Numbers 28:12

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And three {H7969} tenth deals {H6241} of flour {H5560} for a meat offering {H4503}, mingled {H1101} with oil {H8081}, for one {H259} bullock {H6499}; and two {H8147} tenth {H6241} deals of flour {H5560} for a meat offering {H4503}, mingled {H1101} with oil {H8081}, for one {H259} ram {H352};

Complete Jewish Bible

with six quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for the one ram;

Berean Standard Bible

along with three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with the ram,

American Standard Version

and three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for each bullock; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for the one ram;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:12 meticulously details the precise quantities of flour required for the grain offerings (Hebrew: _minchah_) that were to accompany the animal sacrifices for the monthly New Moon celebration in ancient Israel. This verse, part of a larger section outlining the nation's liturgical calendar, underscores God's demand for absolute precision and adherence in the worship practices of His covenant people, revealing the divine order inherent in the Old Covenant sacrificial system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 28:12 is situated within a highly prescriptive section of the Book of Numbers, specifically chapters 28 and 29, which provide an exhaustive calendar of mandatory offerings and sacrifices. These chapters detail the daily, weekly (Sabbath), monthly (New Moon), and annual festival offerings, serving as a liturgical manual for Israel's worship. Verse 12 directly follows the command for the New Moon sacrifices in [Numbers 28:11](/numbers/28-11 "Numbers 28:11 - New Moon Sacrifices"), which specifies the animal offerings (two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs). Thus, verse 12 specifies the accompanying grain offerings for the bullock and ram, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's requirements for worship, where every animal sacrifice was to be accompanied by a specific grain and drink offering. This meticulous detail reinforces the idea that worship was not arbitrary but divinely ordained and structured.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The commands in Numbers were given to Israel during their wilderness wanderings, a foundational period for the establishment of their national and religious identity. The tabernacle, God's dwelling place among them, was the center of their worship, and the sacrificial system was the primary means of approaching God, maintaining holiness, and seeking atonement. The New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) was a significant monthly observance across the ancient Near East, often marked by special sacrifices and feasting, signifying the renewal of the lunar cycle and, for Israel, a regular opportunity for corporate worship and remembrance of God's covenant. The emphasis on specific quantities and ingredients reflects the common practice in ancient cultic rituals, but here, it is uniquely tied to the divine revelation given to Moses, distinguishing Israel's worship from pagan practices by its divine origin and purpose.
* **Key Themes:** The detailed regulations in Numbers 28:12 contribute to several overarching themes in the book and the Pentateuch. Firstly, **Divine Precision and Order** is paramount; the exact measurements ("three tenth deals," "two tenth deals") highlight God's demand for meticulous obedience in worship, leaving no room for human improvisation. This theme is echoed throughout the Law, emphasizing that God is a God of order, not chaos. Secondly, the verse illuminates the **Nature of Offerings** in the Old Covenant. The "meat offering" (Hebrew: _minchah_) was a grain or cereal offering, distinct from blood sacrifices, symbolizing dedication, sustenance, and the worshiper's provision offered back to God. It was typically an act of devotion and worship, representing a portion of the worshiper's livelihood, as seen in the broader regulations for grain offerings in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering"). Thirdly, while the grain offering itself was not for atonement, it was an integral part of a larger system designed to maintain Israel's **Holiness and Relationship with God**. The accompanying animal sacrifices addressed sin and made atonement, with the grain offering signifying the worshiper's commitment and gratitude within that atoning framework.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat offering (Hebrew, _minchah_):** In KJV, "meat" here means food in general, not animal flesh. The Hebrew word מִנְחָה (_minchah_) more accurately translates to "gift," "present," or "tribute." In the context of offerings, it specifically refers to a **grain offering** or **cereal offering**, typically made of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense. It was a voluntary offering, often accompanying burnt offerings, symbolizing devotion, gratitude, and the dedication of one's produce to God. It was a non-blood offering, distinct from sin or guilt offerings, though it was part of the overall sacrificial system that maintained covenant relationship.
* **Tenth deals (Hebrew, _ʿissaron_):** The term עִשָּׂרוֹן (_ʿissaron_) literally means "a tenth part." It refers to a tenth of an ephah, which was a standard dry measure in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 3.67 liters or about 4 quarts. The specification of "three tenth deals" and "two tenth deals" for the bullock and ram respectively, underscores the meticulous and non-negotiable nature of the divine instructions, ensuring uniformity and precision in the sacrificial worship.
* **Mingled with oil (Hebrew, _balul bashshemen_):** The phrase בָּלוּל בַּשֶּׁמֶן (_balul bashshemen_) means "mixed with oil." Oil, particularly olive oil, held significant symbolic meaning in ancient Israel. It was used for anointing priests and kings, for lighting the tabernacle lampstand, and in various offerings. In grain offerings, oil symbolized consecration, joy, prosperity, and potentially the presence or anointing of the Holy Spirit. Its inclusion signifies the dedication and sanctification of the offering to God, making it acceptable and complete according to divine command.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And three tenth deals of flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock;":** This clause specifies the precise quantity of fine flour – three-tenths of an ephah – required for the grain offering that was to accompany each bullock offered during the New Moon celebration. This flour was to be mixed with oil, indicating its consecrated nature and its role as a complete and acceptable offering to God, symbolizing the worshiper's dedication and provision.
* **"and two tenth deals of flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;":** This second clause similarly details the quantity of flour – two-tenths of an ephah – for the grain offering accompanying each ram. The consistency in the description ("for a meat offering, mingled with oil") reiterates the standardized and divinely ordained nature of these offerings, ensuring that every element of the sacrifice, from the animal to the accompanying grain, adhered to God's exact specifications.

