Numbers 15:5

KJV

And the fourth [part] of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the fourth {H7243} part of an hin {H1969} of wine {H3196} for a drink offering {H5262} shalt thou prepare {H6213} with the burnt offering {H5930} or sacrifice {H2077}, for one {H259} lamb {H3532}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and one quart of wine for the drink offering. This is what you are to prepare with the burnt offering or for each lamb sacrificed.

Berean Standard Bible

With the burnt offering or sacrifice of each lamb, you are to prepare a quarter hin of wine as a drink offering.

American Standard Version

and wine for the drink-offering, the fourth part of a hin, shalt thou prepare with the burnt-offering, or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 15:5 meticulously outlines a specific requirement within the Mosaic Law for the accompanying drink offering, detailing that a "fourth part of an hin of wine" was to be prepared alongside a burnt offering or sacrifice involving one lamb. This seemingly minor detail underscores God's demand for precise and comprehensive worship, emphasizing the meticulous nature of the Tabernacle rituals and the Israelites' complete dedication to their covenant Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 15:5 is situated within a broader section of supplementary laws (Numbers 15:1-16) given to the Israelites concerning offerings. While earlier books like Leviticus established the foundational animal sacrifices (burnt, peace, sin offerings), Numbers 15 expands upon these by specifying the accompanying grain offerings (meal offerings) and drink offerings (libations) that were to be presented *with* the animal sacrifices. This particular verse focuses on the exact quantity of wine required when the primary sacrifice was a single lamb, highlighting the meticulous detail God expected in their worship. The introductory phrase "When ye be come into the land of your habitations" (Numbers 15:2) indicates that these laws were not merely for their wilderness journey but were foundational for their settled life in Canaan, preparing them for a future of agricultural abundance and sustained worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers 15 were given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, yet they possess a forward-looking dimension, anticipating their entry into the Promised Land. The concept of a "hin" as a liquid measure (approximately 1 gallon or 3.7 liters) reflects the practicalities of ancient Israelite life and their system of weights and measures. Drink offerings, or libations, were common in the ancient Near East, often involving the pouring out of liquids (wine, oil, water) to deities. However, Israel's practice was distinct: it was exclusively for Yahweh, prescribed with divine precision, and integrated into a comprehensive system of worship centered on atonement and communion, differentiating it sharply from pagan rituals. The inclusion of wine as an offering also points to the agricultural nature of the land they were to inherit, where vineyards would flourish, symbolizing God's provision and the fruit of their labor being returned to Him.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, along with the broader chapter, contributes to several significant themes. Firstly, it emphasizes **Completeness in Worship**, demonstrating that God's instructions were holistic, requiring not just the primary animal sacrifice but also specific accompanying elements like grain and wine. This teaches that true worship involves offering all that God requires, leaving no part incomplete, and underscores the importance of [obedience and attention to divine detail](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice"). Secondly, the act of pouring out the drink offering symbolized **Dedication and Consecration**, representing a complete surrender and giving back to God from the fruit of the land, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty. Thirdly, the repeated phrase "When ye be come into the land" (e.g., [Numbers 15:2](/numbers/15-2 "Numbers 15:2 - When You Enter the Land")) highlights the **Anticipation of the Land**, indicating that these comprehensive offering laws were not just for the wilderness but for their settled life in Canaan, where agricultural products like wine would be abundant, signifying God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hin (Hebrew, _hîn_):** This term refers to a specific liquid measure in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 1 gallon or 3.7 liters. The specification of "the fourth part of an hin" (approximately 1 quart or 0.95 liters) for a single lamb underscores the divine demand for precision and exactness in worship. It highlights that God's instructions were not arbitrary but meticulously detailed, requiring careful adherence from His people.
* **drink offering (Hebrew, _nesek_):** Derived from the root meaning "to pour out," _nesek_ denotes a libation, an act of pouring out liquid before the Lord. This offering was distinct from other sacrifices in that it involved no burning or consumption by priests, but was entirely poured out onto the altar or ground, signifying complete dedication and surrender to God. It was an act of worship that visually represented a complete giving over of a valuable commodity.
* **lamb (Hebrew, _keves_):** A young male sheep, the lamb was a foundational and frequently used animal in Israelite sacrificial worship. Its significance spans from the Passover sacrifice (e.g., [Exodus 12:3](/exodus/12-3 "Exodus 12:3 - The Passover Lamb")) to the daily burnt offerings (e.g., [Numbers 28:3](/numbers/28-3 "Numbers 28:3 - Daily Burnt Offerings")). The lamb often symbolized innocence, purity, and substitutionary atonement, making it a fitting animal for offerings that sought to draw near to a holy God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the fourth [part] of an hin of wine":** This clause specifies the precise quantity of wine required for the drink offering. The exact measurement ("fourth part of an hin") demonstrates God's demand for meticulousness and order in worship. Wine, a product of the land, often symbolized joy and blessing, but here, in its act of being poured out, it signifies a complete dedication of these blessings back to the Giver.
* **"for a drink offering shalt thou prepare":** This phrase emphasizes the active and intentional nature of the offering. It was not a casual act but a prepared, deliberate pouring out of a valuable substance. The verb "prepare" (Hebrew, _asah_) implies making, doing, or performing, highlighting the responsibility and effort involved in fulfilling God's commands for worship.
* **"with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb":** This crucial detail clarifies that the drink offering was not a standalone ritual but an accompaniment. It was integral to, and inseparable from, the primary animal sacrifice. The mention of "burnt offering" (Hebrew, _olah_, signifying complete dedication as it was entirely consumed by fire) or a general "sacrifice" (often referring to a peace offering, which involved communion) indicates its broad applicability. The specific reference to "one lamb" highlights a common and foundational sacrificial unit, underscoring the routine and consistent nature of these comprehensive worship requirements.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 15:5, though a technical instruction, employs several literary devices. **Precision** is paramount, evident in the exact measurement ("fourth part of an hin") and the specific association with "one lamb." This meticulous detail underscores the divine order and the non-negotiable nature of God's commands. **Symbolism** is also at play: the wine, a product of the land and often associated with joy and sustenance, becomes a symbol of complete dedication when poured out. The act of "pouring out" itself is a powerful visual metaphor for surrender and giving one's all. Furthermore, the verse is part of a larger **Pattern** of laws in Numbers 15, which systematically outlines the accompanying offerings for various animal sacrifices, reinforcing the comprehensive and integrated nature of Israelite worship. This patterning creates a sense of divine completeness and thoroughness in God's instructions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 15:5 profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of order, holiness, and meticulous detail, who desires complete and intentional worship from His people. The requirement for a specific drink offering to accompany the animal sacrifices reveals that true devotion is not merely about the grand act, but also about the seemingly smaller, accompanying elements that complete the offering. This holistic approach to worship teaches that every aspect of our lives, from the significant to the mundane, can be an act of dedication to God. The pouring out of wine, a valuable commodity, symbolized a complete surrender and acknowledgement of God's sovereignty and provision. This Old Testament practice foreshadows the New Testament understanding of spiritual sacrifice and the giving of oneself entirely to God, reflecting a life lived in full devotion.

