Numbers 29:10

Context

Numbers 29:10 is part of an extensive section in the book of Numbers detailing the specific offerings required for various annual festivals in ancient Israel. This particular verse falls within the instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a seven-day harvest festival followed by a solemn assembly on the eighth day. The preceding verses (Numbers 29:1-6) outline the offerings for the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement, while Numbers 29:7-11 focuses on the specific requirements for the Feast of Tabernacles. The context here is the daily burnt offerings during this festival, which involved a precise number of bullocks, rams, and lambs each day, in addition to the regular continual burnt offering.

The verse specifies the amount of grain offering (also known as a meal offering) to accompany each of the "seven lambs" sacrificed daily during the Feast of Tabernacles, as detailed from Numbers 29:12 onwards. This meticulous instruction underscores the divine demand for precision in worship.

Key Themes

• Divine Precision in Worship: The painstaking detail with which God prescribes the offerings, down to the exact measure of flour for each lamb, emphasizes the importance of obedience and intentionality in worship. It shows that God cares about how He is approached.
• Sacrifice and Dedication: The grain offering, often made of fine flour and oil, symbolized the fruits of the land and the dedication of the people's labor to God. It was a voluntary offering of thanksgiving and devotion, accompanying the animal sacrifices which dealt with atonement and fellowship.
• Abundance of Offerings: The sheer volume of sacrifices during the Feast of Tabernacles (which involved a decreasing number of bullocks daily, but consistent rams and lambs) highlights a period of national thanksgiving and fellowship with God, reflecting His abundant provision.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "A several tenth deal" translates the Hebrew `עִשָּׂרוֹן עִשָּׂרוֹן` ('issaron 'issaron), which literally means "a tenth, a tenth." This repetition emphasizes that one "tenth deal" (an omer, which is one-tenth of an ephah, a dry measure) was required for *each* individual lamb. This precise measurement, a standard for grain offerings accompanying burnt offerings, ensured consistency and adherence to the divine blueprint for sacrificial worship.

Practical Application

While the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind them remain relevant. This verse reminds believers today that:

1. God desires intentional and precise worship: Our service and devotion should not be haphazard but offered with care and a desire to honor God according to His revealed will.
2. Every act of devotion matters: Just as every "tenth deal" for each lamb was important, seemingly small acts of obedience and dedication contribute to our overall worship and relationship with God.
3. Generosity and thanksgiving are pleasing to God: The numerous offerings during the Feast of Tabernacles, including the grain offerings, reflect a heart of gratitude for God's provision and faithfulness. We are called to live lives of thanksgiving and generosity in response to His grace.