Numbers 28 7

Numbers 28:7 kjv

And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering.

Numbers 28:7 nkjv

And its drink offering shall be one-fourth of a hin for each lamb; in a holy place you shall pour out the drink to the LORD as an offering.

Numbers 28:7 niv

The accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the LORD at the sanctuary.

Numbers 28:7 esv

Its drink offering shall be a quarter of a hin for each lamb. In the Holy Place you shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to the LORD.

Numbers 28:7 nlt

Along with it you must present the proper liquid offering of one quart of alcoholic drink with each lamb, poured out in the Holy Place as an offering to the LORD.

Numbers 28 verses

Numbers 28 7 Meaning

Numbers 28:7 details the specific components for the daily continual burnt offering. It specifies that for each lamb offered as part of the daily sacrifice, a drink offering, known as a nesek, must accompany it. The quantity for this offering is precisely one-fourth of a hin. Crucially, this libation, identified as "strong drink" (shekar), is to be poured out directly to the LORD within the sacred confines of the Holy Place of the Tabernacle or Temple. This precise instruction highlights the meticulous nature of divine worship, where every detail, from quantity to location and ingredient, holds sacred significance as an act of devotion and obedience to God.

Numbers 28 7 Context

Numbers Chapter 28 and 29 provide an extensive and highly detailed list of the sacrificial offerings required by God for the various sacred times of the Israelite calendar. This includes daily, weekly (Sabbath), monthly (New Moon), and annual festival sacrifices. This section of Numbers builds upon earlier instructions in Exodus and Leviticus, reiterating and often expanding on the exact requirements. Verse 7 specifically deals with the daily continual burnt offering, a sacrifice performed morning and evening without fail, signifying constant worship and atonement for the nation. The immediate context of verse 7 is the instructions for the drink offering that accompanies the morning lamb of the continual burnt offering, detailing its quantity, substance, and location, reinforcing the meticulousness and constancy expected in Israel's worship life.

Numbers 28 7 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew waw (וְ), a simple conjunction linking this verse to the preceding one, which describes the animal components of the daily burnt offering. It emphasizes that the drink offering is an integral part of this complete sacrifice.
• its drink offering: Hebrew wĕniska (וְנִסְכּוֹ).
  • Neseḵ (נֶסֶךְ) refers to a "drink offering" or "libation." It literally means "a pouring out" and often refers to pouring out wine or oil as part of a ritual. Unlike the animal sacrifice, it involves no fire, only pouring. It represents an act of dedication, homage, and worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and provision. It complements the animal offering, signifying the dedication of not just life (animal blood) but also joy, produce, and refreshment.
• shall be: Implies divine command and expectation; not optional.
• a fourth of a hin: Hebrew riviʿith hahin (רְבִיעִית הַהִין).
  • A hin (הִין) was a liquid measure, roughly 1 to 1.5 gallons or approximately 3.7 to 6 liters. A "fourth of a hin" would thus be about 0.25 to 0.375 gallons (approx. 0.95 to 1.5 liters). This precise measurement underscores the divine demand for exactness in worship, preventing both deficiency and wasteful excess. This specification for a lamb aligns with earlier instructions (Num 15:5).
• for one lamb: Explicitly links the drink offering to the primary sacrificial animal. Each daily lamb offering required its specific liquid accompaniment, emphasizing its essential, non-negotiable nature.
• in the Holy Place: Hebrew baqqodesh (בַּקֹּדֶשׁ).
  • Qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ) refers to "holiness" or "a holy thing/place." Here it specifically denotes the sacred area within the Tabernacle or Temple compound, specifically the "Holy Place" proper, where the altar of burnt offering stood, rather than the Most Holy Place. This designated location ensured that the offering was performed in a manner and place consecrated to God, distinguishing it from common or profane acts. It implies purity and reverence in worship.
• you shall pour out: Hebrew tiśōkh (תַּסֵּךְ), from the same root as neseḵ.
  • This is an imperative or prescriptive verb, directing the priests, who are responsible for performing the rituals. It indicates the action of pouring out the liquid onto or near the altar, directly connecting the libation to the altar and thereby to God. The act is public and intentional.
• a drink offering: Repeats neseḵ, reaffirming the specific type of offering and action.
• of strong drink: Hebrew shēkhār (שֵׁכָר).
  • Shekar typically refers to "strong drink" or "intoxicating drink," often distinct from wine (yayin) but includes various fermented beverages (e.g., made from barley, dates). Its inclusion here is highly significant given general biblical warnings against strong drink (Prov 20:1, Isa 5:11, Lev 10:9 for priests). In this unique cultic context, it is consecrated for divine use, contrasting sharply with its profane use which could lead to drunkenness and impurity. This command highlights that anything, even what might otherwise be forbidden or harmful, becomes holy when offered as prescribed by God in His worship. It speaks to God's authority over all things, transforming common elements into sacred ones for His purpose.
• to the LORD: Hebrew laYahweh (לַיהוָה).
  • Yahweh (יְהוָה) is God's covenant name, signifying His personal relationship with Israel. The offering is not for human benefit or ritualistic show, but directly consecrated to Yahweh Himself. This underscores the core purpose of all sacrifices: direct worship and communion with the living God.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And its drink offering shall be a fourth of a hin for one lamb": This phrase details the accompanying nature and exact quantity of the liquid offering relative to the animal sacrifice. It reiterates the strict proportionality and complementation in the sacrificial system. The integration of solid and liquid elements creates a complete worship experience.
• "in the Holy Place you shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink": This highlights the sacred location and specific action, underscoring the holiness of the ritual space. The use of "strong drink" here transforms a substance often associated with societal issues into a sanctified element within divine service, illustrating God's power to consecrate elements for His purposes. The act of pouring out signifies complete surrender and dedication, reminiscent of water poured out, never to be recovered.
• "to the LORD": This culminating phrase declares the ultimate recipient and purpose of the offering. It is exclusively for God, emphasizing monotheism and rejection of any pagan influences. Every element, action, and material aspect of the sacrifice culminates in an act of direct worship and dedication to Yahweh alone.

Numbers 28 7 Bonus section

• The exact substance of "strong drink" (shekar) varied. While distinct from yayin (grape wine), it included any intoxicating fermented beverage, emphasizing that even non-grape derived alcoholic drinks were included in God's commands.
• The continual daily offering (and its components like the drink offering) symbolized Israel's unbroken relationship with God, reminding them of His constant presence and their constant need for His grace and provision.
• The specificity of quantities for each type of animal (lamb, ram, bull) for their drink offerings throughout Numbers 15 and 28 highlights a graduated system of sacrifice, likely proportional to the animal's value and symbolic significance.
• This instruction also served as a subtle polemic against surrounding pagan religions which often involved excessive ritual drunkenness or the offering of drinks to multiple deities in chaotic and unprescribed ways. Israel's worship was divinely ordered, precise, and solely directed to the one true God, setting it apart.

Numbers 28 7 Commentary

Numbers 28:7 is not merely a technical instruction but a theological statement within Israel's worship. It mandates the accompaniment of a specific drink offering (libation) for each daily lamb sacrifice, precisely one-fourth of a hin of "strong drink," poured out in the Holy Place to the LORD. This reiterates God's demand for meticulous, comprehensive worship. The drink offering, typically wine in other contexts, uses "strong drink" here, which is highly significant given its proscription for priests when on duty (Lev 10:9) and Nazirites (Num 6:3). This unique sacred use underscores divine consecration—what is potentially dangerous in common use becomes holy and acceptable when explicitly commanded by God for His worship. It reminds us that only God can define holiness and how He is to be approached. The unchanging nature of this daily command signifies constant national dependence, dedication, and atonement before a holy God, prefiguring the ultimate, complete offering of Christ and inspiring believers to offer their whole lives as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1).