* [Philippians 2:17](/philippians/2-17 "Philippians 2:17 - Paul's Life as a Drink Offering")
* [Genesis 35:14](/genesis/35-14 "Genesis 35:14 - Jacob's Drink Offering")
* [Exodus 29:40](/exodus/29-40 "Exodus 29:40 - Daily Burnt Offering with Drink Offering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of offering wine as a drink offering is no longer practiced by believers today, the underlying principles of Numbers 15:5 remain profoundly relevant. This verse challenges us to consider the completeness and intentionality of our worship. God desires not just a portion of our lives, but our whole being—our time, talents, resources, and deepest affections—offered in dedication to Him. Just as the drink offering accompanied the primary animal sacrifice, our daily acts of obedience, service, and devotion should accompany and complete our declarations of faith. The meticulousness of God's instructions reminds us that genuine worship is not haphazard but thoughtful, prepared, and offered with precision and reverence. It calls us to examine whether we are holding back any "part" of our lives from God or if we are truly pouring out our all in response to His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulousness of God's instructions in Numbers 15:5 challenge our approach to worship and obedience today?**
* **In what ways can we offer a "drink offering" of complete dedication in our daily lives, even without the physical ritual?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of accompanying our primary acts of faith with consistent, seemingly "small" acts of devotion?**

