Numbers 29:4 (KJV)

What does Numbers 29:4 mean?

Numbers 29:4 states that for each of the seven lambs offered in the festival sacrifice, one-tenth of an ephah of flour should be given as a grain offering for each lamb. This instruction is part of the detailed directions for offerings during Israel’s religious festivals.

In this verse, God is giving Moses specific instructions to pass on to the Israelites about the sacrifices required during the Feast of Tabernacles. The focus is on the precise amount of grain that should accompany each lamb, showing the importance of careful obedience to the ritual details. This verse is part of a larger section where each offering and its corresponding grain and drink offerings are listed out for the people.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 29:4

• "one" (אֶחָד, 'echad'): This word is used twice in the verse to stress that the specified amount applies to each individual lamb, not to the group as a whole.
• "deal" (עִשָּׂרוֹן, 'issaron'): This refers to a "tenth part," specifically one-tenth of an ephah, which is a measure of grain. This clarifies that the offering is not arbitrary but measured.
• "lamb" (כֶּבֶשׂ, keves): The word for lamb here refers to a young sheep, which was a common animal for sacrifice in Israelite worship.
• "seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheva): The number seven is significant in the context of offerings, often symbolizing completeness or wholeness in the Hebrew Bible.

Why Numbers 29:4 matters

• Numbers 29:4 emphasizes the importance of precision in worship, showing that each lamb required its own separate grain offering, rather than sharing a single offering among all seven.
• This verse highlights the careful structure of Israel’s sacrificial system, where every detail—down to the amount of flour for each animal—was laid out by God.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the repeated, daily nature of these offerings during the festival, underlining the theme of consistency and faithfulness in Israel’s relationship with God.