Numbers 28:20 (KJV)

What does Numbers 28:20 mean?

Numbers 28:20 gives instructions for a specific offering: the people are to bring a grain offering made of flour mixed with oil, with the amount depending on the animal being sacrificed—three tenths of a measure for a bull and two tenths for a ram. This verse is part of detailed directions for worship during a special festival.

Moses is relaying God’s commands to the Israelites about how to properly present offerings during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The verse specifies the exact portions of flour and oil to be used with each animal, showing the care and order expected in Israel’s worship practices.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:20

• "offering" (מִנְחָה, minchah): This word refers to a grain or meal offering, not an animal sacrifice. It highlights that worship included gifts from everyday produce, not just livestock.
• "flour" (סֹלֶת, solet): This means fine flour, the best quality, showing that the offering was to be made from something valuable and carefully prepared.
• "mingled" (בָּלוּל, balul): This word means mixed or blended, indicating that the oil was thoroughly combined with the flour, not just poured on top.
• "deals" (עִשָּׂרוֹן, issaron): This refers to a specific measure, about a tenth of an ephah, making the instructions precise and repeatable.

Why Numbers 28:20 matters

• Numbers 28:20 clears up that offerings were not just about animals but included carefully measured grain and oil, showing the importance of detail in worship.
• The verse emphasizes that different animals required different amounts of grain offering, underlining the orderliness and fairness in God’s instructions.
• This verse connects to the larger passage by showing how each part of the festival had its own requirements, helping the community remember and honor God with both their livestock and their crops.