviticus 2:1-16 - The Grain Offering Regulations")
* [Numbers 15:1-10](/numbers/15-1-10 "Numbers 15:1-10 - Laws for Grain and Drink Offerings")
* [Philippians 4:18](/philippians/4-18 "Philippians 4:18 - A Fragrant Offering to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system, including the specific requirements of Exodus 29:40, has been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles of worship, intentionality, and holistic dedication remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse challenges us to consider the quality and comprehensiveness of our own spiritual offerings. Are we giving God our "beaten oil" – our best, purest efforts, resources, and time – or merely what is convenient or leftover? The daily nature of these ancient offerings encourages a consistent, disciplined walk with God, reminding us that our relationship with Him is not a sporadic event but a continuous journey of communion and obedience. It calls us to offer our entire lives as "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), integrating our faith into every aspect of our existence, from our daily work to our financial stewardship, our relationships, and our private moments of prayer and study. Our worship should be intentional, consistent, and holistic, reflecting a deep reverence for God's holiness and a grateful response to His boundless grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to offer God less than my "beaten oil" or "finest wine"?**
* **How can I cultivate a more consistent and intentional approach to my daily spiritual disciplines, mirroring the "continual" nature of the Tabernacle offerings?**
* **What does it mean for my worship to be "holistic," encompassing all aspects of my time, talents, and resources, rather than just a portion?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of these additional offerings (flour, oil, wine) alongside the lamb sacrifice?**

Answer: The additional offerings specified in [Exodus 29:40](/exodus/29-40 "Exodus 29:40 - Accompanying Offerings") served multiple crucial purposes. While the lamb provided atonement for sin through its blood, the flour (grain offering), oil, and wine (drink offering) completed the act of worship by symbolizing the dedication of the worshiper's life and the fruit of the land to God. They represented God's provision and the Israelite's grateful response, acknowledging His sovereignty over their sustenance and prosperity. These elements also added a dimension of thanksgiving, praise, and communion, transforming the sacrifice into a more comprehensive act of devotion. The precision in their quantities underscored the meticulousness required in approaching a holy God, emphasizing that worship was to be intentional, complete, and offered according to divine prescription, not human preference. These were not optional additions but integral components for a full and acceptable offering before the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 29:40, with its precise instructions for the accompanying grain and drink offerings, points profoundly to the all-sufficiency and comprehensive nature of Christ's perfect sacrifice. While the Old Testament system required a continual stream of offerings—lambs for atonement, flour and oil for sustenance, and wine for devotion—Jesus Christ fulfills all these types in His single, perfect offering. He is the ultimate [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") whose blood atones for sin once and for all, rendering the daily animal sacrifices obsolete ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's One-Time Sacrifice")). Furthermore, Christ is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), symbolizing the spiritual sustenance and nourishment that the grain offering anticipated. He provides true spiritual food and drink, enabling eternal life. The "beaten oil" and "wine" of the drink offering, symbolizing purity and the pouring out of life in devotion, find their ultimate expression in Christ's perfect obedience and His complete self-giving on the cross, where He poured out His life as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). Thus, in Christ, we find not just atonement, but also the fulfillment of all our spiritual needs and the perfect example of holistic devotion, making our worship in Him a complete and acceptable offering to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 2:17

Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

Isaiah 57:6

Among the smooth [stones] of the stream [is] thy portion; they, they [are] thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?

Leviticus 23:13

And the meat offering thereof [shall be] two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD [for] a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof [shall be] of wine, the fourth [part] of an hin.

Joel 2:14

Who knoweth [if] he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; [even] a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

Ezekiel 46:14

And thou shalt prepare a meat offering for it every morning, the sixth part of an ephah, and the third part of an hin of oil, to temper with the fine flour; a meat offering continually by a perpetual ordinance unto the LORD.

Ezekiel 45:17

And it shall be the prince's part [to give] burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.

Numbers 29:16

And one kid of the goats [for] a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.