Numbers 28:28

KJV

And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

and their grain offering - fine flour mixed with olive oil, six quarts for each bull, four quarts for the one ram,

Berean Standard Bible

together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram,

American Standard Version

and their meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for each bullock, two tenth parts for the one ram,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:28 specifies the precise quantities of the grain offering (often translated as "meat offering" in older versions) that were to accompany the animal sacrifices during the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost. This verse details that three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, mingled with oil, were to be offered with each bullock, and two-tenths of an ephah with each ram, underscoring God's meticulous instructions for Israel's worship and the dedication of the firstfruits of the harvest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers chapters 28 and 29 form a distinct legislative unit within the book, providing a comprehensive and highly detailed calendar of required public offerings for the Israelite community. This section follows earlier narratives of Israel's wilderness wanderings and precedes the account of their entry into the Promised Land. The meticulous instructions for daily, weekly, monthly, and annual sacrifices (including those for various feasts like Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Booths) highlight God's desire for ordered, consistent, and precise worship. Numbers 28:28 specifically falls within the instructions for the Feast of Weeks, building upon the general sacrificial requirements outlined from [Numbers 28:1](/numbers/28-1 "Numbers 28:1 - Introduction to Offerings"). The preceding verses detail the animal sacrifices (bullocks, rams, lambs) for this feast, and Numbers 28:28 then specifies the accompanying grain offerings, emphasizing the integral nature of both blood and bloodless offerings in the Mosaic covenant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers were given to the Israelites during their forty-year wilderness journey, preparing them for life in the Promised Land. The sacrificial system was central to their covenant relationship with Yahweh, providing a means of atonement, thanksgiving, and communion. The "meat offering" (grain offering) was a common feature of ancient Near Eastern worship, symbolizing dedication of agricultural produce and sustenance. The "Feast of Weeks" (Shavuot), also known as Pentecost, was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, celebrated fifty days after Passover. It marked the completion of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest, making the grain offering particularly appropriate as an offering of firstfruits and thanksgiving for God's provision. Culturally, the precision of the measurements ("tenth deals") reflected an ordered society and the seriousness with which God's commands were to be followed, contrasting with the often more chaotic and less precise worship practices of surrounding pagan nations.

* **Key Themes:** Numbers 28:28 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Specification**, demonstrating that God dictates the terms of worship, leaving no detail to human discretion. This underscores His holiness and the reverence required in approaching Him. Secondly, the verse highlights **Obedience and Fidelity to the Covenant**, as Israel's well-being was directly tied to their adherence to God's laws, including these sacrificial rituals. Thirdly, it emphasizes **Provision and Thanksgiving**, particularly in the context of the Feast of Weeks, where the grain offering serves as a tangible expression of gratitude for God's bountiful harvest. This connects to broader themes of God's faithfulness to His people, as seen in His provision of manna in the wilderness ([Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Manna Provision")) and the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. Finally, the meticulous nature of the offering foreshadows the need for a perfect, complete sacrifice, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ, who perfectly embodies the dedication and offering required by God, as explored in [Hebrews 10](/hebrews/10 "Hebrews 10 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat offering (Hebrew, מִנְחָה, _minchah_):** In the KJV, "meat offering" is an archaic translation that can be misleading to modern readers, as it does not refer to animal flesh but to a bloodless offering, typically of grain. The Hebrew word _minchah_ generally means "gift," "tribute," or "offering." In the context of the sacrificial system, it specifically denotes a grain or meal offering, usually made of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, often accompanying a burnt offering. It symbolized dedication, thanksgiving, and the acknowledgment of God's provision and sovereignty over one's labor and sustenance.
* **Tenth deals (Hebrew, עִשָּׂרוֹן, _`issarown_):** This term refers to a specific unit of dry measure, literally "a tenth part." It is equivalent to an omer, which was approximately 2.2 liters or about 2 quarts. The precise specification of "three tenth deals" and "two tenth deals" underscores the meticulousness God required in the offerings, leaving no room for approximation or casualness in worship. This precision reflects the divine order and the value placed on exact obedience.
* **Mingled with oil (Hebrew, בָּלוּל בַּשֶּׁמֶן, _balul bashemen_):** The mixing of flour with oil was a standard component of grain offerings. Oil, particularly olive oil, was a precious commodity and often symbolized anointing, consecration, and the presence or influence of the Holy Spirit in biblical contexts. In the grain offering, it likely represented richness, sustenance, and perhaps the anointing of the offering itself, making it acceptable and fragrant to the Lord.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil":** This clause introduces the specific type of bloodless offering required. The "meat offering" (grain offering) was a fundamental component of Israelite worship, signifying the dedication of agricultural produce. The "flour mingled with oil" indicates a prepared, refined offering, emphasizing quality and intentionality. It was not raw grain but a processed product, representing human labor consecrated to God.
* **"three tenth deals unto one bullock":** This specifies the exact quantity of the grain offering to accompany each bullock offered during the Feast of Weeks. Three "tenth deals" (omers) of flour, mixed with oil, were required, demonstrating a precise ratio between the animal sacrifice and its accompanying grain offering. This proportionality underscores the structured and divinely ordained nature of the sacrificial system.
* **"two tenth deals unto one ram":** This further details the required quantity for a different animal sacrifice. For each ram, two "tenth deals" (omers) of flour, mingled with oil, were to be offered. The differing amounts for the bullock and the ram highlight the nuanced and specific nature of God's commands, where each element of the offering was carefully calibrated according to the type of sacrifice and the animal involved.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 28:28, and indeed throughout Numbers 28-29, is **Precision** and **Numerical Detail**. The text meticulously lists exact quantities ("three tenth deals," "two tenth deals") for specific offerings ("one bullock," "one ram"). This extreme numerical specificity serves to underscore the divine origin and authority of these laws. It leaves no room for ambiguity or human improvisation, emphasizing that worship must be conducted precisely as God commands. This precision also functions as a form of **Symbolism**, where the exactness of the offering reflects the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him. The very act of measuring and proportioning demonstrates an ordered cosmos and an ordered relationship between God and His people. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of such detailed instructions throughout these chapters reinforces the importance of these rituals to Israel's identity and covenant fidelity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:28, with its precise instructions for the grain offering, reinforces the profound theological truth that God demands and deserves worship that is intentional, complete, and offered according to His divine specifications. It highlights the principle that all aspects of life, including one's labor and sustenance (represented by the flour and oil), are to be consecrated to the Lord. This meticulousness underscores God's holiness and the seriousness of the covenant relationship, where even seemingly small details carry significant weight in expressing obedience and devotion. The grain offering, though bloodless, was an essential complement to the burnt offerings, symbolizing a holistic dedication—life (blood offering) and livelihood (grain offering)—to the Creator and Sustainer of all.

* [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - General Law of Grain Offering")
* [Leviticus 23:15-21](/leviticus/23-15 "Leviticus 23:15-21 - Feast of Weeks Instructions")
* [Hebrews 10:1-10](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-10 - The Insufficiency of Old Covenant Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the elaborate sacrificial system of the Old Testament has been fulfilled in the perfect and singular sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the underlying principles embedded in Numbers 28:28 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse challenges us to consider the intentionality and precision of our own worship and dedication to God. Just as the Israelites were called to offer their finest produce in exact measure, we are called to offer our "spiritual sacrifices" ([1_peter/2-5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones and Spiritual Sacrifices"))—our time, talents, resources, and very lives—with diligence, excellence, and a heart of obedience. It reminds us that our devotion should not be haphazard or half-hearted, but rather a thoughtful and complete offering of our best, acknowledging God as the source of all our provision and the ultimate recipient of our gratitude. The grain offering, tied to the harvest, also serves as a perpetual reminder to give thanks for God's material blessings and to acknowledge His sustaining hand in every aspect of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be offering God "leftovers" rather than my "best" or "firstfruits"?**
* **How can the principle of intentionality and precision in Old Testament worship inform my personal devotion and corporate worship today?**
* **What does the specific nature of these offerings teach me about God's character and His expectations for His people?**

### FAQ

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

Answer: In the King James Version, "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word _minchah_ (מִנְחָה). It does not refer to animal flesh or "meat" as we understand it today, but rather to a **grain offering** or **meal offering**. These offerings were typically made of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense, and sometimes baked. They were bloodless offerings, distinct from animal sacrifices, and symbolized thanksgiving, dedication, and the offering of the fruits of one's labor to God. The term "meat" in Old English referred to food in general, not specifically animal flesh.

**Why are the quantities of the offerings so specific ("three tenth deals," "two tenth deals")?**

Answer: The meticulous specification of quantities like "three tenth deals" (which is three-tenths of an ephah, or three omers) and "two tenth deals" underscores several key theological principles. Firstly, it highlights **divine precision and order** in worship. God is not arbitrary; He provides exact instructions because He is a God of order, and worship must reflect His holiness and specific commands. Secondly, it emphasizes **obedience and faithfulness** on the part of the Israelites. Deviating from these precise instructions would be an act of disobedience. Thirdly, it ensures **consistency and uniformity** in worship across the entire community, preventing individual interpretations or shortcuts. This precision also likely had practical implications for the tabernacle/temple priests in managing the offerings. It speaks to the seriousness of approaching God and the value He places on adherence to His revealed will, as seen throughout the Mosaic Law, such as in the detailed instructions for the tabernacle in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Tabernacle Instructions").

**What is the significance of this offering being part of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)?**

Answer: The Feast of Weeks (Shavuot in Hebrew, Pentecost in Greek) was a harvest festival, celebrated fifty days after Passover. It marked the completion of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest, signifying the giving of the firstfruits of the harvest to God. The grain offering, particularly one of flour, was therefore highly appropriate for this feast, serving as an act of **thanksgiving for God's provision** and a recognition that all sustenance comes from Him. The Feast of Weeks also commemorated the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, emphasizing the dual blessings of physical provision and spiritual guidance. In the New Testament, the Feast of Weeks takes on new significance as the day the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, marking the "firstfruits" of the church's harvest of souls ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:28, with its detailed prescription for the grain offering, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The "meat offering" (grain offering), made of fine flour and oil, was a bloodless offering symbolizing dedication and the offering of one's sustenance and labor to God. While it could not atone for sin, it was a vital component of Israel's worship, pointing to a perfect offering. Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect offering, not only as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") (fulfilling the blood sacrifices) but also as the embodiment of the grain offering. He is the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the perfect human offering whose life was lived in complete obedience and dedication to God, "mingled with oil" in the sense of being fully anointed by the Holy Spirit without measure ([John 3:34](/john/3-34 "John 3:34 - Spirit Without Measure")). His life, death, and resurrection represent the ultimate "firstfruits" offered to God ([1_corinthians/15-20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as Firstfruits")), a perfect dedication that pleases God fully. Furthermore, the context of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) where this offering was made, foreshadows the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost"), marking the "harvest" of souls for God's kingdom, a direct result of Christ's finished work. Thus, Christ fulfills both the type of the dedicated offering and the spiritual harvest associated with the feast.

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.