Numbers 29:10

KJV

A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:

KJV (with Strong's)

A several tenth deal {H6241} for 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 29:10 specifies the precise grain offering required for each of the seven lambs sacrificed daily during the Feast of Tabernacles, a seven-day harvest festival followed by a solemn assembly. This meticulous instruction, part of a broader section detailing Israel's annual festival offerings, underscores God's demand for exactitude and intentionality in worship, ensuring that every component of the sacrificial system contributed to a comprehensive act of national thanksgiving and dedication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:10 is situated within a lengthy legislative section (Numbers 28-29) that meticulously outlines the offerings for Israel's annual feasts. This chapter specifically details the sacrifices for the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Verse 10 falls within the instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles, which commenced on the fifteenth day of the seventh month and lasted for seven days, followed by an eighth-day solemn assembly. The preceding verses (Numbers 29:1-6) establish the offerings for the earlier feasts, while the subsequent verses (Numbers 29:12-34) expand on the daily, decreasing number of bullocks, but consistent rams and lambs, along with their accompanying grain and drink offerings, throughout the Feast of Tabernacles. This verse, therefore, is a specific detail within a larger, highly structured liturgical calendar, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Israel's worship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Numbers records Israel's journey through the wilderness, preparing them for life in the Promised Land. These detailed sacrificial laws, given at this juncture, were intended to establish a fixed liturgical calendar and a standardized form of worship for the nation once they settled. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) itself was a dual-purpose festival: it celebrated the autumn harvest, giving thanks to God for agricultural bounty, and it commemorated Israel's forty years of wandering in the wilderness, during which they lived in temporary shelters or booths (tabernacles). The offerings, including grain offerings, were an expression of gratitude for God's provision and faithfulness, both in the wilderness and in the promised land of abundance. In the ancient Near East, precise rituals were common, but Israel's system was unique in its divine origin and its connection to a covenant relationship, emphasizing obedience and holiness in the approach to God.

* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Precision in Worship:** The meticulous detail, down to the exact measure of grain for each lamb, highlights God's demand for order, intentionality, and obedience in approaching Him. This theme is pervasive throughout the sacrificial laws, emphasizing that worship is not arbitrary but must conform to God's revealed will, as seen in the instructions for the [continual burnt offering](/numbers/28-3 "Numbers 28:3 - The Continual Burnt Offering").
* **Covenant Obedience:** The detailed instructions underscore the importance of Israel's adherence to the terms of their covenant with Yahweh. Following these commands precisely was an act of faithfulness and a demonstration of their commitment to God, echoing the broader call to obedience found throughout the Pentateuch, such as in [Deuteronomy 11:13-15](/deuteronomy/11-13 "Deuteronomy 11:13-15 - Blessings for Obedience").
* **Thanksgiving and Provision:** The Feast of Tabernacles, as a harvest festival, inherently celebrated God's abundant provision. The numerous and varied offerings, including the grain offerings, were expressions of national gratitude for the fruits of the land and God's sustaining care, reflecting the themes of blessing found in passages like [Psalm 65:9-13](/psalm/65 "Psalm 65 - God's Provision and Goodness").
* **Symbolism of Offerings:** The grain offering, made of fine flour and oil, symbolized the dedication of the people's labor and the fruits of the land to God. It was often a voluntary offering of thanksgiving and devotion, complementing the animal sacrifices which addressed atonement and fellowship, as described in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Several tenth deal (Hebrew, _'issaron 'issaron'_):** This phrase literally translates to "a tenth, a tenth," a repetition that serves to emphasize the precise and individual nature of the measurement. An _'issaron_ (עִשָּׂרוֹן) refers to an omer, which is one-tenth of an ephah, a standard dry measure. This specific quantity of fine flour was the standard accompanying grain offering for a single lamb in many sacrificial contexts, highlighting the meticulous detail God required for each component of the worship.
* **Lamb (Hebrew, _keves'_):** A young male sheep, typically one year old, chosen for its purity and unblemished nature. Lambs were a common and significant animal for burnt offerings (olah), symbolizing complete dedication to God and often associated with atonement and fellowship. The consistent offering of lambs throughout the Feast of Tabernacles, each with its prescribed grain offering, underscored the ongoing and comprehensive nature of Israel's devotion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A several tenth deal":** This clause specifies the exact quantity of fine flour required for the grain offering. The repetition in the original Hebrew underscores that this precise measure (an omer) is not a collective amount for all lambs, but an individual portion. It signifies the meticulous attention to detail demanded by God in the sacrificial system.
* **"for one lamb":** This clarifies the unit of application for the "several tenth deal." It explicitly states that the specified amount of grain offering is to accompany each single lamb, not a group of lambs. This precision ensured uniformity and adherence to the divine blueprint for every individual sacrifice.
* **"throughout the seven lambs":** This phrase indicates the scope of the instruction. It means that the ratio of "a several tenth deal" for "one lamb" applies consistently to each of the seven lambs that were offered daily during the Feast of Tabernacles. This highlights the repetitive and consistent nature of the elaborate daily sacrifices during this week-long festival, underscoring the sustained act of worship and thanksgiving.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 29:10, and indeed throughout Numbers 28-29, is **Enumeration** and **Specification**. The text meticulously lists and details every component of the various offerings, down to the precise quantities of animals, grain, and wine. This exhaustive enumeration serves to emphasize God's absolute sovereignty and His demand for exactitude in worship. The **Repetition** of "a tenth, a tenth" (Hebrew: _'issaron 'issaron'_) for "several tenth deal" is a specific form of emphasis, ensuring no ambiguity regarding the individual portion for each lamb. Furthermore, the entire sacrificial system, including the grain offering, functions as **Symbolism**, where the physical acts and materials represent deeper spiritual truths of dedication, thanksgiving, atonement, and fellowship between God and His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:10, with its emphasis on precise measurements for offerings, reveals a profound theological truth about God's character: He is a God of order, holiness, and intentionality. The meticulous instructions were not merely bureaucratic but served to instill in Israel a deep reverence for God and an understanding that their approach to Him must be on His terms, not their own. This precision underscored the seriousness of worship and the sacredness of the covenant relationship. While the specific ceremonial laws are no longer binding for New Covenant believers, the underlying principles of offering our best, worshipping with intentionality, and recognizing God's absolute worth remain eternally relevant. The grain offering, representing the fruits of labor, also connects to the broader theme of giving back to God from His provision, a principle that transcends dispensations.

