Numbers 28:29

Commentary on Numbers 28:29

Numbers 28:29 reads, "A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;"

Context

This verse is part of a highly detailed section in the Book of Numbers (chapters 28-29) that outlines the specific instructions for the various public sacrifices and offerings required under the Mosaic Covenant. These chapters provide meticulous regulations for daily, weekly (Sabbath), monthly (New Moon), and annual festival offerings, such as the Passover, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and Feast of Tabernacles. Numbers 28:29 specifically details the precise quantity of the accompanying grain offering (also known as a meal offering) for each lamb in a particular sacrifice, emphasizing the exactness God required in Israelite worship.

Key Themes

• Divine Precision in Worship: The meticulous detail in this verse highlights God's demand for absolute precision and obedience in the prescribed worship of ancient Israel. Every aspect, from the type of animal to the exact quantity of grain and wine, was divinely ordained, underscoring the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him.
• Completeness of Sacrifice: The "several tenth deal" of fine flour was an essential component of the burnt offering, complementing the animal sacrifice and often accompanied by a drink offering (as mentioned in other verses like Numbers 28:7). This combination symbolized the worshiper's dedication of both their livestock and the produce of their land, representing a holistic offering of their livelihood to God.
• Foreshadowing Christ's Perfect Sacrifice: While these Old Testament sacrificial laws are no longer practiced today, they served as a shadow pointing to the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled all these requirements. His single offering on the cross made the elaborate system of animal and grain offerings obsolete for believers, providing a complete and final atonement for sin.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a several tenth deal" refers to one-tenth of an ephah, a standard dry measure in ancient Israel. The Hebrew term for "tenth deal" is 'issaron (עִשָּׂרוֹן), literally meaning "a tenth part." This specific measurement of fine flour was prescribed for each lamb offered as a burnt offering, ensuring uniformity and adherence to God's exact commands.

Practical Application

Though the ritualistic sacrifices of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind Numbers 28:29 remain relevant. This verse reminds believers today of the importance of:

• Intentional Worship: God desires worship that is thoughtful, prepared, and offered according to His revealed will, not arbitrarily.
• Giving Our Best: The precision in the offerings implies that God deserves our best, not just any offering. Our worship, service, and giving should reflect a heart that desires to honor Him completely.
• Obedience to God's Word: Just as the Israelites were to meticulously follow the Law, believers are called to obey God's commands as revealed in the New Covenant, recognizing that true worship flows from a obedient heart.