Numbers 28:29

KJV

A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;

KJV (with Strong's)

A several tenth deal {H6241} unto one {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 for every lamb of the seven lambs;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 28:29 is a precise instruction within the Mosaic Law, detailing the exact quantity of fine flour required for the grain offering accompanying each lamb sacrificed in the various public offerings. This verse, part of a larger section outlining daily, weekly, monthly, and annual festival sacrifices, underscores the divine demand for meticulous adherence and uniformity in Israelite worship, highlighting God's holiness and the seriousness with which His people were to approach Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Numbers 28-29, a highly detailed legislative section outlining the public offerings and sacrifices for the Israelite community. Following the census and preparations for entering the Promised Land in earlier chapters of Numbers, these instructions emphasize the importance of maintaining proper worship and covenant fidelity. Chapters 28 and 29 meticulously prescribe the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings for daily, Sabbath, New Moon, and all major annual festivals (Passover, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles). Numbers 28:29 specifically addresses the grain offering for the individual lambs within these larger sacrificial complexes, demonstrating the granular level of divine instruction for Israel's liturgical life. The repetition of these precise measurements across different festival instructions reinforces their critical importance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers 28-29 were given to Israel during their wilderness wanderings, preparing them for life in the Promised Land under the Mosaic Covenant established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai"). The sacrificial system, centered around the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), was the primary means by which Israel maintained fellowship with a holy God, atoned for sin, and expressed worship and thanksgiving. In the ancient Near East, sacrifices were common, but Israel's system was unique due to its divine origin, its monotheistic focus, and its emphasis on holiness and atonement rather than appeasement of multiple deities. The precision in measurements, such as the "tenth deal" of flour, ensured that offerings were not arbitrary but conformed to God's specific commands, distinguishing Israelite worship from pagan practices and emphasizing the sacredness of the covenant relationship.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 28:29 contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Precision and Order in Worship**. God's demand for exact quantities and specific procedures underscores His holiness and the seriousness of approaching Him. This meticulousness reflects the divine order that God desires for His people, contrasting with human approximations or innovations. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Completeness and Sufficiency of the Offerings**. The grain offering was not an optional add-on but an integral component of the burnt offering, symbolizing the dedication of the worshiper's produce and livelihood alongside their livestock. This holistic offering represented a full surrender to God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty over all aspects of life, as seen in other regulations for offerings in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering"). Finally, these detailed sacrificial laws, though seemingly burdensome, served as **Foreshadowing of Christ's Perfect Sacrifice**. The repeated and precise offerings pointed to the need for a perfect, singular atonement that would fully satisfy God's demands for holiness and justice, a theme extensively developed in the New Testament, particularly in the [Book of Hebrews](/hebrews/9 "Hebrews 9 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Several tenth deal (Hebrew, _‘issaron'_):** This term refers to one-tenth of an ephah, a standard dry measure in ancient Israel, equivalent to approximately 2.2 liters or about 2 quarts of fine flour. The word _‘issaron_ literally means "a tenth part." Its consistent prescription for the grain offering accompanying each lamb underscores the divine demand for exactness and uniformity in the sacrificial system, leaving no room for arbitrary measurement or personal discretion. This precise quantity was not merely functional but carried symbolic weight, representing a portion of the worshiper's produce consecrated to God.
* **Lamb (Hebrew, _keves'_):** This refers specifically to a male lamb, typically one year old, which was the most common animal prescribed for the burnt offering (olah) due to its purity, unblemished nature, and economic accessibility. The lamb served as a substitute for the worshiper, bearing the consequences of sin and symbolizing complete dedication to God through its total consumption on the altar. The repeated mention of "lamb" throughout the sacrificial instructions highlights its central role in the atonement process and as a symbol of innocence and purity.
* **Seven lambs (Hebrew, _shiv'ah kvasim'_):** The number seven in biblical numerology often signifies completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. In the context of Numbers 28-29, "seven lambs" frequently appears in the prescriptions for festival offerings (e.g., the daily burnt offering, New Moon, Passover, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Tabernacles), indicating a full and perfect offering. This repetition of seven lambs, each with its specified grain offering, emphasizes the comprehensive and divinely ordained nature of these communal sacrifices, signifying a complete act of worship and atonement on behalf of the entire community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A several tenth deal":** This phrase specifies the exact quantity of fine flour required for the grain offering. "Several" emphasizes that this specific amount is to be applied to each individual lamb, not as a collective sum. The "tenth deal" (one-tenth of an ephah) was a precise and standardized measurement, ensuring consistency and adherence to God's command across all sacrifices, regardless of who offered them. This highlights God's demand for order and meticulousness in worship.
* **"unto one lamb":** This clause clarifies that the "several tenth deal" of flour is the accompanying grain offering for a single lamb. It establishes a fixed ratio between the animal sacrifice and its complementary offering. This pairing of animal and grain offering was essential for the burnt offering, symbolizing a complete dedication of both life (animal) and livelihood (produce) to God, making the offering whole and acceptable.
* **"throughout the seven lambs;":** This final clause indicates that the prescribed "several tenth deal unto one lamb" is to be applied consistently to each of the "seven lambs" that are often offered together in various public sacrifices (e.g., daily burnt offerings, Sabbath, New Moon, and festival offerings). This repetition of the precise measurement for each of the seven lambs reinforces the theme of divine order, completeness, and the communal nature of these offerings, where every component of the sacrifice was to be perfectly executed according to God's will.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 28:29, and indeed throughout Numbers 28-29, is **Precision** and **Legalistic Detail**. The text offers an exhaustive, almost formulaic, enumeration of quantities and components for each sacrifice. This meticulousness is not merely for administrative clarity but serves a theological purpose, emphasizing the absolute holiness of God and the seriousness with which His commands, especially concerning worship, must be observed. The **Repetition** of these precise measurements across various festival instructions (e.g., the same "several tenth deal unto one lamb" for different occasions) further reinforces the divine imperative for exact obedience and uniformity in Israel's liturgical life. There is also an element of **Symbolism** present, where the lamb represents purity and atonement, the grain offering symbolizes sustenance and the fruits of labor, and the number seven signifies completeness and divine perfection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 28:29, with its emphasis on precise measurements for sacrificial offerings, deeply connects to the broader theological themes of God's holiness, the nature of sin, and the necessity of atonement. The meticulous detail underscores that approaching a holy God requires adherence to His revealed will, not human invention or approximation. It teaches that true worship is not casual but intentional, ordered, and offered with reverence. The grain offering, an integral part of the burnt offering, symbolized the worshiper's complete dedication of their life and livelihood to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision. This system, though temporary, served as a pedagogical tool, impressing upon Israel the gravity of sin and the cost of reconciliation, while simultaneously pointing forward to a more perfect and final sacrifice.

