King James Version

What Does Numbers 28:14 Mean?

Numbers 28:14 in the King James Version says “And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fo...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.”

Numbers 28:14 · KJV

Context

12

And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram;

13

And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

14

And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year.

15

And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

16

And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.

Read Numbers 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Half an hin of wine (חֲצִי הַהִין יַיִן, chatzi hahin yayin)—a hin was approximately 1 gallon, so half a hin equals 2 quarts. The drink offerings (נֶסֶךְ, nesek) accompanied grain and burnt offerings, symbolizing joy and celebration (Psalm 104:15). Wine, a luxury in an agrarian economy, showed that God deserved the best, not leftovers.

The proportional system—½ hin per bullock, ⅓ hin per ram, ¼ hin per lamb—balanced equity with ability. God's worship system was neither egalitarian (everyone gave the same) nor arbitrary, but proportional to blessing received. Every month throughout the months of the year—this monthly rhythm prevented worship from becoming merely annual routine, establishing regular consecration of time to Yahweh.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Monthly new moon offerings continued throughout Israel's history (1 Samuel 20:5; 2 Kings 4:23; Isaiah 1:13-14; Ezekiel 46:6). By the intertestamental period, Rosh Chodesh became a semi-festival. These monthly markers prefigured the Christian practice of regular Lord's Supper observance, maintaining consistent rhythms of remembrance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the proportional nature of offerings challenge both legalism (rigid uniformity) and cheap grace (minimal sacrifice)?
  2. What regular rhythms of worship keep faith from becoming merely occasional or crisis-driven?
  3. How does the use of wine in Old Testament worship inform Christian understanding of the Lord's Supper?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְנִסְכֵּיהֶ֗ם1 of 18

“And their drink offerings”

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

חֲצִ֣י2 of 18

“shall be half”

H2677

the half or middle

הַהִ֛ין3 of 18

“an hin”

H1969

a hin or liquid measure

יִֽהְיֶ֨ה4 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לַפָּ֜ר5 of 18

“unto a bullock”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

וּשְׁלִישִׁ֧ת6 of 18

“and the third”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

הַהִ֛ין7 of 18

“an hin”

H1969

a hin or liquid measure

לָאַ֗יִל8 of 18

“unto a ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וּרְבִיעִ֥ת9 of 18

“and a fourth”

H7243

fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth

הַהִ֛ין10 of 18

“an hin”

H1969

a hin or liquid measure

לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ11 of 18

“unto a lamb”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

יָ֑יִן12 of 18

“of wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

זֹ֣את13 of 18
H2063

this (often used adverb)

עֹלַ֥ת14 of 18

“this is the burnt offering”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

לְחָדְשֵׁ֖י15 of 18

“of every month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

לְחָדְשֵׁ֖י16 of 18

“of every month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

לְחָדְשֵׁ֖י17 of 18

“of every month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשָּׁנָֽה׃18 of 18

“of the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 28:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

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