Numbers 29:4

KJV

And one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:

KJV (with Strong's)

And one {H259} 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 male lambs.

American Standard Version

and one tenth part for every lamb of the seven lambs;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:4 precisely details the quantity of fine flour required for the grain offering accompanying each of the seven lambs sacrificed daily during the Feast of Tabernacles. This instruction is part of an extensive series of divine commands outlining Israel's sacrificial calendar, underscoring God's demand for meticulous adherence to prescribed worship rituals and highlighting the abundance of offerings presented during this significant annual festival. It reveals the divine character of order and holiness, which expects intentionality and precision in all acts of worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:4 is intricately woven into a highly detailed liturgical section (Numbers 28-29) that meticulously outlines the various offerings required for Israel's annual festivals and new moons, serving as a supplement to the regular daily sacrifices. Chapters 28 and 29 function as a comprehensive liturgical calendar, reiterating and expanding upon earlier instructions found in Leviticus regarding the sacrificial system. Specifically, Numbers 29 focuses on the elaborate offerings for the seventh month, which includes the solemn Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah, detailed in [Numbers 29:1-6](/numbers/29-1-6 "Numbers 29:1-6 - Offerings for the Feast of Trumpets")), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur, found in [Numbers 29:7-11](/numbers/29-7-11 "Numbers 29:7-11 - Offerings for the Day of Atonement")), and the joyous Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot, comprehensively described in [Numbers 29:12-38](/numbers/29-12-38 "Numbers 29:12-38 - Offerings for the Feast of Tabernacles")). Therefore, verse 4 provides a specific detail within the broader instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles, outlining the precise grain offering for the *first* day's lamb sacrifices, which then establishes a recurring pattern for the subsequent days of the festival. The meticulous nature of these commands underscores the paramount importance of precise obedience in Israel's worship life, ensuring that every aspect of their communal devotion was divinely ordained and not left to human discretion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Numbers 29 were delivered to the Israelites during their forty-year wilderness wanderings, serving as crucial preparation for their future life in the Promised Land. The sacrificial system was the very heart of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, functioning as the primary means of atonement, worship, and fellowship with a holy God. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three annual pilgrim festivals, celebrating God's bountiful provision during their wilderness journey and the ingathering of the harvest. It was a time of profound rejoicing and thanksgiving, during which the Israelites lived in temporary shelters (booths or tabernacles) to commemorate their nomadic past and God's unwavering faithfulness. The elaborate and numerous sacrifices prescribed for this festival, including the specific grain offerings mentioned in verse 4, vividly reflected the abundance of the harvest and the nation's deep gratitude and dependence on God for all sustenance. The precise measurements and types of offerings were critical for maintaining ritual purity and ensuring that worship was conducted according to divine standards, thereby distinguishing Israel's unique worship from the often chaotic, arbitrary, and idolatrous practices of surrounding pagan nations.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, situated within its broader context, contributes significantly to several foundational theological themes. Firstly, it powerfully highlights **Divine Precision and Order in Worship**. God's unwavering demand for exactness in every detail, from the quantity of flour for each lamb to the specific number of animals, emphasizes that worship is not a matter of human preference or improvisation but is to be performed precisely according to divine instruction. This theme is pervasive throughout the Pentateuch, prominently seen in the intricate construction of the Tabernacle ([Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25-31 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Construction Instructions")) and the detailed Levitical laws concerning offerings ([Leviticus/1-7](/leviticus/1-7 "Leviticus 1-7 - Laws of Sacrifice")). Secondly, the sheer volume and variety of offerings, particularly during the Feast of Tabernacles, underscore a profound theme of **Completeness and Abundance** in devotion. The numerous bulls, rams, lambs, and goats, along with their accompanying grain and drink offerings, symbolize a lavish and comprehensive offering to God, reflecting the fullness of their gratitude and the richness of God's blessings. Finally, these meticulously prescribed offerings reinforce the overarching theme of **Consecration and Holiness**. The regular, prescribed nature of the sacrifices served as a constant reminder of Israel's dependence on God's provision and forgiveness, maintaining their covenant relationship with a holy God and setting them apart as His consecrated people, echoing the foundational call to be holy because God Himself is holy ([Leviticus/19-2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **one (Hebrew, _ʼechâd'_):** This numeral (H259) from the root meaning "united" or "one" emphasizes the individuality of the prescribed offering. In the phrase "one tenth deal for one lamb," it highlights that the specified amount of flour was not a collective measure for all lambs but a distinct, proportional quantity for *each* individual lamb. This underscores the meticulous and individualized nature of God's requirements for worship, where every single component of the offering was precisely accounted for.
* **tenth deal (Hebrew, _ʻissârôwn'_):** This term (H6241) refers to a specific unit of measurement, literally "a tenth part." In the context of offerings, it denotes one-tenth of an ephah, typically of fine flour. The ephah was a standard dry measure, approximately 22 liters or 1/2 to 3/4 of a bushel. Thus, "one tenth deal" was a precise and relatively small quantity of flour, indicating the meticulous detail God required even for the accompanying grain offering (minchah) for each animal sacrifice. This precision underscores the divine demand for exactitude in all aspects of worship, leaving no room for approximation or human discretion.
* **lamb (Hebrew, _kebes'_):** This term (H3532) refers to a young male sheep, typically less than one year old, specifically chosen for sacrifice due to its purity and suitability for burnt offerings. The lamb was a common and significant sacrificial animal in Israelite worship, often symbolizing innocence and purity. The instruction here specifies that the "tenth deal" of flour was for "one lamb," emphasizing the individual proportion required for each animal, even when multiple lambs were offered. The repetition of "lambs" later in the verse ("throughout the seven lambs") reinforces the consistent application of this standard to every single animal in the offering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And one tenth deal for one lamb":** This clause precisely specifies the exact quantity of the grain offering (fine flour) that was to accompany each individual lamb offered as a burnt offering. The "tenth deal" (one-tenth of an ephah) was a standard measure for grain offerings, indicating a fixed proportion relative to the animal sacrifice. This highlights the precise and standardized nature of the Israelite sacrificial system, where every component of the offering was divinely ordained, leaving no room for arbitrary human additions or subtractions. It signifies God's demand for meticulous attention to detail in worship.
* **"throughout the seven lambs":** This phrase clarifies that the specified "one tenth deal" was required for *each* of the seven lambs that were to be offered daily during the Feast of Tabernacles. This repetition emphasizes the consistency and regularity of the offering. It signifies that the same meticulous standard applied to every single sacrifice within the larger group, reinforcing the theme of thoroughness, completeness, and unwavering obedience in their devotion to God during this significant annual festival. The cumulative effect of these daily, numerous, and precise offerings underscored the nation's profound gratitude and dedication.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 29:4 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Precision** is overtly evident in the specific measurements ("one tenth deal") and the clear enumeration ("one lamb," "seven lambs"), highlighting the divine insistence on exactitude in worship. This precision is not merely administrative but deeply theological, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and the non-negotiable necessity of human obedience to His revealed will. **Repetition** is subtly used by stating "one tenth deal for one lamb" and then clarifying "throughout the seven lambs," which implicitly repeats the requirement for each of the seven. This emphasizes the consistency and non-negotiability of the command, reinforcing the idea that every single offering must meet the divine standard. Furthermore, the detailed nature of the entire chapter, of which this verse is a part, functions as a form of **Legalistic Detail**, providing exhaustive instructions that leave no ambiguity, thereby reinforcing the covenantal obligations of Israel. This meticulous detailing also serves to underscore the **Symbolism** of the offerings themselves, where the quantity and type of sacrifice were not arbitrary but carried significant theological weight, representing dedication, atonement, and thanksgiving in a tangible, prescribed manner.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:4, though seemingly a minor detail of ritual, is profoundly theological in its implications. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over worship, demanding not only the act of sacrifice but also meticulous adherence to His prescribed methods. This divine precision reflects His holy character and the seriousness with which He views communion with His people. The consistent and abundant nature of the offerings, particularly during the joyous Feast of Tabernacles, points to a theology of generous and complete devotion, where Israel was called to give their best and acknowledge God's bountiful provision. The laws of sacrifice, including the specific grain offerings, were a constant reminder of Israel's dependence on God's grace for atonement and their ongoing need for consecration to maintain their covenant relationship.

