then the one presenting his offering to the LORD shall also present a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter hin of olive oil. then the one presenting his offeringThis phrase refers to the individual who is bringing a sacrifice to God. In the Hebrew context, the word for "presenting" is "qarab," which means to come near or approach. This act of presenting an offering is not merely a ritualistic duty but a deeply personal act of worship and devotion. It signifies the worshiper's desire to draw near to God, acknowledging His holiness and their own need for atonement and fellowship with Him. shall present to the LORD
The phrase emphasizes the direction and purpose of the offering. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, highlighting the covenant relationship between God and His people. Presenting an offering to the LORD is an act of obedience and reverence, recognizing His sovereignty and grace. It is a reminder that all offerings are ultimately for God's glory and honor. a grain offering
The grain offering, or "minchah" in Hebrew, was a tribute to God, often representing the fruits of one's labor. It was a non-blood offering, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving. Historically, grain offerings were a staple in ancient Near Eastern worship, but in Israel, they held a unique significance as a voluntary act of worship, expressing gratitude and dependence on God's provision. of a tenth of an ephah
An "ephah" was a unit of dry measure used in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about 5.8 gallons. A tenth of an ephah signifies a portion set apart for God, reflecting the principle of giving God the first and best of what one has. This act of setting aside a specific measure underscores the importance of intentionality and sacrifice in worship. of fine flour
The use of "fine flour" indicates the quality of the offering. In Hebrew, "solet" refers to finely milled flour, representing purity and excellence. Offering fine flour symbolizes giving God the best, not the leftovers, and reflects a heart of worship that seeks to honor God with the finest of one's resources. mixed with a quarter hin of oil
A "hin" was a unit of liquid measure, approximately 3.7 liters or about 1 gallon. A quarter hin of oil, therefore, would be about 0.9 liters. Oil in the Bible often symbolizes the Holy Spirit, anointing, and consecration. Mixing oil with the grain offering signifies the blending of human effort with divine empowerment, illustrating that true worship is a partnership between human dedication and God's enabling presence. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe primary audience of the book of Numbers, receiving instructions on how to live and worship as God's chosen people. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, through whom God communicated His laws and instructions. 3. The TabernacleThe central place of worship for the Israelites, where offerings and sacrifices were made. 4. OfferingsSpecific sacrifices commanded by God, including burnt offerings and grain offerings, as acts of worship and atonement. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who established the laws and rituals for His people to follow. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceThe Israelites were called to follow God's specific instructions for offerings, demonstrating their obedience and reverence. Symbolism of the Grain OfferingThe grain offering symbolizes dedication and thanksgiving to God, acknowledging His provision and sustenance. Holiness in WorshipThe detailed requirements for offerings remind us of the holiness required in worship and the need for purity in approaching God. Christ as the FulfillmentThe sacrificial system points to Christ, who fulfills the law and offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Generosity and SacrificeThe offering of fine flour and oil reflects the call to give our best to God, encouraging us to live lives of generosity and sacrifice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the requirement for specific offerings in Numbers 15:4 reflect the nature of God and His expectations for His people? 2. In what ways can the symbolism of the grain offering be applied to our modern-day worship practices? 3. How does the concept of offerings in the Old Testament connect to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament? 4. What does the detailed nature of the offerings teach us about the importance of intentionality in our relationship with God? 5. How can we apply the principles of generosity and sacrifice from Numbers 15:4 in our daily lives and interactions with others? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 2Provides detailed instructions on grain offerings, emphasizing the importance of offerings in Israelite worship. Exodus 29Describes the consecration of priests and the role of offerings in maintaining holiness and relationship with God. Hebrews 10Discusses the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Christ, highlighting the transition from Old Testament offerings to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. People Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces Egypt, Wilderness of ParanTopics Best, Bring, Bringeth, Bringing, Brings, Cereal, Deal, Ephah, Fine, Flour, Fourth, Grain, Hin, Making, Meal, Meal-offering, Measure, Meat, Meat-offering, Mingled, Mixed, Oblation, Offer, Offereth, Offering, Offers, Oil, One-fourth, One-tenth, Present, Presenteth, Presents, Quarter, TenthDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 15:1-4 4404 food Numbers 15:1-10 7368 grain offering Numbers 15:1-12 1680 types
4456 grain Numbers 15:2-4 5741 vows Numbers 15:4-9 5616 measures, dry Numbers 15:4-10 5617 measures, liquid 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 MessiahWe 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 Links Numbers 15:4 NIVNumbers 15:4 NLTNumbers 15:4 ESVNumbers 15:4 NASBNumbers 15:4 KJV
Numbers 15:4 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
