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

NUMBERS 28:5KJV
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What does Numbers 28:5 mean?

Numbers 28:5 gives specific instructions for a grain offering to be presented alongside a daily sacrifice: one-tenth of an ephah of flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of beaten oil. This verse sets out the exact amount and ingredients required for this part of Israel’s regular worship.

In Numbers 28, God is speaking to Moses, giving him detailed commands for the daily offerings that the Israelites are to bring at the tabernacle. This verse focuses on the grain (or “meat”) offering, which was to be made with fine flour and oil, showing the importance of both precision and quality in Israel’s worship practices.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 28:5

  • אֵיפָה (ephah): An ephah was a standard measure for dry goods, roughly equivalent to about 22 liters or 5.8 gallons, so a tenth part would be a little over 2 liters. This helps the reader picture the actual amount being offered.
  • הִין (hin): A hin was a liquid measure, about 3.8 liters or 1 gallon, so a fourth part would be just under a liter. This clarifies how much oil was to be mixed with the flour.
  • דָּק (beaten, daq): The word for “beaten” oil refers to oil made from olives that were crushed or pounded, considered to be of higher quality and purity. This detail shows the offering was to use the best ingredients.

Why Numbers 28:5 matters

  • Numbers 28:5 highlights the careful attention to detail God required in worship, emphasizing that offerings were not random but followed a set pattern.
  • By specifying both the amount and the quality of the ingredients, the verse shows that everyday worship involved both generosity and respect for God’s instructions.
  • This verse connects to the larger passage by showing how daily offerings formed a regular rhythm in Israel’s life, helping the people remember and honor God continually.