Leviticus 23:13
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The instruction to offer "two tenth deals" of flour, double the usual amount, isn't just about quantity; it highlights that this offering is a response to abundant harvest. This doubled portion, mixed with oil, emphasizes gratitude for God's provision and the desire to express it generously.
And the grain offering with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, a food offering to the LORD with a pleasing aroma, and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, a fourth of a hin.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse details the specific offerings accompanying the wave sheaf ceremony, which marked the beginning of the grain harvest. It follows instructions for presenting the firstfruits and a lamb as a burnt offering, and immediately precedes the prohibition against eating any of the new harvest until this offering is made. The context is the list of appointed feasts and festivals God gave to Israel, each with its unique significance and prescribed rituals.
Why did the grain offering for this feast require double the usual amount of flour?
The typical grain offering for a lamb sacrifice was one tenth of an ephah of fine flour. However, for the Feast of Firstfruits, the offering doubled to two tenths of an ephah.
A Reflection of Abundance
This increased measure wasn't arbitrary. It directly reflected the abundance of God's provision in the harvest. It was a tangible way for the Israelites to say, "Lord, you've blessed us with so much, so we offer you more in return."
A Symbol of Generosity
Beyond just mirroring the harvest's bounty, this double portion also called for a spirit of generosity from the people. It was a reminder that their thankfulness should be proportionate to the blessings received. It wasn't just about giving back a portion; it was about giving back from a place of overflow.
What's the significance of the 'pleasing aroma' and the wine offering?
The offerings in Leviticus were designed to engage multiple senses and aspects of worship. The grain offering, when burned on the altar, produced a 'pleasing aroma' to the Lord. This wasn't about God needing a pleasant smell, but about it symbolizing the acceptance and delight God took in the people's act of worship and thanksgiving.
The Offering of Joy
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The accompanying drink offering of wine further amplified this. Wine, often associated with joy and celebration, was poured out before the Lord. This act of libation represented not just gratitude for the harvest but also a pouring out of their own hearts in joyful devotion.
Understand the original words
min·ḥāh · Hebrew Noun
A sacrifice of agricultural produce (usually flour and oil) offered to the Lord in recognition of His provision and sovereignty over the harvest.
rê·aḥ nî·ḥō·aḥ · Hebrew Noun phrase
A metaphor used in sacrificial law to indicate that an offering is pleasing to God and that He accepts it as a sincere expression of worship.
ne·seḵ · Hebrew Noun
A ritual act involving the pouring out of wine as a libation, typically accompanying other sacrifices, signifying a complete surrender or joy before the Lord.
This passage identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, drawing a parallel to the unblemished lambs offered as sacrifices, which the grain and drink offerings accompanied.
Romans 11:16Paul refers to the concept of the 'firstfruits' being holy, which then makes the whole 'lump' holy, directly echoing the principle behind the Levitical offerings like the one described here.
1 Corinthians 10:16This verse speaks of the 'cup of blessing' that believers share, which is a spiritual parallel to the literal drink offerings of wine that accompanied the grain offerings in the Old Testament.
Philippians 4:18Paul describes his own offerings to God as a 'fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to him,' mirroring the 'pleasing aroma' described for the offerings in Leviticus.
Revelation 5:12This verse extols Jesus Christ as worthy to receive 'wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing,' which can be seen as the ultimate fulfillment of the worship and adoration expressed through these ancient offerings.
calvinLeviticus 23:1-44: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
Alloquere filios Israel, et dic eis, Quum ingressi fueritis terrain quam ego do vobis, et messueritis messem ejus, tunc offeretis omnes primitias messis vestrae ad sacerdotem.
And he shall wave the shea…
pooleLeviticus 23:13: "And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin."
Two tenth deals, or, parts , to wit, of an ephah, i. e. two omers, whereas in other sacrifices of lambs there was but one tenth deal prescribed, Numbers 15:4 . The reason of which disproportion may be this, that one of the tenth deals was a necessary attenda…
The instruction to offer "two tenth deals" of flour, double the usual amount, isn't just about quantity; it highlights that this offering is a response to abundant harvest. This doubled portion, mixed with oil, emphasizes gratitude for God's provision and the desire to express it generously.
This verse details the specific offerings accompanying the wave sheaf ceremony, which marked the beginning of the grain harvest. It follows instructions for presenting the firstfruits and a lamb as a burnt offering, and immediately precedes the prohibition against eating any of the new harvest until this offering is made. The context is the list of appointed feasts and festivals God gave to Israel, each with its unique significance and prescribed rituals.
This verse details the specific offerings accompanying the wave sheaf ceremony, which marked the beginning of the grain harvest. It follows instructions for presenting the firstfruits and a lamb as a burnt offering, and immediately precedes the prohibition against eating any of the new harvest until this offering is made. The context is the list of appointed feasts and festivals God gave to Israel, each with its unique significance and prescribed rituals.
"And the grain offering with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, a food offering to the LORD with a pleasing aroma, and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, a fourth of a hin." — The instruction to offer "two tenth deals" of flour, double the usual amount, isn't just about quantity; it highlights that this offering is a response to abundant harvest. This doubled portion, mixe…
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Last reviewed October 2026
