And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

NUMBERS 15:10KJV
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Numbers 15:10 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:10 mean?

Numbers 15:10 instructs that half a hin of wine should be brought as a drink offering, to be poured out as part of an offering made by fire, which is described as having a pleasing aroma to the LORD. This verse is part of a set of instructions about how the Israelites were to present offerings to God in their worship.

In Numbers 15:10, God is speaking to Moses, who is then to relay these instructions to the people of Israel. The setting is the wilderness, as the Israelites are learning how to worship God properly through sacrifices and offerings. The verse specifies the amount of wine (half a hin, which is about 2 quarts or 2 liters) to be included with certain sacrifices, showing the careful detail given to worship practices.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:10

  • "hin" (הִין, hin): This is an ancient Hebrew measure of liquid, roughly equivalent to about 4 quarts (4 liters), so half a hin would be about 2 quarts (2 liters). Knowing the actual amount helps visualize the offering's size and value.
  • "wine" (יַיִן, yayin): The word refers to fermented grape juice, used here as a symbol of joy and abundance in the offering.
  • "sweet" (נִיחוֹחַ, nichoach) and "savour" (רֵיחַ, reyach): Together, these words describe the offering as having a "pleasing aroma" to the LORD, which is a way of saying that the offering is accepted and welcomed by God.

Why Numbers 15:10 matters

  • Numbers 15:10 clarifies that worship in ancient Israel involved not just animal sacrifices but also specific drink offerings, showing the multi-part nature of their rituals.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions exactly, down to the measurements and ingredients, highlighting the seriousness of approaching God in worship.
  • By describing the offering as a "sweet savour" to the LORD, the verse connects to a broader biblical theme that God delights in sincere, obedient worship.

Where else these words appear

“hin” Hebrew H1969 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:40 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.
  • Numbers 15:6 Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare for a meat offering two tenth deals of flour mingled with the third part of an hin of oil.
  • Ezekiel 4:11 Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink.

“sweet” Hebrew H5207 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Leviticus 6:21 In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Numbers 28:6 It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

“savour” Hebrew H7381 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Leviticus 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • Numbers 29:6 Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

“offering” Hebrew H5262 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • Numbers 28:31 Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering,(they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.
  • 2 Kings 16:15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.