6241. issaron
Lexical Summary
issaron: Tenth part, tenth

Original Word: עִשָּׂרוֹן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `issarown
Pronunciation: is-saw-rone'
Phonetic Spelling: (is-saw-rone')
KJV: tenth deal
NASB: tenth, one-tenth
Word Origin: [from H6235 (עֶשֶׂר עֲשָׂרָה - ten)]

1. (fractional) a tenth part

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
tenth deal

Or oissaron {is-saw-rone'}; from eser; (fractional) a tenth part -- tenth deal.

see HEBREW eser

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as eser
Definition
tenth part
NASB Translation
one-tenth (1), tenth (5), three-tenths* (8), two-tenths* (11).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עִשָּׂרוֺן33 noun masculineLeviticus 14:10 tenth part (of ephah; compare ᵐ5 δέκατον τοῦ οἰφί Numbers 15:4, and עֲשִׂירִית הָאֵיפָה Numbers 28:5; i.e = עֹמֶר, see further BenzArchaeology 182 NowArchaeology i. 203); — abs; — ׳ע Leviticus 14:21 +, עִשָּׂרֹן Exodus 29:40; Numbers 28:13; plural עֶשְׂרֹנִים Numbers 28:9 +; — only P (H), as measure of סֹלֶת used in meal-offering Exodus 29:40; Leviticus 14:10 3t. Leviticus (H only Leviticus 23:17); Numbers 15:4 26t. Numbers, including distributive עִשָּׂר (וֺ) ן עִשָּׂרוֺן Numbers 28:13 4t.

Topical Lexicon
Measure and Definition

עִשָּׂרוֹן (issaron) designates one-tenth of an ephah, a dry measure for grain or fine flour. Based on the standard two-thirds bushel ephah, an issaron is approximately 3.5 to 3.9 liters (about 3.3–3.7 quarts). Although a small quantity by modern standards, it was deliberately chosen by the LORD to structure Israel’s worship, reminding the people that even ordinary portions belong to Him.

Biblical Distribution

Thirty-three occurrences are clustered in the Pentateuch with a single historical reference in Ezekiel:
• Exodus (7) – Exodus 16:36; 29:40; 30:13, etc.
• Leviticus (13) – Leviticus 2:1; 5:11; 6:20; 14:10, 21; 23:13, 17, etc.
• Numbers (11) – Numbers 15:4–9; 28:5, 13, 21, 29; 29:3, 9, 14, 15, 18, etc.
• Ezekiel (2) – Ezekiel 45:11, 14.

The concentration in Torah underscores its importance in the foundational covenant documents that governed Israel’s worship life.

Role in Daily Worship

1. Continual Burnt Offering – “With the first lamb you are to offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter hin of beaten oil” (Exodus 29:40). Morning and evening sacrifices were sustained by one issaron of flour, symbolizing regular dependence on God’s provision.
2. Grain Offering – Leviticus 2 stipulates an issaron of finely ground flour mingled with oil and incense as a soothing aroma to the LORD. Its simplicity contrasts the wealth of whole burnt offerings, demonstrating that worship is accessible even to the poor.

Provision for the Impoverished

Leviticus 5:11 allows a sin-offering of “a tenth of an ephah of fine flour” for those unable to afford two turtledoves. The same substitute appears for the cleansing of lepers (Leviticus 14:21). The fixed measure assured equity; no worshipper could offer less without violating the standard, yet none was compelled to give beyond means.

Festal Requirements

The appointed times magnified the issaron:
• Feast of Unleavened Bread – one issaron with the daily lamb (Numbers 28:20).
• Feast of Weeks – “two loaves… two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour” (Leviticus 23:17), each loaf double the daily issaron, signaling harvest abundance.
• New Moons and the Seventh Month – multiple issaron measures accompany multiplied burnt offerings (Numbers 28–29), marking intensification of worship as the calendar advances toward the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Booths.

Issaron and the Miracle of Manna

Exodus 16:36 equates an omer—the daily manna portion—with “a tenth of an ephah.” Every Israelite family gathered exactly this measure, teaching contentment and obedience. The memorial jar placed before the testimony (Exodus 16:32-34) bore one issaron, preserving evidence of divine sustenance for future generations.

