Definition: And their meat offering [shall be of] flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, [and] two tenth deals to one ram,
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 29:9 together. It’s a pretty detailed description of how the Israelites were to prepare their sacrificial offering – specifically, a lamb – for God. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, they were going to offer a portion of the lamb that was about 1/3 of its weight, and another 2/3 of its weight, to God. Let’s unpack each part: “And their meat offering [shall be] flour mingled with oil…” – This means they would combine the lamb’s flesh with a mixture of flour and oil. The oil is a sign of reverence and a way for the Israelites to show that they were offering a pure, dedicated sacrifice. “…three tenth deals to a bullock…” - “Deals” in this context refers to a specific amount – roughly 1/3 of the whole lamb’s weight. A “bullock” is a large, strong animal like a cow or goat. This means they were offering three-quarters of the lamb's weight. “…and two tenth deals to one ram…” - “Deals” again refers to another portion – roughly 2/3 of the lamb’s weight. A “ram” is a large, sturdy animal, similar to a goat. This means they were offering two-thirds of the lamb's weight. So, what was the overall purpose? This verse describes a specific ritual used in the Old Testament – the Leviticus ceremony. It’s a way for the Israelites to demonstrate their obedience to God and receive blessings from him. By offering this specific portion of the lamb, they were saying, "We are giving you our offering, and we are offering it with respect and devotion." In short: They were providing a significant amount of the lamb’s flesh, with a defined ratio of flour and oil, as a testament to their worship of God. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse was important in ancient Israel? Compare it to another similar ritual or practice in the Bible?