Numbers 29:9

KJV

And their meat offering [shall be of] flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, [and] two tenth deals to one ram,

KJV (with Strong's)

And their meat offering {H4503} shall be of flour {H5560} mingled {H1101} with oil {H8081}, three {H7969} tenth deals {H6241} to a bullock {H6499}, and two {H8147} tenth deals {H6241} to one {H259} ram {H352},

Complete Jewish Bible

with their grain offering, fine flour mixed with olive oil, six quarts for the bull, four quarts for the one ram,

Berean Standard Bible

together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram,

American Standard Version

and their meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for the bullock, two tenth parts for the one ram,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 29:9 meticulously details the precise quantities of fine flour, mingled with oil, required for the grain offerings that were to accompany the animal sacrifices of bullocks and rams during the Israelites' prescribed festivals, particularly the Feast of Tabernacles. This verse underscores the divine demand for exactitude and generosity in worship, ensuring that every aspect of the sacrificial system, from the animal to the accompanying meal, was offered according to God's holy standards.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 29:9 is nested within a detailed liturgical calendar provided in [Numbers 28-29](/numbers/28 "Numbers 28-29 - Israel's Festival Calendar"), which meticulously outlines the offerings for the annual festivals and new moons. This section serves as a supplement and expansion upon the general sacrificial laws established in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws of Offerings"). Specifically, [Numbers 29](/numbers/29 "Numbers 29 - Offerings for the Seventh Month Festivals") focuses on the elaborate sacrifices prescribed for the seventh month, a period rich with significant observances: the [Feast of Trumpets](/numbers/29-1 "Numbers 29:1 - Feast of Trumpets"), the [Day of Atonement](/numbers/29-7 "Numbers 29:7 - Day of Atonement"), and the [Feast of Tabernacles](/numbers/29-12 "Numbers 29:12 - Feast of Tabernacles"). Verse 9, though general in its phrasing, applies particularly to the grain offerings accompanying the bullocks and rams offered daily during the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, where the number of bullocks decreased each day but the accompanying grain offering per animal remained constant, emphasizing the meticulous and unchanging nature of God's requirements for worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The sacrificial system, as detailed in the Pentateuch, was central to ancient Israelite worship and their covenant relationship with Yahweh. These offerings were not merely rituals but tangible expressions of devotion, atonement, thanksgiving, and communion. The "meat offering" (more accurately, grain offering) was a common accompaniment to burnt offerings and peace offerings, symbolizing the fruit of the land and the worshiper's labor, offered back to God as a sign of dependence and gratitude. The precise measurements (e.g., "tenth deals") reflect the highly structured and regulated nature of Israelite cultic practice, distinguishing their worship from the often chaotic and arbitrary practices of surrounding pagan nations. The emphasis on purity, precision, and prescribed quantities underscored the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 29:9 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Meticulous Obedience**, demonstrating God's demand for exact adherence to His commands in worship, where every detail, from the type of offering to its precise quantity, held significance in approaching a holy God. This resonates with the broader theme of Israel's journey and their frequent failures in obedience, making these instructions all the more poignant. Secondly, the verse underscores **Generosity and Provision**, as the substantial quantities of flour and oil required for these communal offerings reflected the Israelites' commitment and reliance on God's abundant provision, returning a portion of their sustenance to Him. This connects to the theme of God's faithfulness in providing for His people in the wilderness. Finally, the specific nature of the grain offering (minchah) points to **Holiness and Consecration**, symbolizing dedication, gratitude, and the sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit (represented by the oil). These ritual acts were vital for maintaining the integrity of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, providing a framework for atonement, thanksgiving, and ongoing communion, as seen throughout [Numbers](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Book of Numbers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meat Offering (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** The KJV translation "meat offering" is an archaic term that can be misleading to modern readers. In the Hebrew Bible, _minchah_ (מִנְחָה) refers specifically to a "grain offering" or "meal offering," typically made of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense, and sometimes baked. Unlike animal sacrifices, the _minchah_ was usually a non-bloody offering, often symbolizing gratitude, dedication, and the fruit of human labor offered back to God. It frequently accompanied burnt offerings, as it does here, signifying a complete dedication of both life (animal) and sustenance (grain) to the Lord.
* **Tenth Deals (Hebrew, _issaron'_):** This term refers to a precise dry measure of flour. An _issaron_ (עִשָּׂרוֹן) literally means "a tenth," specifically a tenth of an ephah, which was a standard unit of measure for grain in ancient Israel, equivalent to an omer (approximately 2.2 liters or 2 quarts). The specification of "three tenth deals" and "two tenth deals" underscores the meticulousness required in the worship of God, ensuring exact quantities were offered for each type of animal sacrifice, reflecting divine order and the seriousness of the offering.
* **Mingled with Oil (Hebrew, _balul b'shemen'_):** The phrase "mingled with oil" (_balul b'shemen_) signifies that the fine flour was thoroughly mixed with olive oil, not merely sprinkled on top. Oil in biblical contexts often symbolizes consecration, anointing, provision, and the presence or influence of the Holy Spirit. Its inclusion in the grain offering suggests a sanctified offering, made holy and acceptable to God, and also represents the richness of God's provision and the worshiper's dedication of their best.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their meat offering [shall be of] flour mingled with oil":** This opening clause clarifies that the accompanying "meat offering" (grain offering) for the bullocks and rams is to consist of fine flour, thoroughly mixed with olive oil. This mixture was foundational to the grain offering, signifying both the staple of life (flour) and the element of consecration and divine presence (oil), offered as a complete and dedicated gift to Yahweh.
* **"three tenth deals to a bullock":** This specifies the exact quantity of flour and oil mixture required for each bullock offered. A "tenth deal" (issaron) was a precise measure, emphasizing the divine demand for accuracy and adherence to prescribed standards in worship. The larger quantity for the bullock reflects its greater size and significance as a sacrificial animal, often used for communal or more substantial offerings.
* **"[and] two tenth deals to one ram":** This clause provides the corresponding quantity for each ram. The ram, being a smaller animal than the bullock, required a proportionately smaller, yet still precise, amount of grain offering. This distinction highlights the detailed nature of God's instructions, ensuring that every aspect of the sacrificial system was meticulously regulated according to divine wisdom and order, leaving no room for arbitrary human invention in approaching a holy God.