* [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - The Law of the Grain Offering") - Details the composition and purpose of the grain offering, emphasizing its role as a "memorial portion" to the Lord.
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow") - Explains that the Old Covenant sacrifices, despite their precision and frequency, were only "a shadow of the good things to come," unable to perfectly cleanse sin.
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice") - Highlights that while precise sacrifices were commanded, God ultimately desires obedience and a heart devoted to Him more than mere ritualistic adherence.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous instructions for offerings in Numbers 29:10 might seem overly detailed to the modern reader, yet they carry profound implications for our contemporary understanding of worship and discipleship. This verse reminds us that God is not indifferent to how we approach Him; He desires intentionality, reverence, and a spirit of dedication in all that we do. Just as every "tenth deal" for each lamb was vital, so too are the seemingly small acts of obedience, faithfulness, and service in our daily lives. Our "offerings" today are not fine flour and animals, but our time, talents, resources, and, most importantly, our very lives presented as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). The Feast of Tabernacles was a celebration of God's provision, prompting gratitude. Similarly, our lives should be marked by a deep sense of thanksgiving for God's grace and abundant blessings, motivating us to give our best in every area.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine demand for precision in Old Testament worship inform our understanding of worship today, particularly regarding our intentionality and preparation?**
* **In what ways can we offer our "several tenth deal" – our meticulous attention and dedication – in our daily lives, whether in our work, relationships, or spiritual disciplines, as an act of worship to God?**
* **Considering the Feast of Tabernacles celebrated God's provision, how does a spirit of thanksgiving for God's blessings shape our approach to Him and our generosity towards others?**

### FAQ
**What is a "tenth deal" and why is it significant in the context of offerings?**

Answer: A "tenth deal" (Hebrew: _'issaron'_) refers to an omer, which is a specific dry measure equivalent to one-tenth of an ephah. This precise measurement of fine flour was a standard quantity for grain offerings that accompanied various animal sacrifices, particularly burnt offerings. Its significance lies in its emphasis on God's demand for meticulousness and order in worship. It ensured uniformity across all offerings and highlighted that every component, down to the smallest measure, was important in the eyes of God. It also symbolically represented the dedication of a portion of one's produce and labor back to the Lord, acknowledging His ultimate ownership and provision, as seen in the broader context of offerings in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Law of the Grain Offering").

**Why are the instructions for offerings so detailed in the book of Numbers?**

Answer: The extensive detail in the instructions for offerings in Numbers (and Leviticus) serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores God's absolute holiness and the seriousness of approaching Him; worship was not to be casual or arbitrary but conducted precisely according to His revealed will. Secondly, these detailed laws ensured uniformity and consistency in worship across all Israelite tribes, fostering national unity in their devotion to Yahweh. Thirdly, the meticulousness taught the Israelites obedience and dependence on God's commands, preparing them for a life of covenant faithfulness in the Promised Land. Finally, these precise rituals, though temporary, served as types and shadows, foreshadowing the perfect order and ultimate fulfillment found in God's redemptive plan through Christ, as explained in [Hebrews 9](/hebrews/9 "Hebrews 9 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:10, with its exacting requirements for the grain offering accompanying each lamb, points forward to the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, though divinely ordained and meticulously detailed, was inherently imperfect and temporary, requiring continuous, repetitive offerings because "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - Limitations of Old Covenant Sacrifices")). The "several tenth deal for one lamb" symbolized a dedication of the fruits of the land and a partial atonement, but it could not fully cleanse the conscience. Jesus, however, is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His single, perfect sacrifice on the cross fulfilled and transcended all the Old Covenant types. He is the ultimate "grain offering," presenting Himself as the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), fully dedicated and pleasing to God. Through His one offering, He has "perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Therefore, the meticulousness of Numbers 29:10 foreshadows the divine precision and absolute perfection of Christ's finished work, which completely satisfies God's righteous demands and enables true, unhindered fellowship for all who believe in Him.

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.