Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 28:20
The Hebrew word for offering refers to a gift or donation, often given to God as a sacrifice. In Leviticus 2:1, it describes a grain offering. It can also mean tribute or present.
Definition: : offering/sacrifice 1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering 1a) gift, present 1b) tribute 1c) offering (to God) 1d) grain offering
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice. See also: Genesis 4:3; Numbers 29:28; Psalms 20:4.
This Hebrew word refers to fine flour, often used in baking and as an offering. It is translated as 'fine flour' or 'meal' in the KJV Bible, and is mentioned in various books, including Leviticus.
Definition: fine flour
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: (fine) flour, meal. See also: Genesis 18:6; Numbers 7:61; Ezekiel 46:14.
To feed or anoint, this verb means to give provender to animals or to mix something, like oil. It is used to describe caring for animals or preparing something.
Definition: 1) to mix, mingle, confuse, confound 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to mingle, confuse 1a2) to mix 1b) (Hithpoel) to mix oneself (among others) 1c) (Hiphil) to fade away
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: anoint, confound, [idiom] fade, mingle, mix (self), give provender, temper. See also: Genesis 11:7; Numbers 7:55; Psalms 92:11.
The Hebrew word for oil, often referring to olive oil, which was highly valued in ancient times. It symbolizes richness, anointing, and healing, and is used in various biblical contexts, including rituals and medicinal practices.
Definition: 1) fat, oil 1a) fat, fatness 1b) oil, olive oil 1b1) as staple, medicament or unguent 1b2) for anointing 1c) fat (of fruitful land, valleys) (metaph)
Usage: Occurs in 176 OT verses. KJV: anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine. See also: Genesis 28:18; Deuteronomy 8:8; Psalms 23:5.
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
This word means a tenth part, like a tithe, which is 10% of something, as described in Leviticus 27:32. It refers to a small portion of a larger whole.
Definition: tenth part, tithe
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: tenth deal. See also: Exodus 29:40; Numbers 28:13; Numbers 29:15.
This Hebrew word means a young bull or ox, often used as a sacrifice in the Bible. In Exodus, a bullock is used as an offering to God. The word describes a strong and powerful animal.
Definition: young bull, steer, bullock
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] young) bull(-ock), calf, ox. See also: Genesis 32:16; Numbers 28:20; Psalms 22:13.
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
This word means a tenth part, like a tithe, which is 10% of something, as described in Leviticus 27:32. It refers to a small portion of a larger whole.
Definition: tenth part, tithe
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: tenth deal. See also: Exodus 29:40; Numbers 28:13; Numbers 29:15.
A strong tree, like an oak or a ram, symbolizes strength and power, as seen in 1 Kings 7:2 where Solomon builds a house with strong pillars. It can also refer to a chief or leader, like in 1 Chronicles 12:14 where the leaders of the tribes are listed.
Definition: 1) ram 1a) ram (as food) 1b) ram (as sacrifice) 1c) ram (skin dyed red, for tabernacle)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 28:20; Psalms 66:15.
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
Context — Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread
Numbers 28:20 Summary
The grain offering in Numbers 28:20 is a way of giving our best to God, just like the Israelites did when they offered fine flour mixed with oil. This offering represents the fruit of our labor and the dedication of our lives to God, as seen in other parts of the Bible like Leviticus 2:1-2. We can apply this principle today by giving generously and cheerfully, as taught in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, and by remembering that our worship is not just about what we give, but about the heart behind it, as mentioned in Matthew 15:8-9. By offering our lives to God, we can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from worshiping Him with our whole hearts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the grain offering in Numbers 28:20?
The grain offering, made of fine flour mixed with oil, represents the fruit of our labor and the dedication of our lives to God, as seen in Leviticus 2:1-2, where it is described as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Why are different amounts of grain offered with each type of animal in Numbers 28:20?
The varying amounts of grain offered with each animal, such as three-tenths of an ephah with each bull and two-tenths with the ram, may symbolize the different roles and responsibilities within the community, as mentioned in Exodus 30:14, where each person is required to give according to their ability.
How does the grain offering in Numbers 28:20 relate to our worship today?
While we no longer offer grain as a sacrifice, the principle of giving our best to God remains, as taught in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, where we are encouraged to give generously and cheerfully, and in Malachi 3:10, where we are instructed to bring the full tithe into the storehouse.
What is the connection between the grain offering and the other sacrifices mentioned in Numbers 28:19-22?
The grain offering is part of a larger sacrificial system, which includes burnt offerings, sin offerings, and others, all of which point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as seen in Hebrews 10:1-14, where the author explains that Christ's sacrifice has fulfilled the Old Testament sacrificial system.
Reflection Questions
- What does the grain offering represent in my own life, and how can I offer my daily work and activities as a sacrifice to God?
- How can I apply the principle of giving my best to God in my own worship and service, whether through finances, time, or talents?
- In what ways can I reflect on the different roles and responsibilities within my own community, and how can I use my unique position to serve and honor God?
- How does the sacrificial system in Numbers 28:19-22 point me to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and what does this mean for my faith and worship?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 28:20
Ver. 20,21. And their meat offering,.... The quantity of flour for which is the same for a bullock, a ram, and a lamb, as in Numbers 28:12.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 28:20
And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD. In the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 28:20
Chapters 28, 29. P The amounts of public offerings at the sacred seasons The following are the seasons for which offerings are enjoined:—(1) every morning and evening (Numbers 28:3-8), (2) the Sabbath (Numbers 28:9 f.), (3) the first day of each month (Numbers 28:11-15) [the Passover is mentioned Numbers 28:16), but no offering is commanded], (4) the seven days of Unleavened Cakes (Numbers 28:17-25), (5) the Feast of Weeks (Numbers 28:26-31), (6) the first day of the sacred seventh month, i.e. the Feast of Trumpets (Numbers 29:1-6), (7) the tenth day of the seventh month, i.e. the Day of Atonement (Numbers 29:7-11), (8) the fifteenth to the twenty-first day of the seventh month, i.e. the seven days of the Feast of Booths (Numbers 29:12-31), (9) the additional, eighth, day of the Feast of Booths (Numbers 29:35-38). Nos. (7) and (9) shew that the list is post-exilic, for neither was observed before the time of Ezra. The offerings are of four kinds:—burnt-offerings (the flesh of animals), meal-offerings (meal and oil), drink-offerings or libations (wine), and sin-offerings (one he-goat). Similar lists, not, however, so complete and systematic, are found in the Law of Holiness (Leviticus 23) and Ezekiel 45:18 to Ezekiel 46:15. The amounts of the meal-offerings and libations have already been given in Numbers 15:1-16. The animals to be offered are as follows:—4 lambs for a burnt-offering on the Sabbath, and 2 on each of the other days in the week; on all the holy-days except the Sabbath one he-goat for a sin-offering; and in addition to these the following animals: LambsRamsBullocksst day of each month712Each of the 7 days of Unleavened Cakes712Feast of Weeks712st day of 7th month711th day of 7th month711Each of the 7 days of the Feast of Booths also 13 bullocks on the 1st day, and decreasing by one on each succeeding day.142th day of the Feast of Booths711
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 28:20
19-21. Ye shall offer — The same sacrifices, meat and drink offerings, as were required at the new moons. Ezekiel (Ezekiel 45:22-24) predicts a change in these.