Numbers 15:4

KJV

Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth [part] of an hin of oil.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall he that offereth {H7126} his offering {H7133} unto the LORD {H3068} bring {H7126} a meat offering {H4503} of a tenth deal {H6241} of flour {H5560} mingled {H1101} with the fourth {H7243} part of an hin {H1969} of oil {H8081}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the person bringing the offering is to present ADONAI with a grain offering consisting of two quarts of fine flour mixed with one quart of olive oil,

Berean Standard Bible

then the one presenting his offering to the LORD shall also present a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter hin of olive oil.

American Standard Version

then shall he that offereth his oblation offer unto Jehovah a meal-offering of a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mingled with the fourth part of a hin of oil:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 15:4 provides precise instructions for the grain offering, or "meat offering" as translated in the KJV, which was to accompany other sacrifices made to the LORD. This verse specifies the exact quantities of fine flour (a tenth deal) and olive oil (a fourth part of a hin) required for this offering, underscoring God's meticulousness in the prescribed worship of His people and the importance of offering from the produce of the land as an act of devotion and dependence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 15:4 is situated within a larger section of laws (Numbers 15:1-31) given to Israel concerning offerings and purification rituals, specifically for when they would enter and settle in the Promised Land. This chapter immediately follows the devastating account of Israel's rebellion at Kadesh-barnea and the subsequent divine judgment of forty years of wilderness wandering. Despite their profound failure and the severe consequences, God graciously renews and reiterates instructions for proper worship, demonstrating His enduring covenant faithfulness and His desire for communion with His people. The laws here, particularly those concerning accompanying offerings, complement and expand upon the foundational sacrificial system detailed in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Offerings"), providing practical guidance for their future life in the land of promise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers 15 were given during Israel's wilderness wanderings, a period of transition and formation. While they were not yet settled in the land, these laws prepared them for a future agricultural society where flour and oil were staple commodities. Offerings like the grain offering (minchah) were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, but Israel's system was unique in its divine origin and specific purpose: to express worship, atonement, thanksgiving, and dedication to the one true God. The precise measurements of flour and oil were not arbitrary but reflected a divinely ordained order and the expectation that worship involved a tangible, costly, and specific presentation of the worshipper's sustenance, acknowledging God as the ultimate provider of all agricultural bounty and daily bread.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Specificity and Holiness in Worship**, emphasizing that God's worship is not left to human discretion but is governed by precise divine commands, demanding reverence and obedience. This meticulousness is seen throughout the instructions for the tabernacle and its rituals, as in [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern for the Tabernacle"). Secondly, it reinforces the **Completeness and Wholeness of Offering**. The grain offering, though bloodless, was often an essential accompaniment to burnt offerings and peace offerings, signifying that true worship involved not only atonement for sin (through blood) but also the dedication of one's daily life and sustenance to God, as detailed in [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - The Grain Offering"). Thirdly, the use of flour and oil underscores the theme of **Dependence and Provision**, reminding Israel that their very sustenance came from God's hand. Bringing these agricultural products as an offering was an act of thanksgiving and an acknowledgment of God's sovereign provision, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **meat offering (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** The KJV translation "meat offering" is an archaic term for "food offering" or "meal offering," and it does not refer to animal flesh as "meat" does in modern English. The Hebrew word _minchah_ (מִנְחָה) specifically denotes a grain offering or tribute. It was typically made of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, often presented uncooked or baked, and was a fundamental component of the Israelite sacrificial system, frequently accompanying burnt offerings and peace offerings. Its primary purpose was to express devotion, thanksgiving, and the dedication of one's labor and sustenance to the LORD.
* **tenth deal (Hebrew, _ʿissaron'_):** This term refers to one-tenth of an ephah (עֵיפָה), which was a standard dry measure in ancient Israel. An ephah was approximately 22 liters, making a "tenth deal" (or an omer) roughly 2.2 liters of flour. This precise measurement underscores the divine demand for exactness and order in worship, ensuring that the offering was not arbitrary but conformed to God's specific requirements.
* **hin (Hebrew, _hin'_):** A _hin_ (הִין) was an ancient Hebrew liquid measure, approximately 6.5 liters. Therefore, "the fourth part of a hin" would be about 1.6 liters of oil. Like the "tenth deal" of flour, this specific quantity emphasizes the meticulousness required in the preparation and presentation of offerings, reflecting the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him in worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD":** This clause establishes the context of the verse within the broader sacrificial system. It highlights the worshipper's initiative in bringing an offering, emphasizing a voluntary act of devotion and obedience. The recipient is explicitly "the LORD" (Yahweh), underscoring the divine nature and purpose of the offering.
* **"bring a meat offering":** This specifies the type of offering required. As discussed, this is the _minchah_ or grain offering, distinct from blood sacrifices but often complementing them. Its inclusion signifies that worship encompassed more than just atonement; it also involved the dedication of the fruits of one's labor and daily sustenance.
* **"of a tenth deal of flour":** This provides the exact quantity of the primary ingredient for the grain offering. The "tenth deal" (an omer) of fine flour represents a specific, divinely appointed portion, emphasizing precision and sufficiency. Fine flour symbolized the best quality, indicating that worshippers were to offer their finest to God.
* **"mingled with the fourth [part] of a hin of oil":** This details the second essential ingredient and its precise quantity. The flour was to be mixed with oil, which enriched the offering and also carried symbolic significance (e.g., anointing, light, prosperity). The specific measurement reinforces the theme of divine order and the non-negotiable nature of God's instructions for worship.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 15:4, and indeed throughout the legal sections of the Pentateuch, is **Precision** and **Specificity**. The meticulous detailing of quantities ("tenth deal," "fourth part of a hin") and ingredients ("flour," "oil") is not merely instructional but serves to underscore the absolute authority and holiness of God, demanding exact adherence in worship. This **Didactic** approach ensures clarity and leaves no room for human improvisation regarding sacred rituals. Furthermore, there is an element of **Symbolism** present, where the physical elements of flour (representing sustenance, labor, and the produce of the land) and oil (representing richness, anointing, and perhaps the Spirit's presence) are tangible representations of the worshipper's life and God's provision. The legalistic language itself, characteristic of covenant documents, functions as a form of **Covenant Stipulation**, outlining the terms of Israel's relationship with Yahweh and their expected conduct within that covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 15:4, with its precise instructions for the grain offering, profoundly illustrates God's demand for intentionality, order, and reverence in worship. It reveals that true devotion is not merely a matter of the heart but also involves concrete acts of obedience, offering from one's substance according to divine prescription. The grain offering, often accompanying blood sacrifices, teaches that while atonement for sin is foundational, worship also encompasses thanksgiving, dedication of one's daily life, and acknowledgment of God as the ultimate source of all provision. This holistic approach to worship, involving both the expiation of guilt and the presentation of one's labor and sustenance, highlights God's desire for a complete relationship with His people, where every aspect of life is offered back to Him.

* [Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1 - The Grain Offering")
* [Exodus 29:40](/exodus/29-40 "Exodus 29:40 - Daily Burnt Offering Accompaniments")
* [Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - Bringing the Whole Tithe")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the grain offering has passed away with the fulfillment of the Law in Christ, the enduring principles embedded in Numbers 15:4 remain profoundly relevant for contemporary believers. This verse calls us to a worship that is not casual or haphazard, but thoughtful, intentional, and offered with reverence and precision, reflecting the holiness of the God we serve. It challenges us to consider the quality of our offerings—not just in terms of material possessions, but also our time, talents, and affections. Just as the Israelites were to bring their "best" (fine flour) and in precise quantities, we are called to give our best to God, acknowledging that all we have ultimately comes from Him. Our lives, therefore, become a continuous "spiritual offering," a daily presentation of ourselves in gratitude and obedience, seeking to honor God in every detail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine specificity in Numbers 15:4 challenge our modern assumptions about the nature and practice of worship?**
* **In what practical ways can we ensure our "offerings" (our time, talents, resources, and even our daily tasks) are presented to God with intentionality and our "best" effort?**
* **Considering the symbolism of flour and oil, how can we offer our daily sustenance, labor, and the "richness" of our lives as spiritual sacrifices to the Lord today?**

### FAQ
**Why is it called a "meat offering" in the King James Version when it refers to flour and oil?**

Answer: The term "meat offering" in the King James Version (KJV) reflects an older usage of the word "meat," which in 17th-century English referred broadly to any food, not exclusively animal flesh. The original Hebrew word is _minchah_ (מִנְחָה), which specifically denotes a grain offering, meal offering, or tribute. This offering was typically made from fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense, and was a bloodless sacrifice, distinct from animal sacrifices. For example, [Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1 - The Grain Offering") clearly describes the _minchah_ as an offering of "fine flour." Modern translations often render it as "grain offering" or "meal offering" to avoid this linguistic confusion.

**What was the spiritual significance of flour and oil in the grain offering?**

Answer: Flour and oil held significant spiritual meaning within the Israelite sacrificial system. Flour, particularly "fine flour," symbolized the best of one's agricultural produce and, by extension, the fruit of one's labor and daily sustenance. Offering it acknowledged God as the ultimate provider of all life's necessities and was an act of thanksgiving and dedication of one's livelihood to Him. Oil, often olive oil, was a precious commodity and carried multiple symbolic layers. It represented richness, prosperity, and joy. It was also used for anointing, symbolizing consecration and the presence of the Holy Spirit (as seen in the anointing of priests and kings, e.g., [Exodus 30:25](/exodus/30-25 "Exodus 30:25 - Anointing Oil")). When mingled with flour, the oil bound the offering together and added to its value, symbolizing a life consecrated and enriched by God's blessing, offered back to Him in worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The precise grain offering of flour and oil in Numbers 15:4, while a shadow of things to come, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "fine flour," representing sustenance and the best of human labor, foreshadows Christ as the perfect "Bread of Life" who came down from heaven to give life to the world ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). He is the pure, unblemished offering, perfectly satisfying every divine requirement. The oil, often symbolic of the Holy Spirit, speaks to Christ's anointing by the Spirit without measure ([John 3:34](/john/3-34 "John 3:34 - Jesus Given the Spirit Without Measure")) and the Spirit poured out upon believers through Him. Unlike the repeated and partial offerings of the Old Covenant, Christ's singular sacrifice was perfect and complete, fulfilling all the Law's demands, including the spirit behind the grain offering of total dedication and perfect obedience ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Through His perfect life and atoning death, Jesus not only became the ultimate offering but also enables believers, through the Spirit, to present their own lives as "living sacrifices," holy and pleasing to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), thereby participating in the very perfection He embodied.

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

Exodus 29:40

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.

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.

Leviticus 2:1

¶ And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be [of] fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:

Leviticus 6:14

¶ And this [is] the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar.

Numbers 28:5

And a tenth [part] of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth [part] of an hin of beaten oil.

Numbers 28:8

And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer [it], a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Leviticus 14:10

¶ And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil.