Numbers 15:9

Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.

Then shall he bring {H7126} with a bullock {H1241}{H1121} a meat offering {H4503} of three {H7969} tenth deals {H6241} of flour {H5560} mingled {H1101} with half {H2677} an hin {H1969} of oil {H8081}.

there is to be presented with the bull a grain offering of one-and-a-half gallons of fine flour mixed with two quarts of olive oil.

present with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of olive oil.

then shall he offer with the bullock a meal-offering of three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with half a hin of oil:

Commentary

Numbers 15:9 KJV Commentary

Numbers 15:9: "Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil."

Context

Numbers chapter 15 details various laws concerning offerings and sacrifices, particularly those that would be observed once the Israelites entered the Promised Land. This chapter supplements earlier instructions found in books like Leviticus. Verses 1-16 specifically outline the accompanying grain and drink offerings (known as "meat offerings" and "drink offerings" in the KJV) that were to be presented alongside burnt offerings and peace offerings of various animals. Numbers 15:9 provides the specific quantities of flour and oil required for the "meat offering" when a bullock was presented as a sacrifice, emphasizing the detailed and precise nature of God's commands for worship in ancient Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Prescription and Order: The verse highlights God's meticulous and specific instructions for worship. Every element, quantity, and type of offering was divinely ordained, underscoring the importance of obedience in approaching God.
  • Completeness and Sufficiency: The prescribed offerings, including the accompanying grain and oil, ensured that the sacrifice was complete and presented according to God's standard, lacking nothing.
  • Worship and Devotion: These offerings were acts of worship, signifying the people's devotion, thanksgiving, and acknowledgment of God's provision and sovereignty.
  • Atonement and Fellowship: While the bullock itself might be for a burnt offering (complete devotion) or peace offering (fellowship), the accompanying grain offering represented a deeper commitment and sustenance, acknowledging God's role as provider.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Meat offering": The KJV term "meat offering" for the Hebrew word minchah (ืžึดื ึฐื—ึธื”) can be misleading to modern readers. It does not refer to animal flesh but rather to a "meal" or "grain" offering, typically made of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. This offering was a staple in Israelite worship, often accompanying animal sacrifices as an act of devotion and thanksgiving. Leviticus 2:1-16 provides extensive details on the grain offering.
  • "Three tenth deals of flour": This refers to three `issaron (ืขึดืฉึผื‚ึธืจึนืŸ), which is one-tenth of an ephah. An ephah was a dry measure, roughly equivalent to half a bushel, so three tenth deals would be about three omers of fine flour.
  • "Half an hin of oil": A hin (ื”ึดื™ืŸ) was a standard liquid measure in ancient Israel, approximately 3.6-6.1 liters. Thus, half a hin would be about 1.8-3.0 liters of oil. Oil was a valuable commodity, symbolizing anointing, light, and sustenance, and was often used in offerings.

Practical Application

While the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 10:10), the principles behind these detailed instructions remain relevant. This verse teaches us several enduring truths:

  • God Desires Intentional Worship: The precision demanded in these offerings reflects God's desire for worship that is intentional, thoughtful, and offered with care, not haphazardly. Our worship today, though not through animal sacrifices, should still be offered with reverence and according to God's revealed will.
  • Giving Our Best: The use of specific, often valuable, quantities of flour and oil underscores the principle of giving our best to God from what He has provided. This applies to our time, talents, and resources.
  • Obedience Matters: The emphasis on following instructions exactly highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands. It reminds us that true faith is demonstrated through our actions and adherence to His word (Deuteronomy 12:32).

Numbers 15:9, therefore, is not just a historical detail but a timeless reminder of God's character as a God of order, who desires complete and devoted worship from His people.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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 28:12

    And three tenth deals of flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;

  • Leviticus 14:10

    ยถ 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.

  • Leviticus 6:14

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

  • Numbers 29:6

    Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

  • Nehemiah 10:33

    For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy [things], and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and [for] all the work of the house of our God.

  • Ezekiel 42:13

    Then said he unto me, The north chambers [and] the south chambers, which [are] before the separate place, they [be] holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the LORD shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place [is] holy.
โ† Back