The Hebrew word ʻissârôwn, represented by H6241, is a fractional term meaning a tenth part or tenth deal. It is derived from the word for ten, ʻâsâr H6240. Occurring 28 times across 22 unique verses, its use is almost exclusively found in the context of prescribed measurements for sacrificial offerings.
In biblical law, H6241 is the standard measure for fine flour (çôleth, H5560) used in a meat offering (minchâh, H4503). These offerings were meticulously detailed, with the amount of ʻissârôwn directly corresponding to the animal being sacrificed. For a lamb (kebes, H3532), one tenth deal of flour was required Numbers 28:13. For a ram (ʼayil, H352), the amount increased to two tenth deals Numbers 15:6. For a bullock (par, H6499), three tenth deals were prescribed Numbers 15:9. This measurement was also central to special offerings, such as the wave (tᵉnûwphâh, H8573) loaves presented as firstfruits (bikkûwr, H1061), which were each made with two tenth deals of flour Leviticus 23:17.
Several related words clarify the context and function of the H6241:
- H5560 çôleth (fine flour): The specific substance measured by the ʻissârôwn. This was not coarse meal, but high-quality flour, suitable for offerings to the LORD Leviticus 2:1 and even described as food fit for a kingdom Ezekiel 16:13.
- H4503 minchâh (meat offering): The primary sacrificial occasion for using the ʻissârôwn. This was typically a bloodless, voluntary oblation or gift to God, often accompanying burnt offerings Numbers 15:4.
- H1969 hîyn (hin): A liquid measure often mentioned alongside the ʻissârôwn. While the ʻissârôwn measured the dry flour, the hin measured the accompanying oil (shemen, H8081) and wine (yayin, H3196) for the drink offering (neçek, H5262) Exodus 29:40.
The theological weight of H6241 is tied to the precise nature of worship under the Law.
- Divine Ordinance and Obedience: The specific, tiered measurements—one, two, or three tenth deals based on the animal—demonstrate that approaching God required strict adherence to His commands. Worship was not based on human sentiment but on divine instruction Numbers 28:20-21.
- Proportional Giving: The scaling measure of flour reflects a principle of proportional offering. The grain offering (minchâh, H4503) was to be appropriate for the primary sacrifice, linking the value of the herd to the fruit of the field Numbers 28:12.
- Atonement for All: The ʻissârôwn was part of the system of atonement (kâphar, H3722). Even a person who was poor (dal, H1800) and could only afford one lamb for a trespass offering was still required to bring one tenth deal of fine flour, ensuring their access to reconciliation Leviticus 14:21.
In summary, H6241 is more than just an archaic unit of measure. It represents a specific, divinely mandated "tenth deal" of fine flour used in Israel's sacrificial system. Its application in meat offerings (minchâh, H4503) was precise, scaling with the value of the accompanying animal sacrifice. The ʻissârôwn thus illustrates the principles of careful obedience, proportional giving, and the structured framework through which all Israelites, rich or poor (dal, H1800), were to approach a holy God.
TRV