Numbers 28 12

Numbers 28:12 kjv

And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;

Numbers 28:12 nkjv

three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, for each bull; two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, for the one ram;

Numbers 28:12 niv

With each bull there is to be a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; with the ram, a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil;

Numbers 28:12 esv

also three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with oil, for each bull, and two tenths of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with oil, for the one ram;

Numbers 28:12 nlt

These must be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil ? six quarts with each bull, four quarts with the ram,

Numbers 28 verses

Numbers 28 12 Meaning

Numbers 28:12 precisely outlines the grain offerings, specifically the amounts of fine flour, that were to accompany the animal burnt offerings made monthly on the occasion of the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) festival. It specifies three-tenths of an ephah for each bull, two-tenths for the single ram, and one-tenth for each of the seven male lambs sacrificed, thereby emphasizing the divine requirement for precise and complete worship. This meticulous detail ensured that every aspect of the prescribed communal sacrifice honored God according to His explicit instructions.

Numbers 28 12 Context

Numbers 28:12 is situated within a broader section (Numbers 28-29) that meticulously outlines the offerings Israel was to present at various times throughout the year. Specifically, verse 12 describes the grain offering associated with the New Moon (Rosh Chodesh) sacrifice mentioned in Numbers 28:11. This monthly festival marked the beginning of each new lunar month, serving as a time for national renewal, communal worship, and specific animal and grain offerings to the Lord. The detailed nature of these commands emphasized God's desire for consistent and orderly worship from His covenant people, setting a divine pattern for their calendar and their dedication. These instructions also reinforced the centralized nature of Israel's worship, with all offerings to be brought to the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) according to divine prescription.

Numbers 28 12 Word analysis

• and three-tenths of an ephah (וּשְׁלֹשָׁה עֶשְׂרֹנִים אֵיפָה, u-shəlošah ‘eśronim ‘ephah): This precise measurement indicates the required quantity of fine flour. An ephah was a dry measure, roughly equivalent to 3/5 to 1 bushel (approx. 22 liters or 0.6 dry US gallons). "Three-tenths" (‘eśronim) points to a fraction, signifying careful, exact specification. This precision emphasizes that the offering was not arbitrary but governed by divine decree, reflecting order in approaching a holy God.
• for each bull (לַפָּר הָאֶחָד, la-par ha-echad): The word par refers to a young bull, typically chosen for significant burnt offerings due to its value and size. This phrase links the specific flour quantity to the sacrifice of each bull. The grain offering complemented the burnt offering, indicating that both types of sacrifices were intrinsically connected and necessary for the complete act of worship.
• two-tenths of an ephah (שְׁנֵי עֶשְׂרֹנִים, shəne ‘eśronim): This is the lesser, specific quantity of flour for the ram. The varying quantities for different animals reflect a proportional approach to the accompanying offerings, depending on the significance or size of the primary animal sacrifice.
• for each ram (לָאַיִל הָאֶחָד, la-’ayil ha-echad): The word ’ayil denotes a ram, an adult male sheep. This confirms the link of the grain offering amount to this particular animal. Rams were common sacrificial animals, representing value and suitability for communal offerings.
• and one-tenth of an ephah (וְעִשָּׂרוֹן עִשָּׂרוֹן, və-‘issaron ‘issaron): The smallest of the specified quantities for each individual lamb. The Hebrew literally says "a tenth a tenth," perhaps for emphasis on the strictness of the small but numerous individual amounts.
• for each lamb or kid (לַכֶּבֶשׂ הָאֶחָד הָאֶחָד, la-keveś ha-echad ha-echad): The term keves refers to a young lamb, often male, typically less than a year old. While "lamb or kid" is often used in English translations to provide a general sense, in the context of Numbers 28:11 and other sacrificial lists, it consistently refers to a lamb. This demonstrates that precise attention to detail extended to the smallest sacrificial animals.
• for each of the seven lambs (וּלְשֶׁבַע כְּבָשִׁים הָאֶחָד, u-ləsheva‘ kəvašim ha-echad): This phrase clarifies that the one-tenth ephah measurement applies individually to each of the seven lambs that were part of the communal New Moon burnt offering. It highlights the multiplicative nature of the offerings required, showing that the total offering for the community involved a summation of individual components. The repetition of "each" underscores meticulousness and exact compliance.

• Grain Offering with Burnt Offering: The pairing of the grain offering (minchah) with the burnt offering (olah) symbolizes a comprehensive act of worship. The olah (burnt offering) was entirely consumed, representing complete dedication and atonement, while the minchah (grain offering), made from staple food, could symbolize thanks, dependence on God for sustenance, or the dedication of one's livelihood. Together, they represent the complete surrender and sustained faithfulness of the worshiper.
• Meticulous Measurements: The repetitive and precise specifications for fractions of an ephah throughout Numbers 28 and 29 serve several purposes: they emphasize divine authority, prevent arbitrary worship, ensure proper distinction between holy and common, and require meticulous obedience from the priests and people. This mathematical exactitude underscored the sanctity of the ritual.

Numbers 28 12 Bonus section

• The Minchah Offering: The grain offering, or minchah, had broader significance. In the ancient Near East, minchah could refer to a tribute, gift, or present. When offered to God, it was a symbolic acknowledgment of His sovereignty and provision. It typically consisted of fine flour (solet), often mixed with oil and frankincense, signifying purity and devotion.
• Symbolism of "Fine Flour": The consistent demand for "fine flour" (solet) for the grain offerings symbolized the presentation of the very best to God. It required extra effort in preparation, reflecting that the worshiper should offer to the Lord with diligence and without defect. This foreshadows the perfect and blemish-free offering of Christ.
• Repetitive Instruction: The reiteration of these specific measurements across Numbers chapters 28 and 29 is not mere redundancy. It served to embed these crucial details into the national memory and practice, underscoring the non-negotiable and consistent nature of Israel's communal worship requirements.
• New Moons and the Rhythm of Life: The New Moon festivals tied the nation's spiritual life directly to the natural lunar cycle, ensuring that worship was a continuous, rhythmic aspect of their daily and monthly existence, not just an annual event. It taught them to sanctify time and dedicate every phase of life to the Lord.

Numbers 28 12 Commentary

Numbers 28:12 serves as a foundational detail in the elaborate blueprint for Israel's worship, specifically for the monthly New Moon festivals. It underscores that proper reverence for God extended beyond the main animal sacrifice to the accompanying grain offerings, requiring meticulous adherence to divinely prescribed quantities of fine flour. This precision reflected God's holy and orderly nature, demanding that His people approach Him with exactness and intentionality, rather than casualness or improvisation. Such detailed legislation distinguished Israelite worship from pagan practices, reinforcing the covenant relationship built on divine instruction and obedience. While literal sacrifices are fulfilled in Christ, the principle remains: Christian worship should be characterized by intentionality, devotion of our best, and alignment with God's revealed will, recognizing the gravity and privilege of drawing near to Him. Our lives, offered as spiritual sacrifices (Rom 12:1), should likewise reflect deliberate devotion.