### FAQ
**What is a "hin" and why is its precise measurement significant?**

Answer: A "hin" was an ancient Hebrew liquid measure, roughly equivalent to 1 gallon or 3.7 liters. Therefore, "the fourth part of an hin" would be approximately 1 quart or 0.95 liters. The precise measurement is highly significant because it underscores God's demand for exactness, order, and complete adherence in the worship prescribed for His people. It highlights that worship was not to be arbitrary or casual, but meticulously performed according to divine instruction, reflecting the holiness and sovereignty of God. This precision ensured uniformity and demonstrated the Israelites' obedience to every detail of the covenant.

**Were drink offerings common in the ancient world, and how did Israel's differ?**

Answer: Yes, libations or drink offerings were common in many ancient Near Eastern cultures, where liquids like wine, oil, or water were poured out to honor or appease various deities. However, Israel's drink offerings differed significantly. Unlike pagan practices that often involved appeasing multiple gods or engaging in divination, Israel's drink offerings were exclusively directed towards Yahweh, the one true God. They were part of a divinely ordained system of worship, prescribed with specific quantities and integrated with other sacrifices (like the burnt offering for one lamb in [Numbers 15:5](/numbers/15-5 "Numbers 15:5 - Drink Offering for a Lamb")). This distinction emphasized the uniqueness of Israel's covenant relationship with God and the purity of their worship, set apart from the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations.

**Does this law apply to Christians today?**

Answer: The literal application of the law in [Numbers 15:5](/numbers/15-5 "Numbers 15:5 - Drink Offering for a Lamb") does not apply to Christians today, as the Old Testament sacrificial system was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. However, the underlying principles remain vitally important. The meticulousness and completeness of the Old Testament offerings teach us about God's desire for holistic, intentional, and dedicated worship. While we no longer offer physical wine, we are called to offer our lives as "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), pouring out our time, talents, resources, and affections in service to God. The principle of giving our best and holding nothing back, as symbolized by the poured-out drink offering, is a timeless spiritual truth for believers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 15:5, with its precise instructions for the drink offering accompanying the lamb, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "one lamb" for which the offering was prepared foreshadows the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Just as the drink offering was poured out in complete dedication, Christ's life was perfectly "poured out" in His atoning sacrifice on the cross. His blood, shed for the new covenant, is the ultimate "drink offering" that completely satisfies God's righteous demands ([Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - Blood of the Covenant")). The meticulousness of the Old Testament laws, including the exact measurements and accompanying elements, underscores that salvation is not a casual matter but required a perfect, complete, and divinely orchestrated sacrifice. Christ, as our Great High Priest, perfectly fulfilled every requirement of the law, making one perfect sacrifice that forever perfected those who are being sanctified ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Therefore, our worship now is not through physical rituals but through Him, offering a "sacrifice of praise" that flows from a heart made right by His finished work ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering Praise Through Jesus")).

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

Numbers 28:14

And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third [part] of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth [part] of an hin unto a lamb: this [is] the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.

Numbers 28:7

And the drink offering thereof [shall be] the fourth [part] of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy [place] shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD [for] a drink offering.

Song Of Solomon 1:4

Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

Philippians 2:17

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

2 Timothy 4:6

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

Judges 9:13

And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Zechariah 9:17

For how great [is] his goodness, and how great [is] his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.