Why is wine used as a drink offering in Numbers 15:7? Canonical Context Numbers 15:7 – “and for the drink offering you are to present one-third of a hin of wine as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.” Numbers 15 follows the sin-offering legislation (ch. 14) and opens with regulations “when you enter the land” (15:2). The drink offering is absent in the wilderness sacrifices of Exodus–Leviticus and is introduced here as an anticipation of settled, agricultural life in Canaan (cf. Deuteronomy 8:7-10). Measure and Substance • A “hin” is c. 3.6 L; one-third ≈ 1.2 L. • The Hebrew word יַיִן (yayin) denotes fermented grape product, not unfermented juice. • The portion was always poured (“נסך”, nissakh), never drunk by the priests (Numbers 28:7). Agricultural-Covenant Significance 1. Firstfruits in Liquid Form. Grain (solid produce) and wine (liquid produce) together represent the total bounty of the land promised to Abraham (Genesis 27:28). 2. Evidence of Dominion. Vine cultivation demands long-term residence (Isaiah 65:21); pouring wine confesses God’s faithfulness in granting permanency. 3. Harvest Thanksgiving. Wine accompanies the “season of joy” (Deuteronomy 16:13-15); the offering enshrines gratitude in Israel’s liturgy. Symbol of Joy and Blessing Psalm 104:15 teaches that God “gives wine that gladdens the heart of man,” linking wine to legitimate, covenantal joy (cf. Judges 9:13). Presenting that very emblem of gladness back to God publicly acknowledges Him as the source of all satisfaction (Proverbs 3:9-10). Completeness of the Sacrificial Table The three elements—animal flesh, grain, and wine—constitute a full meal (cf. Exodus 24:11). God symbolically receives food and drink, communicating fellowship. The order mirrors human hospitality: meat (protein), bread (staple), wine (beverage). Thus the worshiper testifies that every facet of life belongs to the LORD. Typological Trajectory to Christ 1. Melchizedek’s Bread and Wine (Genesis 14:18) anticipates Christ’s priesthood (Hebrews 7). 2. Messianic Banquet Prophecies (Isaiah 25:6-8) pair rich meat with “well-aged wine.” 3. Jesus’ first sign—water to wine (John 2:1-11)—signals the in-breaking Kingdom. 4. The Last Supper. “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). The poured drink offering prefigures Christ’s blood “poured out” (same LXX verb, ἐκχέω). Hence, the Numbers 15 drink offering is a prophetic shadow of the redemptive outpouring fulfilled at Golgotha and celebrated in Communion. Moral and Disciplinary Guardrails Wine is blessed yet regulated: • Priests must abstain while ministering (Leviticus 10:8-11). • Drunkenness is condemned (Proverbs 20:1; Ephesians 5:18). The offering underscores responsible enjoyment under divine authority. Archaeological Corroboration • Tel Kabri (Northern Israel) unearthed a 1700 B.C. palatial wine cellar with 500+ L of residue matching ancient Canaanite varietals (Aharoni & Koh, 2013). • Khirbet Qeiyafa Iron-Age winepresses demonstrate viticulture in Judah during the united monarchy (Garfinkel, 2019). These finds confirm viticulture precisely where and when Scripture presupposes it. Pastoral Application The drink offering invites believers to: • Acknowledge God’s provision of daily joy. • Celebrate communion with Him through Christ’s poured-out blood. • Anticipate the eschatological banquet where “He will wipe away every tear.” Therefore wine is used in Numbers 15:7 as a multi-layered sign: agricultural gratitude, covenant fellowship, prophetic pointer to the cross, and foretaste of eternal joy. |
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