* [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - The Grain Offering Regulations")
* [Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38 "Exodus 29:38-42 - The Daily Burnt Offering")
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritualistic practices of Numbers 28:29 are no longer observed by believers today, having been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for contemporary Christian life and worship. This verse challenges us to consider the intentionality and precision with which we approach God. It reminds us that our worship, whether corporate or individual, should be thoughtful, prepared, and offered with reverence, not as an afterthought or a casual exercise. Just as God required Israel's "best" and in specific quantities, we are called to give our best—our time, talents, resources, and affections—to Him, not out of legalistic compulsion, but from a heart transformed by grace. It encourages us to pursue obedience to God's revealed will in the New Covenant, recognizing that true worship flows from a life submitted to His Word and Spirit, reflecting a desire to honor Him in every detail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail in Numbers 28:29 challenge my assumptions about casual versus intentional worship?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be offering God "less than my best," and how can I cultivate a spirit of greater dedication and precision in my service to Him?**
* **How does understanding God's demand for precision in the Old Testament deepen my appreciation for the completeness and perfection of Christ's sacrifice, which requires nothing more from me?**

### FAQ

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

Answer: God required such precise measurements and detailed instructions for several crucial reasons. Firstly, it underscored His absolute holiness and transcendence. Approaching a holy God was not to be taken lightly; it demanded exact adherence to His revealed will. Secondly, it fostered uniformity and order in worship throughout the Israelite community, ensuring that all offerings were presented in a consistent and acceptable manner. Thirdly, the meticulousness served as a constant reminder of the seriousness of sin and the costly nature of atonement, impressing upon the people that reconciliation with God was a divine initiative, not a human invention. Finally, this precision highlighted the perfect nature of the coming Messiah's sacrifice, which would perfectly fulfill all these requirements, leaving no detail unaddressed.

**What is a "tenth deal" and why was it significant?**

Answer: A "tenth deal" (Hebrew: _‘issaron_) was a specific ancient Israelite dry measure, equivalent to one-tenth of an ephah. An ephah was approximately 22 liters (about 20-25 quarts), so a "tenth deal" was roughly 2.2 liters or about 2 quarts of fine flour. Its significance lay in its prescribed use as the standard quantity for the grain offering that accompanied each animal sacrifice, particularly the burnt offering. This consistent measurement ensured that the grain offering, symbolizing the produce of the land and the worshiper's livelihood, was always offered in a divinely ordained proportion, emphasizing the completeness of the offering and the worshiper's dedication of both their life (represented by the animal) and their sustenance (represented by the grain) to God.

**Are these Old Testament sacrificial laws, including Numbers 28:29, still relevant for Christians today?**

Answer: While the ritualistic practices of the Old Testament sacrificial system are no longer practiced by Christians, having been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the underlying theological principles remain profoundly relevant. Numbers 28:29, for instance, teaches us about God's demand for intentionality, reverence, and obedience in worship. It underscores His holiness and the seriousness of our approach to Him. For believers, the relevance shifts from physical sacrifices to spiritual ones: offering our lives as living sacrifices ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), giving our best in service and resources ([2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "2 Corinthians 9:7 - Cheerful Giving")), and worshipping God in spirit and truth ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). The meticulousness of the Old Covenant laws serves to highlight the perfection and completeness of Christ's singular sacrifice, which fully atoned for sin once for all.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 28:29, with its meticulous details about the grain offering accompanying each lamb, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "lamb" in the Old Testament sacrificial system consistently pointed forward to the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). While the Old Covenant required countless lambs and precise measurements of flour, these were but shadows of the perfect, singular offering of Christ. His sacrifice on the cross was not merely an animal offering, but the offering of His own sinless life, a complete and sufficient atonement that perfectly satisfied God's righteous demands. The "several tenth deal" of flour, representing the produce and livelihood, finds its fulfillment in Christ as well, for in Him, we offer not just a portion, but our entire being, consecrated and made holy through His work. The repeated "seven lambs" signifying completeness and perfection are fully realized in Christ, whose "one sacrifice for sins has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). He is the true and final sacrifice, rendering all previous offerings obsolete and establishing a new and living way to approach God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God through 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.