The term "omerful" refers to the measurement of an omer, a unit of dry measure used in ancient Israel. The omer is most notably mentioned in the context of the manna provided by God to the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The omer is equivalent to one-tenth of an ephah, which is approximately 2.3 liters or about 2 quarts.

Biblical References:

1. Exodus 16:16-18 : The omer is introduced in the account of the manna. God instructed the Israelites to gather an omer per person each day. "This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer for each person in your tent.’” The passage emphasizes the sufficiency and provision of God, as each person gathered according to their need, and "whoever gathered much had no excess, and whoever gathered little had no shortfall."

2. Exodus 16:32-36 : The omer is also significant in the preservation of manna as a testimony. Moses instructed Aaron to "Take a jar and fill it with an omer of manna. Then place it before the LORD to be preserved for the generations to come." This act served as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision for the Israelites.

Theological Significance:

The omerful of manna symbolizes God's daily provision and the importance of reliance on Him. The Israelites were taught to trust in God's provision, gathering only what was needed for each day, except on the day before the Sabbath when they gathered a double portion. This daily dependence on God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlighting the importance of faith and obedience.

The omer also serves as a measure of equality and fairness, as seen in the miraculous way that each person had exactly what they needed, regardless of how much they gathered. This reflects the biblical principle that God provides equitably for His people, ensuring that no one has too much or too little.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, the omer was a common unit of measure for dry goods, particularly grains. It was part of the larger system of weights and measures that included the ephah, seah, and hin. Understanding these measurements provides insight into the daily life and economy of the Israelites, as well as the practical aspects of their worship and offerings.

The omer is also associated with the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, which occurs seven weeks after the offering of the first omer of barley during Passover. This period, known as the Counting of the Omer, is a time of anticipation and preparation, culminating in the celebration of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Symbolic Interpretations:

In Christian theology, the omerful of manna is often seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, the Bread of Life. Just as the manna sustained the Israelites physically, Jesus sustains believers spiritually. In John 6:32-35 , Jesus refers to Himself as the true bread from heaven, drawing a parallel between the manna and His own divine provision: "For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

The omerful, therefore, is not only a historical measure but also a rich symbol of God's provision, faithfulness, and the spiritual sustenance found in Christ.6016b. omer -- an omer (a measure)
... Word Origin from the same as omer Definition an omer (a measure) NASB Word Usage
omer (3), omerful* (2), omers (1). 6016a, 6016b. omer. 6017 . ...
/hebrew/6016b.htm - 5k

4393. melo -- fullness, that which fills
... contains (8), all its fullness (1), band (1), contains (1), fill (1), full (11),
fullness (4), handful* (3), handfuls* (2), multitude (1), omerful* (2), which ...
/hebrew/4393.htm - 6k

Omerful (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Omerful (2 Occurrences). Exodus 16:32 And Moses
said, This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded, Let ...
/o/omerful.htm - 7k

Omer (5 Occurrences)

/o/omer.htm - 8k

Omer-full (2 Occurrences)
Omer-full. Omerful, Omer-full. Omers . Multi-Version Concordance Omer-full
(2 Occurrences). ... Omerful, Omer-full. Omers . Reference Bible.
/o/omer-full.htm - 7k

Jar (45 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omerful of manna
therein, and lay it up before Jehovah, to be kept throughout your generations. ...
/j/jar.htm - 21k

Manna (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:32 And Moses said: 'This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded: Let
an omerful of it be kept throughout your generations; that they may see the ...
/m/manna.htm - 21k

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