Leviticus 23 13

Leviticus 23:13 kjv

And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savor: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.

Leviticus 23:13 nkjv

Its grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to the LORD, for a sweet aroma; and its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin.

Leviticus 23:13 niv

together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil?a food offering presented to the LORD, a pleasing aroma?and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin of wine.

Leviticus 23:13 esv

And the grain offering with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, a food offering to the LORD with a pleasing aroma, and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, a fourth of a hin.

Leviticus 23:13 nlt

With it you must present a grain offering consisting of four quarts of choice flour moistened with olive oil. It will be a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. You must also offer one quart of wine as a liquid offering.

Leviticus 23 verses

Leviticus 23 13 Meaning

Leviticus 23:13 details the precise accompanying offerings required with the wave sheaf of the firstfruits. These additional sacrifices consist of a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, which is presented as an offering consumed by fire to the Lord, described as a sweet aroma, alongside a drink offering of one-fourth of a hin of wine. The verse prescribes the exact quantities and components to ensure proper worship and dedication of the early harvest to God.

Leviticus 23 13 Context

Leviticus 23 details the Lord's appointed feasts (mo'adim), the set times and occasions for Israel to gather and worship Him throughout the year. These festivals serve as a structured calendar of worship and remembrance, revealing God's redemptive plan. Verse 13 specifically addresses the Feast of Firstfruits (Bikkurim), which immediately follows the Passover and Unleavened Bread observances. This particular feast marked the initial barley harvest, an occasion for presenting the very first sheaf of grain (omer) as a wave offering to the Lord before any new harvest could be consumed. Verse 13 delineates the precise quantities of accompanying grain and drink offerings that must be offered with this initial sheaf. The broader historical and cultural context underscores Israel's dependence on agriculture for survival, making the dedication of the "firstfruits" a profound act of faith, gratitude, and acknowledgment that all blessings flow from God.

Leviticus 23 13 Word analysis

• Its grain offering (מִנְחָתוֹ - minchato):
  • Word: minchah (מִנְחָה). While generally meaning "gift" or "tribute," in cultic contexts, it specifically denotes a non-blood offering, often made of flour, oil, or incense. Here, it refers to the precise, accompanying cereal offering for the wave sheaf.
  • Significance: This emphasizes the required supplement to the wave sheaf itself. It represents human labor and the produce of the land, given back to God.
• shall be two-tenths (שְׁנֵי עֶשְׂרֹנִים - sheney 'esseronim):
  • Word: 'issarone (עִשְׂרֹנִים), meaning "tenth part."
  • Significance: This precise quantity (two "tenths" of an ephah) highlights God's demand for meticulous obedience and exactitude in worship, leaving no room for approximation. It shows the specific generosity expected from the harvest.
• of an ephah (אֵיפָה - eiphah):
  • Word: eiphah (אֵיפָה). A dry measure, equivalent to about 22-30 liters.
  • Significance: Specifies the standard unit of measurement, confirming the tangible and calculable nature of the commanded offering.
• of fine flour (סֹלֶת - solet):
  • Word: solet (סֹלֶת). The highest quality flour, sifted multiple times, pure and refined.
  • Significance: Mandates that only the very best of the harvest, pristine and without blemish, is acceptable to the Lord. It signifies bringing one's utmost in devotion and substance.
• mixed with oil (בָּלוּל בַּשָּׁמֶן - balul bashemen):
  • Word: balul (בָּלוּל), "mixed, blended;" bashemen (בַּשָּׁמֶן), "with oil." Usually olive oil.
  • Significance: Oil symbolized anointing, consecration, purification, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Its mixing signifies a permeation and dedication, enhancing the offering's value and representing a holy communion.
• an offering made by fire (אִשֶּׁה - ishsheh):
  • Word: ishsheh (אִשֶּׁה). A general term for an offering consumed by fire.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that this offering is for the Lord, wholly consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and ascent to the divine realm. The act of burning transforms the earthly substance into an ethereal offering to God.
• to the Lord (לַיהוָה - laYHVH):
  • Word: YHVH (יְהוָה). The covenant name of God.
  • Significance: Reinforces that all aspects of this offering are directed specifically to the sovereign, covenant-making God of Israel, highlighting His sole recipient status for worship.
• a sweet aroma (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ - reyach nichoach):
  • Word: reyach (רֵיחַ), "aroma, scent;" nichoach (נִיחֹחַ), from nuach, "to rest, be soothing, tranquil."
  • Significance: Denotes divine acceptance and pleasure. The offering ascended to God, and He "smelled" it, indicating His favor and satisfaction. This is a recurring phrase for pleasing sacrifices.
• and its drink offering (וְנִסְכֹּה - venisko):
  • Word: nesek (נֶסֶךְ). A libation, typically of wine or oil, poured out as part of an offering.
  • Significance: Another essential component, liquid poured out, symbolizing dedication and lavish generosity. It points to a complete offering, body (grain/flour) and spirit (liquid/oil).
• shall be of wine (יָיִן - yayin):
  • Word: yayin (יָיִן). Wine, specific liquid for libation.
  • Significance: Wine, a symbol of joy, sustenance, and sometimes even suffering (as in a cup poured out), signifies another vital agricultural product offered back to God.
• one-fourth of a hin (רְבִיעִת הַהִין - revi'it hahin):
  • Word: revi'it (רְבִיעִית), "one-fourth;" hin (הִין), a liquid measure, about 3.5-6 liters.
  • Significance: Yet another precise quantity for a liquid, reinforcing the meticulously detailed requirements of the Mosaic law, underscoring order, purity, and exactitude in sacred service.

