Numbers 28:13

KJV

And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil [for] a meat offering unto one lamb; [for] a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And a several tenth deal {H6241} of flour {H5560} mingled {H1101} with oil {H8081} for a meat offering {H4503} unto one {H259} lamb {H3532}; for a burnt offering {H5930} of a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381}, a sacrifice made by fire {H801} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and two quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for each lamb. This will be the burnt offering giving a fragrant aroma, an offering made by fire for ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each lamb. This is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

American Standard Version

and a tenth part of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering unto every lamb; for a burnt-offering of a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:13 meticulously details the accompanying grain offering for each lamb sacrificed as a burnt offering during the monthly New Moon celebration. This specific instruction mandates "a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil" to be presented as a "meat offering" (grain offering), which, combined with the burnt offering, ascended as "a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD." The verse underscores the precise and comprehensive nature of Israelite worship, emphasizing complete dedication and divine acceptance of the prescribed offerings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 28 and 29 constitute a highly prescriptive section within the book of Numbers, detailing the comprehensive calendar of public sacrifices required under the Mosaic Law. Following the census of the Israelites and instructions for land distribution, these chapters shift focus to the nation's ongoing religious duties, emphasizing the continuous need for corporate worship and atonement. Numbers 28 specifically outlines the daily, weekly (Sabbath), and monthly (New Moon) offerings, with Numbers 28:11-15 dedicated to the New Moon sacrifice. Numbers 28:13, therefore, is an integral part of the detailed instructions for the grain offering that was to accompany the burnt offerings for this significant monthly observance, illustrating the meticulous nature of the Mosaic Law regarding acceptable worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The sacrificial system established at Mount Sinai was the cornerstone of Israelite religious life, serving as the divinely ordained means of atonement, worship, and communion with God. The New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) was a pivotal festival, marking the commencement of each new month in the lunar calendar. Its observance was signaled by the sighting of the new crescent moon and the blowing of trumpets, signifying a time of communal gathering, rest from ordinary labor, and special sacrifices. This monthly rhythm reinforced the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people, emphasizing remembrance and renewal. The offerings, including grain and oil, were not merely ritualistic but represented the bounty of the land and the dedication of the people's sustenance to God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 28:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes found throughout the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Prescription and Obedience**, underscoring God's meticulous demands for worship. Every detail, from the quantity of flour to its preparation and the type of offering, was precisely stipulated, emphasizing that acceptable worship is fundamentally obedient worship. Secondly, the phrase "a burnt offering of a sweet savour" points to **Divine Acceptance and Pleasure**, indicating that these prescribed acts of worship, when performed according to God's command, were pleasing and acceptable to Him. This theme of divine pleasure in offerings is echoed elsewhere, such as in [Genesis 8:21](/genesis/8-21 "Genesis 8:21 - Noah's Acceptable Offering"). Thirdly, the inclusion of the "meat offering" (grain offering) alongside the animal sacrifice illustrates the **Holistic Nature of Worship**, signifying that worship involved not only atonement for sin but also the dedication of one's produce and livelihood, reflecting the comprehensive nature of devotion outlined in the broader sacrificial system, particularly in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat offering (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** In the King James Version, "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word מִנְחָה (_minchah_), which refers specifically to a "grain offering" or "meal offering." Unlike animal sacrifices, the _minchah_ was typically made of flour, oil, and frankincense. It served as a gift or tribute to God, often accompanying animal sacrifices, symbolizing the dedication of the worshiper's sustenance, labor, and the fruits of the land to God. Its inclusion alongside the burnt offering underscored the comprehensive nature of worship, encompassing both atonement and thanksgiving.
* **Sweet savour (Hebrew, _reiach nichoach'_):** The phrase רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ (_reiach nichoach_) literally translates to "a soothing aroma," "a restful fragrance," or "a pleasing odor." This is a technical theological term used frequently in the Pentateuch to describe offerings that are acceptable to God. It signifies that the sacrifice has been presented according to divine command and has found favor in God's sight, indicating His divine pleasure and satisfaction with the act of worship. It implies that the offering has effectively achieved its intended purpose of reconciliation, dedication, or communion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil":** This clause specifies the exact quantity and preparation of the grain offering. A "tenth deal" (עִשָּׂרוֹן, _ʿissaron_) refers to one-tenth of an ephah, a standard dry measure in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 2.2 liters or 4 pounds of flour. The flour was to be "mingled with oil," indicating that olive oil was thoroughly mixed into the flour, not merely poured over it. This meticulous detail emphasizes God's demand for precision and exactness in the preparation and presentation of offerings, leaving no room for carelessness or improvisation in worship.
* **"[for] a meat offering unto one lamb; [for] a burnt offering":** This clarifies the specific context and purpose of the grain offering. It was a _minchah_ (grain offering) that was to accompany each individual lamb that formed part of the larger burnt offering. The primary offering being complemented was the _olah_ (burnt offering), which was entirely consumed by fire on the altar. This complete consumption symbolized total dedication, atonement, and the worshiper's complete surrender to God. The grain offering, therefore, was an essential complement, signifying the dedication of sustenance and life alongside the dedication of life itself (represented by the animal).
* **"of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.":** This final phrase describes the divine reception and nature of the offering. The "sweet savour" (_reiach nichoach_) signifies that the combined offering was pleasing and acceptable to God. The description "a sacrifice made by fire" (אִשֶּׁה, _ishsheh_) emphasizes that it was an offering consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing its transformation and ascent to God. The ultimate recipient of this entire act of worship was "unto the LORD," highlighting that Yahweh Himself was the object of this devotion, and His favor was sought through this divinely prescribed act.

