And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.

NUMBERS 15:7KJV
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Numbers 15:7 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:7 mean?

Numbers 15:7 instructs that a third of a hin of wine should be offered as a drink offering, creating a pleasing aroma for the LORD. This verse is part of the guidelines for offerings that the Israelites were to bring to God as acts of worship and obedience.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses, who is then to relay these instructions to the Israelites. The context is a set of detailed rules about how to present offerings, specifically what quantities and types of materials to use. The "drink offering" here refers to pouring out wine as part of a larger sacrificial ceremony, and the phrase "sweet savour" means the offering is considered pleasing or acceptable to God.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:7

  • הִין (hin, transliterated "hin") refers to an ancient Hebrew unit of liquid measure, roughly equivalent to about 3.8–6 liters. Specifying "a third part of a hin" gives a precise amount, showing the importance of careful obedience in worship.
  • יַיִן (yayin, transliterated "yayin") means "wine." Wine was a valued commodity, and its use in offerings highlights giving something significant to God.
  • רֵיחַ (reyach, transliterated "reyach") means "savour" or "aroma," and נִיחוֹחַ (nichoach, transliterated "nichoach") means "sweet" or "pleasing." Together, these words describe the offering as something that brings pleasure or satisfaction to the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH).

Why Numbers 15:7 matters

  • Numbers 15:7 clarifies that worship involved not just animal sacrifices but also offerings of wine, showing the variety and richness of Israelite worship practices.
  • The verse emphasizes that specific instructions and measurements were important in the Israelites’ relationship with God, reflecting order and reverence.
  • This instruction is part of a larger passage that underscores God’s desire for offerings to be given thoughtfully and in the right way, not just as empty rituals.

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.