Words-group analysis:

• "Its grain offering...mixed with oil": This phrase details the cereal portion of the offering, emphasizing high quality ("fine flour") and the ritual act of mixing with oil, which consecrated it and added symbolic depth of divine presence or anointing.
• "an offering made by fire to the Lord, a sweet aroma": This group specifies the nature and purpose of the grain offering. It is completely dedicated and consumed for God, and its acceptance is affirmed by the "sweet aroma" (divine pleasure and favor). This concept resonates throughout the Law concerning acceptable sacrifices.
• "and its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a hin": This completes the prescribed accompanying offering, indicating the exact measure of wine for the libation. Together with the grain offering, it forms a complete and proportionate set of supplementary offerings that visually and practically convey full devotion and acknowledgement of God's provision.

Leviticus 23 13 Bonus section

The precise measurements given in Leviticus 23:13 are part of a larger pattern found in the books of Moses (e.g., Numbers 15 and 28-29) where God meticulously details the components for various sacrifices. This exactitude suggests that God is a God of order and intention in worship, ensuring the offerings represent a full and proportionate dedication. The quantitative details like "two-tenths of an ephah" and "one-fourth of a hin" illustrate an almost architectural blueprint for divine service, where nothing is left to chance, underscoring the sacredness and seriousness of approaching God. The consistency of these units and their ratios across different offerings indicates a theological harmony in the sacrificial system.

Leviticus 23 13 Commentary

Leviticus 23:13 stands as a meticulous instruction within the broader context of the Feast of Firstfruits, a foundational feast demonstrating Israel's agricultural dependence and spiritual trust in God. The detailed specification of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, consumed by fire as a "sweet aroma," alongside one-fourth of a hin of wine for the drink offering, is not mere ritualistic pedantry. Instead, it underscored several critical theological principles.

First, the precision required emphasized God's sovereignty and His demand for absolute obedience. Every detail mattered, teaching Israel that worship was not arbitrary but required careful adherence to divine pattern. Second, the use of "fine flour," "oil," and "wine" — all staples of their agrarian society — symbolized the giving back of the very best of their sustenance to the Provider, demonstrating gratitude and acknowledging that their lives and livelihoods flowed from His hand. The flour, representing their daily bread, and the oil and wine, representing richness and joy, consecrated and transformed by fire, ascended as an expression of their complete submission and thanksgiving. Third, the "sweet aroma" signifies divine acceptance. God receives and is pleased with offerings that are brought in the prescribed manner and with a right heart. This anticipates the ultimate "sweet-smelling aroma" of Christ's perfect self-sacrifice (Eph 5:2) and, by extension, the acceptable spiritual sacrifices believers are called to offer (Rom 12:1). The entire ordinance taught reverence, dependency, and the beauty of worship offered in perfect alignment with God's will.