Numbers 28:21

KJV

A several tenth deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs:

KJV (with Strong's)

A several tenth deal {H6241} shalt thou offer {H6213} for every {H259} lamb {H3532}, throughout the seven {H7651} lambs {H3532}:

Complete Jewish Bible

and two quarts for each of the seven lambs;

Berean Standard Bible

and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs.

American Standard Version

a tenth part shalt thou offer for every lamb of the seven lambs;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:21 provides a precise instruction concerning the grain offering that was to accompany each of the seven lambs offered daily during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This verse, part of a larger section detailing festival sacrifices, underscores the meticulousness God required in the worship and sacrificial system of ancient Israel, emphasizing the exact quantities and components necessary for acceptable offerings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 28 and 29 constitute a detailed legislative section within the Book of Numbers, specifically outlining the offerings required for various annual festivals and holy days. These chapters serve as a comprehensive liturgical calendar, building upon earlier sacrificial laws found in Leviticus. Numbers 28:21 is embedded within the instructions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately follows Passover (see [Exodus 12:1](/exodus/12-1 "Exodus 12:1 - Institution of Passover")). During this seven-day festival, in addition to significant bullock and ram offerings, seven lambs of the first year were to be offered daily as a burnt offering. This particular verse specifies the precise grain accompaniment, "a several tenth deal," for *each* of those seven daily lambs, highlighting the granular detail of God's commands for Israel's worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The sacrificial system was the central expression of worship and atonement for ancient Israel, established by God at Mount Sinai. These elaborate rituals were performed by the Levitical priesthood at the tabernacle (and later the temple), serving as a constant reminder of God's holiness, humanity's sinfulness, and the need for divine provision for reconciliation. The "tenth deal" (one-tenth of an ephah) was a standardized dry measurement, indicating the Israelites' familiarity with precise agricultural measurements. The Feast of Unleavened Bread itself was an agricultural festival tied to the barley harvest, but it also commemorated the hasty departure from Egypt, when there was no time for bread to rise (see [Exodus 12:34](/exodus/12-34 "Exodus 12:34 - Israelites Leave Egypt Hastily")). The grain offering, often made from fine flour, represented the fruit of the land and human labor, symbolizing the people's grateful acknowledgment of God as the ultimate provider of sustenance and blessing.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous instructions in Numbers 28:21 contribute to several overarching themes in the Pentateuch. First, **Precision in Worship** is paramount; God's commands left no room for arbitrary or casual worship, demanding exactness and adherence to divine instruction. This detail underscored the sanctity of the divine-human encounter. Second, the concept of **Completeness and Sufficiency** is evident, as "a several tenth deal for every lamb" emphasized that each part of the sacrifice was to be perfectly complete and sufficient according to God's standard, not merely a general or approximate amount. Third, the detailed nature of these laws fostered **Obedience and Reverence** among the Israelites, teaching them that their worship was not a casual act but a solemn, prescribed expression of devotion and submission to their covenant Lord. Finally, the inclusion of the grain offering points to **God's Provision**, as the offering of the land's bounty acknowledged His role as the ultimate source of all blessings and sustenance, a theme echoed in other offerings throughout the law (e.g., [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Several tenth deal (Hebrew, _ʿissaron_):** This phrase translates the Hebrew term עִשָּׂרוֹן (_ʿissaron_), which literally means "a tenth part." In the context of dry measures, it specifically refers to one-tenth of an ephah (אֵיפָה), a standard unit of volume roughly equivalent to 2.2 liters or about half a bushel. The KJV's addition of "several" clarifies that this specific amount was distinctly designated for *each* lamb, not a collective amount for all seven, underscoring the individual precision required for every component of the offering.
* **Lamb (Hebrew, _keves_):** The Hebrew word כֶּבֶשׂ (_keves_) refers to a young male lamb, typically one year old. Lambs were a common and significant sacrificial animal in Israelite worship, often symbolizing purity and innocence. Their frequent appearance in daily and festival offerings, as seen here, highlights their central role in the sacrificial system, foreshadowing a greater Lamb to come.
* **Throughout the seven lambs (Hebrew, _shiv'at hakkevasim_):** This phrase emphasizes the daily repetition and the specific number of lambs offered during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The number seven often signifies completeness or perfection in biblical numerology. The instruction to offer a "several tenth deal" for each of these seven lambs underscores the consistent and complete nature of the required worship, day after day, for the entire duration of the festival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A several tenth deal shalt thou offer":** This clause specifies the exact quantity of fine flour required for the grain offering. The "tenth deal" (or _ʿissaron_) was a precise, divinely ordained measurement, leaving no ambiguity or room for human discretion in the amount. This highlights God's demand for exactness and adherence to His prescribed forms of worship, emphasizing that the offering was to be complete and sufficient according to His standard.
* **"for every lamb":** This phrase clarifies that the specified amount of grain was not a collective offering for the entire group of lambs, but rather an individual accompaniment for *each* of the seven lambs. This reinforces the principle of individual completeness and the meticulous nature of the sacrificial system, where each component of the offering had its specific, divinely appointed measure.
* **"throughout the seven lambs":** This final clause indicates the scope and duration of this specific instruction. It applies to the seven lambs that were to be offered daily during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (as detailed in Numbers 28:19). The repetition of the offering for each of the seven lambs, over the seven days of the festival, underscores the sustained and consistent obedience required of the Israelites in their worship.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 28:21 employs several literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Precision/Exactitude**, evident in the specific measurement "a several tenth deal" and the clear designation "for every lamb." This meticulous detail is not merely legalistic but serves to underscore the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him. The **Repetition** of "lambs" and the emphasis on "seven lambs" (which implies daily offerings over seven days) reinforces the sustained nature of the required worship and the consistent obedience God demanded. Furthermore, while not explicitly metaphorical, the verse participates in the broader **Symbolism** of the sacrificial system. The lamb symbolizes purity and atonement, while the grain offering (flour) symbolizes sustenance, the fruit of the land, and the dedication of human labor and provision back to God. The combination of these elements forms a complete and perfect offering, symbolically representing the worshiper's total dedication and God's comprehensive provision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:21, with its emphasis on precise and complete offerings, reveals profound theological truths about God's character and His relationship with His people. It demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty and His right to dictate the terms of worship, leaving no room for human innovation or approximation. The meticulousness ensures that the Israelites understood the gravity of approaching a holy God and the necessity of offering their very best, not merely leftovers or convenient amounts. This principle of giving one's best, with intentionality and reverence, transcends the specific Old Testament ritual and remains a timeless call to believers today in their spiritual walk and service.

* [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38 "Exodus 29:38-42 - Daily Burnt Offering")
* [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - The Grain Offering Regulations")
* [Malachi 1:6-8](/malachi/1-6 "Malachi 1:6-8 - God Rebukes Corrupt Offerings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific sacrificial rituals of the Old Testament have been fulfilled and superseded by Christ's perfect sacrifice, the underlying principles embedded in Numbers 28:21 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to intentionality and excellence in our worship and service to God. Just as the Israelites were to offer precise quantities and their very best, we are called to give God our best in every area of our lives—our time, talents, resources, and affections. Our worship, whether personal devotion or corporate gathering, should be characterized by thoughtfulness, reverence, and a sincere desire to honor God according to His revealed will, not our convenience or preferences. It reminds us that even seemingly small details in our obedience matter, as they reflect the depth of our love and trust in Him. Our lives are to be living sacrifices, offered completely and without reservation, in response to His immeasurable grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to offer God "leftovers" instead of my "best," and how can I cultivate a spirit of intentional excellence?**
* **How does the precision God required in Old Testament worship inform my understanding of reverence and discipline in my own spiritual practices today?**
* **What "spiritual sacrifices" (e.g., praise, service, obedience) am I called to offer, and am I doing so with the completeness and dedication exemplified in this verse?**
* **How does understanding God's detailed commands in the Old Testament deepen my appreciation for the simplicity and completeness of Christ's sacrifice?**

### FAQ

**What is a "tenth deal" and why was it important for these offerings?**

Answer: A "tenth deal" translates the Hebrew word _ʿissaron_ (עִשָּׂרוֹן), which refers to one-tenth of an ephah. An ephah was a standard dry measure in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about half a bushel. Therefore, a "tenth deal" was approximately 2.2 liters of fine flour. Its importance lay in the divine requirement for absolute precision in the sacrificial system. God specified exact quantities for offerings to emphasize His holiness and the seriousness of approaching Him. It ensured that the Israelites offered a complete and sufficient portion, not an arbitrary amount, reflecting their obedience and reverence for His commands. This meticulousness underscored that worship was not casual but a solemn, prescribed act of devotion.

**Why did God require such detailed instructions for the offerings?**

Answer: God required such detailed instructions for several profound reasons. Firstly, it underscored His absolute sovereignty and holiness, demonstrating that He alone dictates the terms of worship. This left no room for human innovation or approximation, ensuring that the Israelites understood the gravity of approaching a perfect God. Secondly, the precision taught the Israelites obedience and discipline, cultivating a deep reverence for divine authority. Every detail, no matter how small, was significant. Thirdly, these detailed commands served as a pedagogical tool, constantly reminding the people of their dependence on God, the need for atonement, and the importance of offering their very best. Finally, the meticulous nature of the Old Testament sacrificial system, including the specific quantities like the "tenth deal," foreshadowed the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would fulfill every requirement of the law (see [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:21, with its emphasis on the precise and complete offering of a "several tenth deal" for each lamb, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the daily lamb and grain offerings, served as a shadow pointing to the reality found in Christ (see [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Christ is the Substance")). The meticulousness required for each lamb's accompaniment foreshadows the perfection and sufficiency of Christ's single, once-for-all sacrifice. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose blood was shed not with "perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot" ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Precious Blood")). Just as the grain offering accompanied the lamb, symbolizing the dedication of life and provision, so Christ's perfect life and obedient sacrifice were a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering")). He perfectly fulfilled every requirement of the law, rendering all previous precise offerings obsolete by His complete and final work on the cross, establishing a new covenant where access to God is granted not by meticulous ritual but by faith in His finished work (see [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice Perfects Believers")).

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.