#### Literary Devices
The precise and repetitive nature of the instructions in Numbers 29:9, particularly concerning measurements and quantities, employs **Legal Code** and **Didactic Repetition**. This structure emphasizes the divine authority behind the commands and the necessity of strict adherence. The meticulous detail serves a **Symbolic** function, where the "flour mingled with oil" represents not just physical sustenance but also the spiritual dedication and consecration of the worshiper, with the oil often symbolizing the Holy Spirit or divine anointing. The very act of specifying exact "tenth deals" creates a sense of **Order and Precision**, reflecting the character of a God who is sovereign, holy, and demands worship that is both reverent and perfectly executed, contrasting with the often chaotic and unmeasured practices of pagan religions. This precision also reinforces the theme of **Covenant Fidelity**, where adherence to these detailed laws was a tangible expression of Israel's commitment to their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 29:9, with its precise instructions for the grain offering, underscores profound theological truths about God's character and humanity's approach to Him. It reveals a God who is holy and demands worship that is not only sincere but also meticulously ordered and executed according to His divine will. The grain offering, often a freewill offering of gratitude and dedication, symbolizes the offering of one's labor, sustenance, and very life back to the Creator. The "flour mingled with oil" points to the consecration and sanctification required in approaching God, hinting at the anointing of the Spirit that makes worship acceptable. This verse, therefore, highlights themes of divine sovereignty, human responsibility in worship, the sacredness of covenant, and the principle that true devotion involves giving one's best, precisely as God commands. It sets a precedent for intentionality and generosity in all forms of spiritual offering.

