Leviticus 23:13
along with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil--an offering made by fire to the LORD, a pleasing aroma--and its drink offering of a quarter hin of wine.
along with its grain offering
The Hebrew term for "grain offering" is "minchah," which signifies a gift or tribute. In the context of Leviticus, it represents an offering of gratitude and dedication to God. The grain offering symbolizes the fruits of human labor and the acknowledgment of God's provision. It is a reminder that all sustenance comes from the Lord, and it is an act of worship to offer back a portion of what He has provided.

two-tenths of an ephah
An "ephah" is an ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about 5.8 gallons. "Two-tenths" of an ephah would be approximately 4.4 liters or 1.16 gallons. This specific measurement underscores the precision and intentionality in worship. It reflects the importance of following God's instructions meticulously, as each detail in the offerings has spiritual significance.

of fine flour
The Hebrew word for "fine flour" is "solet," which refers to the finest, most refined flour. This indicates that God deserves the best of what we have to offer. The use of fine flour in offerings symbolizes purity and excellence, reminding believers to present their best selves and resources to God.

mixed with oil
Oil, often olive oil in biblical times, is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and anointing. Mixing oil with the fine flour signifies the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. It also represents joy, richness, and the consecration of the offering, making it acceptable to God.

an offering made by fire
The phrase "made by fire" indicates that the offering is to be completely consumed by flames, symbolizing total dedication and surrender to God. Fire in the Bible often represents God's presence and purification. This act of burning the offering signifies the transformation and purification of the worshiper through divine interaction.

to the LORD
The Hebrew name used here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. Offering to the LORD is an act of entering into a deeper relationship with Him, acknowledging His sovereignty and faithfulness.

a pleasing aroma
The concept of a "pleasing aroma" is a metaphor for the acceptability of the offering to God. It signifies that the offering, when given with a sincere heart, is delightful to the Lord. This imagery encourages believers to live lives that are a "pleasing aroma" to God, characterized by obedience and devotion.

and its drink offering
The "drink offering," or "nesek" in Hebrew, typically consisted of wine poured out as a libation. It complements the grain offering and signifies the pouring out of one's life in service to God. This act of pouring out symbolizes sacrifice, joy, and the fullness of life dedicated to the Lord.

of a quarter hin of wine
A "hin" is an ancient unit of liquid measure, approximately 3.8 liters or 1 gallon. A "quarter hin" would be about 0.95 liters or 1 quart. Wine, in biblical symbolism, represents joy, celebration, and the blood of the covenant. The specific measure again highlights the importance of precision in worship and the joy that comes from a life poured out in service to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The central figure to whom the offerings are made, representing the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

2. Israelites
The people of God who are commanded to observe these offerings as part of their worship and obedience.

3. Grain Offering
A specific type of offering made with fine flour and oil, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving to God.

4. Drink Offering
A libation of wine poured out as part of the sacrificial system, symbolizing joy and celebration in God's presence.

5. Tabernacle/Temple
The place where these offerings were made, representing God's dwelling among His people.
Teaching Points
Understanding the Sacrificial System
The grain and drink offerings were integral to Israel's worship, symbolizing dedication, thanksgiving, and joy in God's presence.

Symbolism of the Offerings
The fine flour and oil represent purity and the work of the Holy Spirit, while the wine signifies joy and celebration in God's provision.

Christ as the Fulfillment
Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Living Sacrifices
As believers, we are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices, dedicating ourselves wholly to God's service.

Joyful Worship
Our worship should be characterized by joy and gratitude, reflecting the spirit of the drink offering.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do the grain and drink offerings in Leviticus 23:13 reflect the Israelites' relationship with God?

2. In what ways does the sacrificial system in Leviticus point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

3. How can we apply the concept of being a "living sacrifice" in our daily lives, as described in Romans 12?

4. What role does joy play in our worship, and how can we cultivate a spirit of gratitude in our relationship with God?

5. How does understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system enhance our appreciation of Christ's work on the cross?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 29
Describes the consecration of priests and the offerings required, providing context for the sacrificial system.

Numbers 15
Expands on the regulations for grain and drink offerings, emphasizing their role in Israel's worship.

Hebrews 10
Discusses the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Christ, highlighting the temporary nature of these offerings.

Romans 12
Encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament offerings.

Psalm 51
David's prayer for a pure heart, emphasizing that God desires a contrite spirit over ritual sacrifices.
The FestivalsR.A. Redford Leviticus 23:1-44
Feasts of the LordW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 23:2-44
God's FestivalsHenry, MatthewLeviticus 23:2-44
God's Holy DaysHenry, MatthewLeviticus 23:2-44
Seven Feasts Mentioned in This ChapterD. C. Hughes, M. A.Leviticus 23:2-44
The Great FeastsJ. C. Gray.Leviticus 23:2-44
The Holy FestivalsJ. A. Seiss, . D. D.Leviticus 23:2-44
The PassoverJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 23:4-14
Provision and PietyW. Clarkson Leviticus 23:9-14
The Feast of the FirstfruitsR.M. Edgar Leviticus 23:9-14
The First Sheaf a Wave Offering of the HarvestR.A. Redford Leviticus 23:9-14
The Conditions of the Spiritual Land-TenureH. T. Edwards, M. A.Leviticus 23:9-15
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Aroma, Best, Cereal, Deals, Drink, Drink-offering, Ephah, Fine, Fire, Fire-offering, Flour, Fourth, Fragrance, Grain, Hin, Meal, Meal-offering, Meat, Meat-offering, Mingled, Mixed, Oblation, Odor, Odour, Offered, Offering, Oil, Pleasant, Pleasing, Present, Quarter, Savor, Savour, Smell, Soothing, Sweet, Tenth, Tenth-parts, Tenths, Thereof, Two-tenths, Wine
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 23:13

     5183   smell
     7350   drink offering

Leviticus 23:9-20

     4442   firstfruits

Leviticus 23:9-22

     8644   commemoration

Leviticus 23:10-16

     4464   harvest

Leviticus 23:12-13

     4544   wine
     5617   measures, liquid
     7357   Feast of Firstfruits

Library
The Consecration of Joy
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 34. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. 35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord; on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
IT was the last, the great day of the Feast,' and Jesus was once more in the Temple. We can scarcely doubt that it was the concluding day of the Feast, and not, as most modern writers suppose, its Octave, which, in Rabbinic language, was regarded as a festival by itself.' [3987] [3988] But such solemn interest attaches to the Feast, and this occurrence on its last day, that we must try to realise the scene. We have here the only Old Testament type yet unfilfilled; the only Jewish festival which has
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes - Examination of their Distinctive Doctrines.
APART from the repulsively carnal form which it had taken, there is something absolutely sublime in the continuance and intensity of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. It outlived not only the delay of long centuries, but the persecutions and scattering of the people; it continued under the disappointment of the Maccabees, the rule of a Herod, the administration of a corrupt and contemptible Priesthood, and, finally, the government of Rome as represented by a Pilate; nay, it grew in intensity
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Chronology
45. The length of the public ministry of Jesus was one of the earliest questions which arose in the study of the four gospels. In the second and third centuries it was not uncommon to find the answer in the passage from Isaiah (lxi. 1, 2), which Jesus declared was fulfilled in himself. "The acceptable year of the Lord" was taken to indicate that the ministry covered little more than a year. The fact that the first three gospels mention but one Passover (that at the end), and but one journey to Jerusalem,
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

"But if the Spirit of Him that Raised up Jesus from the Dead Dwell in You, He that Raised up Christ from the Dead Shall Also
Rom. viii. 11.--"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." It is true the soul is incomparably better than the body, and he is only worthy the name of a man and of a Christian who prefers this more excellent part, and employs his study and time about it, and regards his body only for the noble guest that lodges within it, and therefore it is one of the
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus Living at Nazareth and visiting Jerusalem in his Twelfth Year.
(Nazareth and Jerusalem, a.d. 7 or 8.) ^C Luke II. 40-52. ^c 40 And the child grew [This verse contains the history of thirty years. It describes the growth of our Lord as a natural, human growth (compare Luke i. 80); for, though Jesus was truly divine, he was also perfectly man. To try to distinguish between the divine and human in Jesus, is to waste time upon an impracticable mystery which is too subtle for our dull and finite minds], and waxed strong [His life expanded like other human lives.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law and Many Others.
(at Capernaum.) ^A Matt. VIII. 14-17; ^B Mark I. 29-34; ^C Luke IV. 38-41. ^c 38 And he arose out of the synagogue [where he had just healed the demoniac], ^b 29 And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came { ^c entered} ^b into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [Peter and Andrew had dwelt at Bethsaida (John i. 44). They may have removed to Capernaum, or Bethsaida, being near by, may be here counted as a part, or suburb, of Capernaum. Its name does not contradict
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
(from Bethany to Jerusalem and Back, Sunday, April 2, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 1-12, 14-17; ^B Mark XI. 1-11; ^C Luke XIX. 29-44; ^D John XII. 12-19. ^c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper] ^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, ^a 1 And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage unto { ^b at} ^a the mount of Olives [The name, Bethphage, is said to mean house of figs, but the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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