Symbolism of the Tenth

1. Proportionate Devotion – A tenth echoes the tithe (Genesis 14:20; Malachi 3:10) and compresses the principle of firstfruits into a unit used in worship.
2. Wholeness through Fraction – Though only a fraction, the issaron completed every sacrifice, hinting that God makes the partial sufficient when offered in faith.
3. Anticipation of Christ – The daily application of an issaron with each slain lamb foreshadows the perfect sufficiency of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, once for all (Hebrews 10:10). The measured flour, ground fine and mixed with oil, typifies the incarnate Word anointed by the Spirit.

Historical Background

Archaeological calibration of Near-Eastern dry measures confirms the ephah’s prevalence in commerce and cult. Ezekiel’s temple vision adjusts measures to ensure “the ephah and the bath shall be the same size” (Ezekiel 45:11), reaffirming accurate worship after exile. The prophet also mandates an issaron of grain for every ram (Ezekiel 45:24), preserving Mosaic continuity while anticipating eschatological fulfillment.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Discipleship – Regular, measurable acts of devotion cultivate faithfulness. Congregational life benefits from clearly defined, attainable forms of giving and service.
• Compassion – The issaron standard balances dignity and mercy: it is neither extravagant nor negligible, modeling benevolent provision for the needy.
• Teaching – Preaching on sacrificial portions helps believers see the coherence of Scripture, linking Old Testament ritual to New Testament redemption.

Conclusion

עִשָּׂרוֹן represents more than an ancient grain measure; it is a God-ordained token of daily gratitude, communal equity, and prophetic anticipation. Rooted in Israel’s worship and fulfilled in Christ, the issaron calls every generation to offer its appointed portion with wholehearted trust in the LORD who provides the bread from heaven.

Forms and Transliterations
וְעִשָּׂר֣וֹן וְעִשָּׂר֨וֹן וְעִשָּׂרֹ֣ן וְעִשָּׂרֹ֨ן וְעִשָּׂרׅוֹן֙ ועשרון ועשרן עִשָּׂר֔וֹן עִשָּׂר֗וֹן עִשָּׂר֤וֹן עִשָּׂרוֹן֙ עֶשְׂרֹנִ֑ים עֶשְׂרֹנִ֔ים עֶשְׂרֹנִ֖ים עֶשְׂרֹנִ֗ים עֶשְׂרֹנִ֛ים עֶשְׂרֹנִ֜ים עֶשְׂרֹנִים֙ עשרון עשרנים ‘eś·rō·nîm ‘eśrōnîm ‘iś·śā·rō·wn ‘iśśārōwn esroNim issaRon veissaRon wə‘iśśārōn wə‘iśśārōwn wə·‘iś·śā·rō·wn wə·‘iś·śā·rōn
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 29:40
HEB: וְעִשָּׂרֹ֨ן סֹ֜לֶת בָּל֨וּל
NAS: and there [shall be] one-tenth [of an ephah] of fine flour
KJV: lamb a tenth deal of flour
INT: and there one-tenth fine mixed

Leviticus 14:10
HEB: תְּמִימָ֑ה וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה עֶשְׂרֹנִ֗ים סֹ֤לֶת מִנְחָה֙
KJV: and three tenth deals of fine flour
INT: defect and three deals fine offering

Leviticus 14:21
HEB: לְכַפֵּ֣ר עָלָ֑יו וְעִשָּׂר֨וֹן סֹ֜לֶת אֶחָ֨ד
KJV: for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour
INT: to make and deal fine and one-tenth

Leviticus 23:13
HEB: וּמִנְחָתוֹ֩ שְׁנֵ֨י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֜ים סֹ֣לֶת בְּלוּלָ֥ה
KJV: thereof [shall be] two tenth deals of fine flour
INT: offering thereof two deals fine mixed

Leviticus 23:17
HEB: שְׁ֚תַּיִם שְׁנֵ֣י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֔ים סֹ֣לֶת תִּהְיֶ֔ינָה
KJV: of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour;
INT: two two deals A fine become

Leviticus 24:5
HEB: חַלּ֑וֹת שְׁנֵי֙ עֶשְׂרֹנִ֔ים יִהְיֶ֖ה הַֽחַלָּ֥ה
KJV: thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one
INT: cakes both deals become cake

Numbers 15:4
HEB: מִנְחָה֙ סֹ֣לֶת עִשָּׂר֔וֹן בָּל֕וּל בִּרְבִעִ֥ית
KJV: a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour
INT: offering fine deal mixed the fourth