#### Literary Devices
The language of Numbers 28:12, like much of the legal material in the Pentateuch, employs **Prescriptive Language**, issuing direct commands and detailed instructions for ritual practice. This highlights the authoritative nature of God's word and the non-negotiable character of the covenant requirements. The verse also exhibits **Repetition** in its structure, reiterating "flour [for] a meat offering, mingled with oil" for both the bullock and the ram. This repetition emphasizes the consistent and standardized nature of the offerings, reinforcing the divine order and the importance of meticulous adherence. Furthermore, the precise numerical specifications ("three tenth deals," "two tenth deals") serve as a form of **Symbolism** for divine order and perfection. The exactness in quantities underscores the idea that God demands specific, intentional, and complete worship, reflecting His own perfect and orderly character. This meticulous detail stands in contrast to haphazard or improvised worship, underscoring the sacredness of the cultic acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:12, with its meticulous instructions for grain offerings, profoundly illustrates God's character as one of order, holiness, and absolute sovereignty over worship. The precision demanded in these ancient rituals underscores the gravity of approaching a holy God and the necessity of doing so on His terms. The grain offering, while not atoning for sin, was an essential component of the sacrificial system, representing the worshiper's dedication, gratitude, and the offering of their sustenance back to the Creator. The inclusion of oil further highlights consecration and the divine blessing. The very specificity of these Old Covenant commands, however, also serves as a powerful theological pointer to the ultimate, perfect offering. The Law, with its detailed requirements, continually revealed humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill God's standards, thereby preparing the way for a greater, once-for-all sacrifice that would truly satisfy divine justice and enable true communion.

