Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations.

NUMBERS 15:21KJV
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Numbers 15:21 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:21 mean?

Numbers 15:21 commands the Israelites to give a portion of their first dough as a special offering to the LORD for all their future generations. This act is meant to be a regular practice, showing thankfulness and dedication to God with the first part of what they produce.

In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, giving instructions about offerings once they settle in the Promised Land. The focus is on giving from the "first" of their dough, meaning the initial portion of what they make from their grain, as a way to honor God. This command is part of a larger section about various offerings and serves as a reminder that everything they have ultimately comes from God.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:21

  • "first" (רֵאשִׁית, re'shith): This word means the beginning or the first part. Here, it emphasizes that the offering should come from the very start of what is produced, not leftovers.
  • "dough" (עֲרִסָּה, 'arissah): This refers specifically to the kneaded dough made from grain, not just raw grain. The instruction is about giving from what is ready to be used for bread, highlighting daily provision.
  • "offering" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This term means a lifted or heave offering, something set apart and given up to God. It signals that this portion is not for ordinary use but is dedicated to God.
  • "generations" (דּוֹר, dor): This word means throughout all descendants or ages, showing that this practice was to continue as a lasting tradition, not just a one-time act.

Why Numbers 15:21 matters

  • Numbers 15:21 clarifies that honoring God with the first part of daily provisions was not just for the wilderness period but was to continue in the land and for all future generations.
  • The verse highlights that even ordinary, everyday work like baking bread was to be connected to worship and gratitude toward God.
  • This command ties into a larger biblical theme of giving God the first and best, reinforcing the idea that all blessings ultimately come from Him.

Where else these words appear

“dough” Hebrew H6182 · used in 4 verses

  • Numbers 15:20 Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
  • Ezekiel 44:30 And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.

“first” Hebrew H7225 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • 1 Samuel 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

“offering” Hebrew H8641 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
  • Numbers 15:19 Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

“generations” Hebrew H1755 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
  • Numbers 15:23 Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;
  • Psalms 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?