And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;

NUMBERS 28:12KJV
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Numbers 28:12 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:12 mean?

Numbers 28:12 gives specific instructions for the grain offerings that were to accompany animal sacrifices: three tenths of an ephah of flour mixed with oil for each bull, and two tenths of an ephah of flour mixed with oil for each ram. These measurements and mixtures were part of the daily worship rituals God commanded the Israelites to follow.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving him detailed directions for Israel’s regular offerings at the tabernacle. The flour and oil offerings were presented alongside the animals, showing care and precision in worship. The exact amounts highlight the importance of following God’s instructions closely in the community’s relationship with Him.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:12

  • "Three" (שָׁלוֹשׁ, shalosh) and "two" (שְׁנַיִם, shenayim) are used here to specify the exact portions, emphasizing that worship was not left to guesswork but required careful attention.
  • "Tenth deals" (עִשָּׂרוֹן, issaron) refers to a specific measure, often understood as about a tenth of an ephah, making the offering precise and standardized.
  • "Flour" (סֹלֶת, solet) means fine flour, the best quality, showing that only the finest was to be given in offerings.
  • "Mingled" (בָּלוּל, balul) means mixed or blended, indicating that the oil (שֶׁמֶן, shemen) was to be thoroughly combined with the flour, not just poured on top, which made the offering richer and more valuable.

Why Numbers 28:12 matters

  • Numbers 28:12 shows that worship in ancient Israel was meant to be orderly and intentional, not random or careless.
  • The verse highlights that both animal and grain offerings were important, each with their own specific requirements, reflecting a holistic approach to worship.
  • By giving such detailed instructions, this verse connects to the larger passage emphasizing the seriousness and sacredness of approaching God according to His direction.

Where else these words appear

“deals” 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 15:6 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.
  • 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 15:6 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.

“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 28:5 And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil.

“bullock” Hebrew H6499 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Numbers 7:57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:33 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: