Numbers 15:4
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 offering to the LORD
This phrase indicates the personal responsibility of the worshiper in the sacrificial system. The act of presenting an offering signifies a direct relationship between the individual and God, emphasizing personal devotion and accountability. In the broader context of the Old Testament, offerings were a means of atonement and worship, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and Israel. This personal act foreshadows the New Testament teaching of believers presenting themselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).

shall also present a grain offering
The grain offering, or "minchah," was a common type of offering in ancient Israel, symbolizing the dedication of one's labor and sustenance to God. It was a non-blood offering, often accompanying burnt offerings, and represented thanksgiving and devotion. This offering highlights the importance of acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty over all aspects of life, including daily sustenance.

of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour
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 would be a significant but manageable portion, indicating a meaningful yet accessible offering. Fine flour was a refined product, symbolizing purity and the best of one's resources. This requirement underscores the principle of giving God the best, a theme echoed in the call for believers to offer their best in service and worship.

mixed with a quarter hin of olive oil
A hin was a unit of liquid measure, approximately 3.7 liters or about 1 gallon. A quarter hin of olive oil would be about 0.9 liters or roughly 1 quart. Olive oil was a valuable commodity in ancient Israel, used for cooking, anointing, and lighting lamps. Mixing oil with flour in the grain offering signifies the blending of human effort (flour) with divine blessing and presence (oil). Olive oil is often associated with the Holy Spirit in Scripture, symbolizing anointing and consecration, pointing to the work of the Spirit in the life of believers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The primary audience of the book of Numbers, receiving instructions on how to live and worship as God's chosen people.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, through whom God communicated His laws and instructions.

3. The Tabernacle
The central place of worship for the Israelites, where offerings and sacrifices were made.

4. Offerings
Specific 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 Obedience
The Israelites were called to follow God's specific instructions for offerings, demonstrating their obedience and reverence.

Symbolism of the Grain Offering
The grain offering symbolizes dedication and thanksgiving to God, acknowledging His provision and sustenance.

Holiness in Worship
The detailed requirements for offerings remind us of the holiness required in worship and the need for purity in approaching God.

Christ as the Fulfillment
The sacrificial system points to Christ, who fulfills the law and offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Generosity and Sacrifice
The 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 2
Provides detailed instructions on grain offerings, emphasizing the importance of offerings in Israelite worship.

Exodus 29
Describes the consecration of priests and the role of offerings in maintaining holiness and relationship with God.

Hebrews 10
Discusses the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Christ, highlighting the transition from Old Testament offerings to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
God Giving Laws for the Distant FutureD. Young Numbers 15:1-16
People
Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Egypt, Wilderness of Paran
Topics
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, Tenth
Dictionary 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 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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