* [Leviticus 2:1](/leviticus/2-1 "The Law of the Grain Offering")
* [Exodus 29:40](/exodus/29-40 "Daily Burnt Offering with Grain Offering")
* [Ezra 7:17](/ezra/7-17 "Offerings for the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, Numbers 29:4 offers enduring principles for believers today. The divine demand for precision and intentionality in ancient worship calls us to approach God with reverence, thoughtfulness, and sincerity in our contemporary worship. Our devotion, whether personal or corporate, should not be haphazard or half-hearted, but rather a deliberate and consecrated offering of ourselves. Just as the Israelites were called to give specific, measured offerings, we are invited to give God our best—our time, talents, resources, and affections—not merely what is convenient or leftover. This verse reminds us that true worship involves discipline and order, cultivating habits of prayer, diligent study of God's Word, and meaningful fellowship. It challenges us to reflect on the quality of our spiritual offerings and to consider whether our lives truly reflect a "tenth deal" of our finest, offered consistently and generously to the Lord who has given us everything. This precision in worship fosters a deeper understanding of God's holiness and our privilege to draw near to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be offering God less than my "one tenth deal" or a half-hearted devotion?**
* **How can I cultivate greater intentionality and precision in my personal and corporate worship practices, recognizing God's demand for our best?**
* **What practical steps can I take to offer God my "best" in terms of time, talents, and resources, reflecting a spirit of generous and disciplined devotion?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the "one tenth deal" in Israelite worship?**

Answer: The "one tenth deal" (Hebrew: *‘issaron*) was a precise measurement, specifically one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour, which served as the standard quantity for the grain offering (*minchah*) that typically accompanied animal sacrifices. Its profound significance lay in God's demand for meticulous detail and exactitude in Israelite worship. It underscored that every aspect of their offerings, down to the smallest component, was divinely prescribed and not left to human discretion. This precision reflected God's holy character and the seriousness with which He viewed their covenant relationship and acts of worship. It also ensured uniformity and order in the sacrificial system, emphasizing that all offerings were to be given according to His specific instructions, as seen in various regulations for grain offerings throughout the Pentateuch, such as in [Leviticus/2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Law of the Grain Offering"). This attention to detail was a tangible expression of reverence and obedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:4, with its emphasis on precise and consistent offerings, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the perfect and singular sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The "one tenth deal" for "one lamb" points forward to the meticulous fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in the person of Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Unlike the daily, repeated sacrifices of lambs and their accompanying grain offerings, which could never truly perfect the worshiper nor fully atone for sin ([Hebrews/10-1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")), Christ offered Himself "once for all" ([Hebrews/7-27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")), a flawless and complete sacrifice that perfectly satisfied God's righteous demands. His life and death were the ultimate "tenth deal"—a perfect offering of Himself, without blemish or spot ([1_peter/1-18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by the Blood of Christ")), fulfilling every shadow and type of the Old Testament sacrificial system. Through His finished work on the cross, believers are now able to approach God directly, not with animal sacrifices or grain offerings, but with spiritual sacrifices of praise and lives consecrated to Him, presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God ([Romans/12-1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")), in response to His perfect and complete offering.

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.