Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil.

NUMBERS 15:4KJV
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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.

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 15:7 And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 4:11 Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink.

“deal” Hebrew H6241 · used in 22 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 15:9 Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.
  • Numbers 28:29 A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;

“mingled” Hebrew H1101 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
  • Numbers 7:13 And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  • Numbers 15:9 Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.

“flour” Hebrew H5560 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  • Numbers 6:15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.
  • Numbers 28:9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: