or עִשָּׂרֹן; from עֶשֶׂר; (fractional) a tenth part; tenth deal.
Transliteration:ʻissârôwn
Pronunciation:is-saw-rone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H6241 (ʻissârôwn), also rendered עִשָּׂרֹן, is derived from the root `{{H6235}}` (ʻeser), meaning "ten." Its fundamental meaning is "a tenth part" or "a tenth deal." This term specifically denotes a measured fractional quantity, almost exclusively referring to a tenth of an ephah (`{{H374}}`), a standard dry measure used for grain. It signifies a precise proportion, indicating a divinely mandated quantity rather than a general or approximate amount.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H6241 appears predominantly in the books of Leviticus and Numbers, where it is consistently used within the context of sacrificial laws and offerings. Its usage is highly specialized, referring almost exclusively to "a tenth part of an ephah" of fine flour, which constituted a vital component of various offerings.
Key contexts include:
* **Grain Offerings (Minchah):** ʻissârôwn is frequently prescribed as the specific amount of fine flour to accompany burnt offerings and sin offerings. For instance, [[Numbers 15:4]] specifies "a tenth deal of fine flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil" for a lamb. Similarly, [[Numbers 28:5]] dictates "a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering" for the daily burnt offering. This highlights the precise, non-negotiable nature of the required offering.
* **Consecration and Purification Rituals:** The term is found in rituals for cleansing, such as the purification of a leper, where specific quantities of fine flour were offered ([[Leviticus 14:10]], [[Leviticus 14:21]]). It also appears in the offerings associated with the Nazirite vow ([[Numbers 6:15]]).
* **Daily and Festival Offerings:** The ʻissârôwn was a standard measure for the continual burnt offering ([[Numbers 28:5]]), Sabbath offerings ([[Numbers 28:9]]), New Moon offerings ([[Numbers 28:13]]), and the numerous offerings associated with the annual festivals (e.g., Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles, as detailed in Numbers 28-29). The repetitive nature of these commands underscores the consistency and exactitude demanded in Israel's cultic worship.
The consistent application of H6241 across these diverse sacrificial contexts underscores the divine emphasis on order, precision, and adherence to prescribed measures in the worship of Yahweh. It was not merely a symbolic amount but a literal, measured quantity essential for the acceptability of the offering.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H6235}}` (ʻeser):** The numerical root "ten," from which H6241 is derived. This connection emphasizes the exact mathematical proportion inherent in the term.
* **`{{H4643}}` (maʿaśēr):** This word signifies "tithe" or "tenth," referring to the broader concept of giving a tenth of one's produce or income as an offering to God (e.g., [[Leviticus 27:30]], [[Deuteronomy 14:22]]). While H6241 specifies a *fractional unit of measure* (a tenth of an ephah) for specific offerings, `{{H4643}}` denotes the *act of tithing* or the *tithed portion itself* as a general obligation. They are conceptually linked by the idea of a "tenth" but distinct in their practical application.
* **`{{H374}}` ('êphâ):** The ephah, a dry measure, is almost invariably associated with H6241. The phrase "a tenth part of an ephah" (עִשָּׂרוֹן אֵיפָה) is the standard construction, highlighting that ʻissârôwn refers to a specific fraction of this particular unit of measure.
* **Offerings (e.g., `{{H7133}}` qorbān, `{{H4503}}` minḥâ):** H6241 is intrinsically linked to the broader system of offerings, particularly the grain offering (minḥâ), of which it was a constituent part. This places the term within the larger theological framework of Israel's worship and covenant relationship with God.
### Theological Significance
The meticulous use of H6241 in the Mosaic Law carries profound theological weight:
* **Divine Precision and Order:** The repeated command for "a tenth part" in offerings reveals God's demand for exactitude and order in worship. It demonstrates that the means of approaching a holy God are not left to human estimation but are divinely prescribed. This reflects God's own perfect order and His establishment of a structured means for humanity to engage with Him.
* **Obedience and Faithfulness:** Adhering to the specific quantities, including the ʻissârôwn, was a direct act of obedience to God's commandments. It was a tangible demonstration of the Israelites' faithfulness in fulfilling their covenant obligations, signifying their submission to divine authority.
* **Holiness and Acceptability:** The precise measures ensured that the offerings were acceptable and met the divine standards for holiness. The offerings, including their exact components, were the means by which the people could maintain their consecrated status and approach a holy God without incurring His wrath.
* **Anticipation of Christ:** While the Old Testament sacrifices had a temporary and typological efficacy, their meticulous nature, including the precise ʻissârôwn, pointed to the absolute perfection required for true atonement. These detailed ritualistic measures highlighted the impossibility of human perfection and thus foreshadowed the singular, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His life of perfect obedience and His atoning death fulfilled the ultimate demands of God's holiness, superseding the need for these specific, measured Old Covenant rituals.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6241 (ʻissârôwn) designates "a tenth part," specifically "a tenth of an ephah," and is a term almost exclusively found within the cultic legislation of the Pentateuch. It denotes a precise, divinely mandated quantity of fine flour used as a crucial component in various grain offerings, daily sacrifices, and purification rituals. Its consistent usage underscores God's demand for meticulous precision, order, and faithful obedience in Israelite worship. Theologically, ʻissârôwn highlights divine sovereignty, the necessity of strict adherence to God's commands, and ultimately, points forward to the perfect fulfillment of all sacrificial requirements in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the complete and final sacrifice.
TRV