#### Literary Devices
The passage primarily employs **Precise Specification** and **Repetition** to underscore the meticulous nature of divine command and the importance of exact obedience in worship. The specific quantities ("a several tenth deal") and the detailed preparation ("mingled with oil") are examples of precise specification, leaving no ambiguity regarding the requirements. The recurring phrase "sweet savour" (or similar expressions like "pleasing aroma" in other translations and throughout Numbers 28-29) functions as a **Leitmotif**, reinforcing the theological concept of divine acceptance and pleasure in obedient sacrifice. This repetition emphasizes that the efficacy and acceptability of the offering were contingent upon its adherence to God's commands. The entire section, as part of a larger legal corpus, also exemplifies **Legal Code** embedded within a narrative, demonstrating the prescriptive and covenantal nature of the relationship between God and Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous instructions for the New Moon offering in Numbers 28:13 reveal profound theological truths about God's character and the nature of acceptable worship. God is sovereign and holy, and therefore, His worship is not to be haphazard or self-devised but precisely ordered according to His divine will. The concept of a "sweet savour" signifies that obedient worship, offered with the prescribed elements and attitude, is not merely tolerated but actively pleasing to Him, reflecting His delight in His people's devotion. This recurring motif of an acceptable offering, rising as a pleasing aroma, points to a God who actively engages with and responds to the worship of His creation. It highlights that true worship transcends mere external ritual; it is an internal disposition expressed through obedient action, leading to divine favor and communion.

* [Genesis 8:21](/genesis/8-21 "Genesis 8:21 - Noah's Acceptable Offering")
* [Leviticus 1:9](/leviticus/1-9 "Leviticus 1:9 - Burnt Offering as Sweet Aroma")
* [Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific rituals of the Old Testament sacrificial system have been fulfilled and superseded by the singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the underlying principles of Numbers 28:13 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to consider the intentionality, excellence, and completeness with which we approach our spiritual worship. Just as God demanded precision and completeness in the physical offerings of ancient Israel, He desires our best in our spiritual sacrifices—our praise, our service, our obedience, our giving, and our very lives. Our worship is not merely a perfunctory act but a holistic dedication of our time, talents, resources, and entire being, offered with a heart of devotion and a spirit of obedience. When we offer ourselves in faith and according to His revealed will, our spiritual sacrifices become a "sweet savour" to God, demonstrating His continued delight in His redeemed people and fostering deeper communion with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to offer God less than your "best," and how can you cultivate greater intentionality?**
* **How does the concept of our spiritual worship being a "sweet savour" to God encourage or challenge your daily walk and acts of service?**
* **What does it mean for your entire life—your work, relationships, and leisure—to be a "sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD"?**

### FAQ
**What does "a several tenth deal of flour" mean?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "a several tenth deal of flour" refers to a specific, precise measurement of flour. The Hebrew term is _ʿissaron_ (עִשָּׂרוֹן), which means "a tenth part." It specifically denotes one-tenth of an ephah, a standard dry measure in ancient Israel. An ephah was approximately 22 liters (about 5.8 gallons), so a "tenth deal" would be roughly 2.2 liters of flour, or about 4 pounds. This precise measurement highlights the meticulousness required in the offerings, emphasizing that God's commands were to be followed exactly, not haphazardly, underscoring the importance of obedience in worship.

**Why is it called a "meat offering" when it's flour?**

Answer: The term "meat offering" in the King James Version (KJV) is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word _minchah_ (מִנְחָה). In 17th-century English, "meat" was a general term for food in general, not exclusively animal flesh. Therefore, a "meat offering" simply meant a "food offering" or "meal offering." Modern translations more accurately render _minchah_ as "grain offering" or "meal offering" to avoid confusion, as it was typically made of flour, oil, and frankincense, not animal meat. It was distinct from animal sacrifices but often accompanied them, symbolizing the dedication of the fruits of one's labor and sustenance to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:13, with its meticulous details of grain offerings accompanying burnt offerings as a "sweet savour" to the LORD, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The entire Old Testament sacrificial system, including the New Moon offerings, served as a prophetic shadow, pointing forward to the perfect and singular sacrifice of Christ. Just as the flour and oil were prepared and offered alongside the lamb, symbolizing purity and sustenance, Christ's perfect humanity and sinless life, represented by the grain offering's purity, were inextricably linked to His atoning death. His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate "burnt offering," entirely consumed and completely devoted, not for His own sin, but for the sins of humanity. This act was the supreme "sweet savour" to God, as [Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering") declares, "Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Unlike the repeated animal and grain offerings that could never fully take away sin ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Inadequacy of Old Covenant Sacrifices")), Christ's one-time offering perfected for all time those who are being sanctified ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's One Perfect Sacrifice")). Through Him, believers are now empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, service, and surrendered lives, which are made acceptable to God through the merits of His perfect, pleasing, and eternally effective sacrifice ([1_peter/2-5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Spiritual 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.