And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

NUMBERS 28:13KJV
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Numbers 28:13 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:13 mean?

Numbers 28:13 gives instructions for the grain offering that was to go with each lamb sacrificed as a burnt offering to the LORD. The verse specifies the amount of flour mixed with oil to be offered, describing it as a pleasing aroma and a sacrifice made by fire to God.

In this section, God is speaking to Moses, giving detailed commands for the daily offerings Israel was to bring at the tabernacle. Numbers 28:13 focuses on the portion of flour and oil (the "meat offering") that accompanied each lamb, emphasizing exact amounts and the purpose of the offering: to create a "sweet savour" or pleasing aroma to the LORD.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:13

  • "deal" (עִשָּׂרוֹן, ʿissaron): This word refers to a specific measure, often translated as a "tenth part" or "tenth deal," showing the precise amount of flour required for the offering.
  • "flour" (סֹלֶת, solet): This is fine wheat flour, highlighting the quality expected for offerings—only the best was to be given.
  • "mingled" (בָּלוּל, balul): This means "mixed," indicating that the flour was to be combined with oil, not offered dry, which added richness and value to the offering.
  • "sweet" (נִיחוֹחַ, nichoach) and "savour" (רֵיחַ, reyach): Together, these words describe the offering as a "pleasing aroma," a phrase used throughout the Old Testament to express that the sacrifice was acceptable and welcomed by God.

Why Numbers 28:13 matters

  • Numbers 28:13 clarifies that worship in ancient Israel involved careful attention to detail, not just in animal sacrifices but also in grain offerings, showing that every part of the ritual mattered.
  • The verse helps clear up that the "meat offering" in the King James Version is actually a grain offering, not animal flesh, which can be confusing to modern readers.
  • This instruction fits into a larger pattern in Numbers 28, where God gives a daily rhythm of worship, emphasizing regular, faithful devotion rather than occasional or spontaneous acts.

Where else these words appear

“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 15:6 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.

“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 28:2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.

“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.