* [Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "The Law of the Grain Offering")
* [Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "The Law as a Shadow of Good Things to Come")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Living Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient command in Numbers 28:12, with its stringent requirements for offerings, might seem distant from modern Christian worship. However, it offers profound principles for contemporary believers. The meticulousness demanded by God for Old Covenant worship calls us to consider the intentionality and reverence with which we approach Him today. Our worship, whether corporate or individual, should not be haphazard or half-hearted, but offered with our very best, reflecting our understanding of God's holiness and our gratitude for His grace. While we no longer offer grain or animal sacrifices, the spirit of giving our "firstfruits" and dedicating our lives as an offering remains. This means offering our time, talents, resources, and even our daily activities as acts of worship, doing all to the glory of God. Understanding the detailed nature of the Old Covenant also deepens our appreciation for the simplicity and completeness of Christ's sacrifice, which fulfills all these requirements, allowing us to approach God with confidence and freedom, not through ritualistic precision, but through faith in His finished work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precision of Old Testament worship, as seen in Numbers 28:12, inform our approach to God today?**
* **In what ways can we offer our "best" to God in our modern context, beyond material possessions, reflecting the spirit of the grain offering?**
* **How does understanding the detailed Old Covenant laws deepen our appreciation for the simplicity and completeness of Christ's sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**What is a "meat offering" in the context of Numbers 28:12?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word _minchah_ (מִנְחָה). To a modern reader, "meat" implies animal flesh, but in older English, it simply meant "food" in general. In this biblical context, a "meat offering" is a **grain offering** or **cereal offering**, typically made from fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense. It was a non-blood sacrifice, distinct from animal sacrifices, and generally symbolized devotion, gratitude, and the dedication of one's produce or livelihood to God. It often accompanied burnt offerings, as it does here for the bullock and ram in the New Moon celebration, as described in [Numbers 28:11-15](/numbers/28-11 "Numbers 28:11-15 - New Moon Offerings").

**Why are the measurements for the flour so specific ("three tenth deals," "two tenth deals")?**

Answer: The highly specific measurements for the flour in Numbers 28:12 underscore several key theological principles. Firstly, they emphasize **divine precision and order**. God is not haphazard; His instructions for worship are exact, leaving no room for human improvisation or negligence. This ensured uniformity and consistency in Israel's worship across generations. Secondly, it highlights the **holiness of God** and the seriousness of approaching Him. Every aspect of the sacrificial system was divinely ordained to maintain the covenant relationship and Israel's purity. Thirdly, it speaks to the **principle of obedience**. God commanded specific actions and quantities, testing Israel's willingness to obey His every word. This meticulousness also served to distinguish Israel's worship from the often chaotic and arbitrary rituals of surrounding pagan nations, emphasizing that their worship was based on divine revelation, not human invention.

**What is the significance of the flour being "mingled with oil"?**

Answer: The instruction that the flour for the grain offering be "mingled with oil" carries significant symbolic weight. In ancient Israel, oil (typically olive oil) was a precious commodity with various uses, including anointing, fuel for lamps, and food. In the context of offerings, oil often symbolized **consecration** or **sanctification**, setting something apart for sacred use. It could also represent **joy, prosperity,** or the **presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit**. For the grain offering, mixing the flour with oil signified that the offering was made holy, acceptable to God, and perhaps imbued with divine blessing. It transformed the simple flour into a complete and consecrated offering, symbolizing the worshiper's dedication and the spiritual dimension of their gift to God. This practice is consistent with other grain offering regulations found in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Laws of the Grain Offering").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:12, with its detailed prescription for grain offerings accompanying animal sacrifices, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The meticulous precision demanded for these Old Covenant offerings, from the "three tenth deals" of flour to the "mingled with oil," foreshadows the absolute perfection and completeness of Christ's singular sacrifice. Just as the grain offering symbolized sustenance and dedication, Jesus declared Himself the "bread of life" in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offering Himself as the ultimate spiritual sustenance for humanity. The oil, symbolizing consecration and the Holy Spirit, points directly to Jesus, who was uniquely "anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power" ([Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Jesus Anointed by the Spirit")). His life was a perfect offering, consecrated by the Spirit, lived in full obedience to God. Moreover, while the grain offerings were non-atoning, they were inextricably linked to the atoning animal sacrifices. Christ, as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), perfectly fulfilled both the atoning blood sacrifices and the dedication symbolized by the grain offerings. His body, broken for us, and His life, offered in perfect obedience, constitute the one, sufficient, and eternal sacrifice that renders all Old Covenant offerings obsolete. Through Him, we are now able to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Living Sacrifices")), not through ritual, but through a life wholly dedicated to God, empowered by the very Spirit who anointed Christ.

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.