Numbers 15:6
HEB: סֹ֖לֶת שְׁנֵ֣י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֑ים בְּלוּלָ֥ה בַשֶּׁ֖מֶן
KJV: two tenth deals of flour
INT: fine two deals mixed of oil

Numbers 15:9
HEB: סֹ֖לֶת שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה עֶשְׂרֹנִ֑ים בָּל֥וּל בַּשֶּׁ֖מֶן
KJV: of three tenth deals of flour
INT: fine of three deals mixed of oil

Numbers 28:9
HEB: תְּמִימִ֑ם וּשְׁנֵ֣י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֗ים סֹ֧לֶת מִנְחָ֛ה
KJV: and two tenth deals of flour
INT: without two tenth fine offering

Numbers 28:12
HEB: וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה עֶשְׂרֹנִ֗ים סֹ֤לֶת מִנְחָה֙
KJV: And three tenth deals of flour
INT: and three deals fine offering

Numbers 28:12
HEB: הָאֶחָ֑ד וּשְׁנֵ֣י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֗ים סֹ֤לֶת מִנְחָה֙
KJV: and two tenth deals of flour
INT: each and two tenth flour offering

Numbers 28:13
HEB: וְעִשָּׂרֹ֣ן עִשָּׂר֗וֹן סֹ֤לֶת
NAS: and a tenth [of an] [ephah] of fine flour
KJV: And a several tenth deal of flour
INT: tenth tenth fine

Numbers 28:13
HEB: וְעִשָּׂרֹ֣ן עִשָּׂר֗וֹן סֹ֤לֶת מִנְחָה֙
INT: tenth tenth fine offering

Numbers 28:20
HEB: בַשָּׁ֑מֶן שְׁלֹשָׁ֨ה עֶשְׂרֹנִ֜ים לַפָּ֗ר וּשְׁנֵ֧י
KJV: three tenth deals shall ye offer
INT: oil three deals A bull and two

Numbers 28:20
HEB: לַפָּ֗ר וּשְׁנֵ֧י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֛ים לָאַ֖יִל תַּעֲשֽׂוּ׃
KJV: and two tenth deals for a ram;
INT: A bull and two deals the ram shall offer

Numbers 28:21
HEB: עִשָּׂר֤וֹן עִשָּׂרוֹן֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה
NAS: A tenth [of an] [ephah] you shall offer
KJV: A several tenth deal shalt thou offer
INT: A tenth A tenth shall offer

Numbers 28:21
HEB: עִשָּׂר֤וֹן עִשָּׂרוֹן֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ
INT: A tenth A tenth shall offer lambs

Numbers 28:28
HEB: בַשָּׁ֑מֶן שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה עֶשְׂרֹנִים֙ לַפָּ֣ר הָֽאֶחָ֔ד
KJV: three tenth deals unto one
INT: oil three deals bull each

Numbers 28:28
HEB: הָֽאֶחָ֔ד שְׁנֵי֙ עֶשְׂרֹנִ֔ים לָאַ֖יִל הָאֶחָֽד׃
KJV: bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,
INT: each two deals ram the one

Numbers 28:29
HEB: עִשָּׂרוֹן֙ עִשָּׂר֔וֹן לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ
NAS: a tenth for each of the seven
KJV: A several tenth deal unto one lamb,
INT: A tenth A tenth lambs

Numbers 28:29
HEB: עִשָּׂרוֹן֙ עִשָּׂר֔וֹן לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ הָאֶחָ֑ד
INT: A tenth A tenth lambs each

Numbers 29:3
HEB: בַשָּׁ֑מֶן שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה עֶשְׂרֹנִים֙ לַפָּ֔ר שְׁנֵ֥י
KJV: three tenth deals for a bullock,
INT: oil three deals the bull two

Numbers 29:3
HEB: לַפָּ֔ר שְׁנֵ֥י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֖ים לָאָֽיִל׃
KJV: [and] two tenth deals for a ram,
INT: the bull two deals the ram

Numbers 29:4
HEB: וְעִשָּׂר֣וֹן אֶחָ֔ד לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ
KJV: And one tenth deal for one lamb,
INT: deal and one-tenth lambs

33 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6241
33 Occurrences


‘eś·rō·nîm — 19 Occ.
‘iś·śā·rō·wn — 9 Occ.
wə·‘iś·śā·rōn — 5 Occ.

6240
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