* [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - Law of the Grain Offering")
* [Exodus 29:40](/exodus/29-40 "Exodus 29:40 - Grain Offering with Burnt Offering")
* [Philippians 4:18](/philippians/4-18 "Philippians 4:18 - A Fragrant Offering to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific rituals of the Old Testament sacrificial system have been fulfilled and superseded by the perfect and singular sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Numbers 29:9 still offers profound principles for contemporary believers. It calls us to consider the intentionality and reverence with which we approach God in worship. Just as the Israelites were commanded to offer precise and generous quantities, we are invited to offer our "spiritual sacrifices" (1 Peter 2:5) with thought, purpose, and our very best. This includes our time, talents, resources, and indeed, our entire lives, consecrated to God. The meticulousness of the law reminds us that God is not indifferent to how we worship; He desires worship that reflects His holiness and our sincere devotion. It challenges us to move beyond casual or perfunctory engagement, encouraging us to cultivate a heart of generosity and a spirit of excellence in all our acts of service and adoration, recognizing that our worship is a response to His abundant grace and provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of Old Testament offerings, like the one in Numbers 29:9, shape your understanding of God's holiness and His expectations for worship?**
* **In what ways can we, as New Covenant believers, apply the principle of "giving our best" and "intentionality" to our contemporary acts of worship, prayer, and service?**
* **Considering the symbolism of flour (sustenance) and oil (consecration/Spirit), what does it mean to offer your daily sustenance and your Spirit-led life as a "grain offering" to God?**

### FAQ
**What is the "meat offering" mentioned in Numbers 29:9?**

Answer: The term "meat offering" in the King James Version of Numbers 29:9 is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word _minchah_ (מִנְחָה), which is more accurately rendered as a "grain offering" or "meal offering." Unlike animal sacrifices, this offering did not involve animal flesh but was typically made of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense. It was a non-bloody offering, usually presented as an act of thanksgiving, dedication, or as a supplement to a burnt offering, symbolizing the fruit of the land and the worshiper's labor offered back to God. For more details on its nature, see [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Law of the Grain Offering").

**Why are such specific measurements ("three tenth deals," "two tenth deals") given for the offerings?**

Answer: The precise measurements, such as "three tenth deals" and "two tenth deals," underscore the meticulous nature of God's commands for Israelite worship. A "tenth deal" (Hebrew: _issaron_) was a specific dry measure, equivalent to a tenth of an ephah. These exact quantities highlight several principles: divine order and holiness, the seriousness with which God's commands were to be followed, and the importance of offering one's best in a prescribed manner. It ensured uniformity and prevented arbitrary worship, emphasizing that every detail mattered in approaching a holy God, as seen in the detailed instructions throughout [the sacrificial laws](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Laws of Sacrifices and Offerings").

**How does the "oil" in the grain offering contribute to its meaning?**

Answer: The inclusion of oil in the grain offering, described as "flour mingled with oil," carries significant symbolic weight. In biblical contexts, oil often represents consecration, anointing, provision, and the presence or influence of the Holy Spirit. When mingled with the flour, it signifies that the offering, and by extension the worshiper, is sanctified and made holy for God. It also points to God's abundant provision and the worshiper's dedication of their consecrated resources back to Him. This element of anointing and divine presence is a recurring theme, for example, in [Exodus 30:22-33](/exodus/30-22 "Exodus 30:22-33 - The Anointing Oil") concerning the anointing oil for the tabernacle and priests.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 29:9, with its detailed instructions for the grain offering, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "flour mingled with oil" prefigures Christ as the perfect, consecrated offering. He is the true "bread of life," the sustenance for our souls, as He declares in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"). Just as the flour was prepared and offered, Christ's body was prepared and offered once for all on the cross, a perfect and complete sacrifice that forever satisfies God's righteous demands, transcending the need for repeated Old Testament offerings ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice")). The oil, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, points to Jesus' unique anointing by the Spirit without measure ([John 3:34](/john/3-34 "John 3:34 - Jesus Given the Spirit Without Measure")) and His role as the Christ, the Anointed One. His life was a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")), embodying the dedication and gratitude that the grain offering merely foreshadowed. Through Him, believers are now empowered by the same Spirit to offer their lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), fulfilling the spirit of the Old Testament offerings in a new and greater covenant reality.

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.

Cross-References

Numbers 15:3

And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:

Numbers 15:12

According to the number that ye shall prepare, so shall ye do to every one according to their number.