◄ Numbers 15:21 ►
Throughout your generations, you are to give the LORD an offering from the first of your dough.
Study Bible
Throughout your generations
This phrase emphasizes the perpetual nature of the command. The Hebrew word for "generations" is "דּוֹר" (dor), which signifies an ongoing lineage or age. This command was not meant to be a temporary ordinance but a lasting practice for the Israelites. It underscores the importance of continuity in worship and obedience to God’s commands, reflecting a timeless principle that faith and devotion are to be passed down through the family line, ensuring that each generation acknowledges and honors God.

you are to give
The act of giving is central to this command. The Hebrew verb "תִּתֵּן" (titten) implies a deliberate and willing action. This is not merely a ritualistic obligation but an expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God’s provision. Giving to the LORD is an act of worship, demonstrating trust in His continued provision and a heart aligned with His purposes. It serves as a reminder that all blessings come from God, and returning a portion to Him is a recognition of His sovereignty and generosity.

the LORD
The use of "the LORD" here refers to "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God. This name is deeply significant, representing God’s eternal, self-existent nature and His faithful relationship with His people. By directing the offering to the LORD, the Israelites are reminded of their unique covenant relationship with Him. It is a call to remember His faithfulness and to respond with loyalty and devotion, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of all they possess.

an offering
The term "offering" in Hebrew is "תְּרוּמָה" (terumah), which denotes a contribution or gift set apart for a sacred purpose. This offering is not just any gift but one that is consecrated to God. It signifies the act of setting apart something valuable as holy, recognizing God’s holiness and the sacredness of the act of giving. This offering is a tangible expression of worship and dedication, symbolizing the believer’s commitment to God and His work.

from the first of your dough
The phrase "from the first of your dough" highlights the principle of firstfruits, which is a recurring theme in Scripture. The Hebrew word for "first" is "רֵאשִׁית" (reshit), meaning the beginning or the best part. By offering the first of their dough, the Israelites were acknowledging God’s provision and expressing their trust in His continued blessing. This act of giving the first and best portion to God is a demonstration of faith, showing that they prioritize God above all else and trust Him to provide for their needs. It is a powerful reminder that God deserves the first and best of all we have, as an act of worship and gratitude.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The primary audience of the command, the people of God who were to follow His laws and statutes as they journeyed through the wilderness and into the Promised Land.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who established the laws and commands for His people to follow as a sign of their devotion and obedience.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The context of this command is the preparation for living in this land.

4. The Offering
A portion of the first dough, symbolizing the firstfruits of the harvest, which was to be given to the LORD as an acknowledgment of His provision and sovereignty.

5. Generations
The command is to be observed "throughout your generations," indicating its perpetual nature and the importance of teaching it to future descendants.
Teaching Points
Acknowledgment of God's Provision
By giving the first of our dough, we recognize that all we have comes from God. This act of giving is a tangible expression of gratitude and trust in His continued provision.

Principle of Firstfruits
The concept of firstfruits is a recurring biblical theme that teaches us to prioritize God in our lives. It is a reminder to give God the first and best of our time, talents, and resources.

Generational Faithfulness
The command to observe this practice "throughout your generations" highlights the importance of teaching and modeling faithfulness to God for future generations.

Spiritual Discipline
Regularly setting aside the first portion for God cultivates a heart of generosity and aligns our priorities with His kingdom purposes.

Symbol of Dedication
The offering of the first dough serves as a symbol of dedicating our entire lives to God, acknowledging His lordship over every aspect of our existence.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the practice of giving the first of your dough to the LORD reflect your trust in His provision today?

2. In what ways can you apply the principle of firstfruits in your daily life, beyond financial giving?

3. How can you teach the importance of this principle to the next generation in your family or community?

4. What are some modern-day challenges to prioritizing God with the first and best of what we have, and how can we overcome them?

5. How does understanding Christ as the firstfruits of the resurrection impact your view of giving and dedication to God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 23:19
This verse also speaks about bringing the firstfruits to the house of the LORD, emphasizing the principle of giving God the first and best of what we have.

Proverbs 3:9-10
These verses encourage honoring the LORD with our wealth and the firstfruits of all our produce, promising that our barns will be filled with plenty.

Malachi 3:10
This passage challenges believers to bring the full tithe into the storehouse, with a promise of blessing for obedience.

1 Corinthians 15:20
Paul refers to Christ as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, connecting the concept of firstfruits to the resurrection and the new covenant.
Sermons
An Offering from the Dough: Domestic ReligionD. Young Numbers 15:17-21
People
Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Egypt, Wilderness of Paran
Topics
Beginning, Coarse, Dough, Generation, Generations, Gift, Ground, Heave, Heave-offering, Lifted, Meal, Offering, Portion, Rough, Throughout, Wave
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 15:20-21

     4462   grinding

Library
List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

We are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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