Numbers 15:4 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:4 mean?

Numbers 15:4 explains that when someone brings an offering to the LORD, they must also bring a grain offering made of a specific amount of flour mixed with a set amount of oil. This describes a required part of the ritual for presenting offerings in ancient Israel.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to properly make offerings. The focus is on the details: the person making the offering must include a "meat offering" (which actually means a grain offering, not animal meat) of one-tenth of an ephah of flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil. These measurements and ingredients were part of the standard worship practices at the time.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:4

• "Offering" (קָרְבָּן, qorban): This word means something brought near or presented, emphasizing that the offering is meant to draw the worshiper closer to God.
• "Meat offering" (מִנְחָה, minchah): Despite the English word "meat," this refers to a grain or cereal offering, not animal flesh. It highlights the agricultural basis of Israelite worship.
• "Deal" (עִשָּׂרוֹן, issaron): This is a specific measure, a tenth part, showing the precision expected in worship.
• "Hin" (הִין, hin): An ancient liquid measure, about 4 liters, so a quarter of a hin would be about 1 liter. This detail shows the care taken in preparing offerings.

Why Numbers 15:4 matters

• Numbers 15:4 clears up that a "meat offering" in the King James Version is actually a grain offering, not animal meat, which can be confusing to modern readers.
• The verse emphasizes that worship in ancient Israel involved specific, detailed instructions, showing the seriousness and orderliness expected in approaching God.
• This instruction fits into a larger section where God is teaching the Israelites how to live as His people, even after they have made mistakes, by giving them clear ways to maintain their relationship with Him.