And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram,

NUMBERS 29:3KJV
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Numbers 29:3 (KJV)

What does Numbers 29:3 mean?

Numbers 29:3 gives instructions for the grain offering that was to accompany the sacrifice of a bull during a festival: it was to be made of flour mixed with oil, using three “tenth deals” (a specific measure) for each bull, and two “tenth deals” for each ram. This verse specifies the exact portions needed for these offerings.

In this part of Numbers, God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the Israelites about how to present offerings during special festivals. The focus here is on the proper way to prepare the grain (flour) and oil mixture that goes with the animal sacrifices, making sure each animal gets the right amount. The “tenth deal” is a measurement called an ephah, and the careful listing shows the importance of following God’s directions exactly.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 29:3

  • The word for “offering” is מִנְחָה (minchah), which often refers to a grain or gift offering, not an animal sacrifice. It highlights that this part of the ritual involved giving from the produce of the land.
  • “Flour” is סֹלֶת (solet), meaning fine flour, which was considered the best quality and was required for these offerings.
  • “Mingled” is בָּלוּל (balul), meaning mixed or blended, showing that the oil was to be thoroughly combined with the flour rather than just poured on top.
  • “Three” is שָׁלוֹשׁ (shalosh) and “two” is שְׁתַּיִם (shetayim), and “deals” is עִשָּׂרוֹן (issaron), which means a tenth part (of an ephah). This shows the precise, measured approach required for these offerings.

Why Numbers 29:3 matters

  • Numbers 29:3 clarifies that not only animal sacrifices but also grain offerings were a key part of Israel’s worship, and these had to be prepared with care and precision.
  • The verse shows the importance of order and obedience in Israel’s worship practices, with specific measurements for each type of animal.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section where God is teaching the Israelites how to approach Him during special times, showing that every detail of worship mattered.

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 28:28 And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,

“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: