Numbers 15:20
Numbers 15:20 in Multiple Translations
From the first of your dough, you are to lift up a cake as a contribution; offer it just like an offering from the threshing floor.
Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.
Of the first of your dough ye shall offer up a cake for a heave-offering: as the heave-offering of the threshing-floor, so shall ye heave it.
Of the first of your rough meal you are to give a cake for a lifted offering, lifting it up before the Lord as the offering of the grain-floor is lifted up.
You are to give some of the flour you make into loaves as a gift—present it just like an offering from the threshing floor.
Ye shall offer vp a cake of the first of your dowe for an heaue offring: as the heaue offring of the barne, so ye shall lift it vp.
the beginning of your dough a cake ye heave up — a heave-offering; as the heave-offering of a threshing-floor, so ye do heave it.
Of the first of your dough you shall offer up a cake for a wave offering. As the wave offering of the threshing floor, so you shall heave it.
Ye shall offer a cake of the first of your dough for a heave-offering: as ye do the heave-offering of the threshing-floor, so shall ye heave it.
Of the things you eat. As you separate firstfruits of your barnfloors:
Each year set aside some of the first grain that you gather after you have threshed it. Bake a loaf of bread from the first flour that you grind and bring it to me to be a sacred offering.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 15:20
BAB
Word Study
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Numbers 15:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רֵאשִׁית֙
עֲרִסֹ֣תֵ/כֶ֔ם
חַלָּ֖ה
תָּרִ֣ימוּ
תְרוּמָ֑ה
כִּ/תְרוּמַ֣ת
גֹּ֔רֶן
כֵּ֖ן
תָּרִ֥ימוּ
אֹתָֽ/הּ
רֵאשִׁית֙
rêʼshîyth
H7225
first
N-fs
עֲרִסֹ֣תֵ/כֶ֔ם
ʻărîyçâh
H6182
dough
N-fp | Suff
חַלָּ֖ה
challâh
H2471
bun
N-fs
תָּרִ֣ימוּ
rûwm
H7311
to exalt
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
תְרוּמָ֑ה
tᵉrûwmâh
H8641
contribution
N-fs
כִּ/תְרוּמַ֣ת
tᵉrûwmâh
H8641
contribution
Prep | N-fs
גֹּ֔רֶן
gôren
H1637
threshing floor
N-cs
כֵּ֖ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
תָּרִ֥ימוּ
rûwm
H7311
to exalt
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
אֹתָֽ/הּ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 15:20
רֵאשִׁית֙
rêʼshîyth
H7225
"first"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the beginning or first part of something, like the firstfruits of a harvest. It is used in Exodus 23:19 to describe the best of the harvest. The idea is to give God the best.
Definition: : beginning 1) first, beginning, best, chief 1a) beginning 1b) first 1c) chief 1d) choice part Also means: re.shit (רֵאשִׁית ": best" H7225H)
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: beginning, chief(-est), first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing. See also: Genesis 1:1; Job 42:12; Psalms 78:51.
עֲרִסֹ֣תֵ/כֶ֔ם
ʻărîyçâh
H6182
"dough"
N-fp | Suff
This term refers to a mixture of flour and water, or dough, used for baking bread. It can also mean a coarse meal or a kneading trough.
Definition: 1) dough, meal, coarse meal, kneading trough 1a) meaning uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: dough. See also: Numbers 15:20; Nehemiah 10:38; Ezekiel 44:30.
חַלָּ֖ה
challâh
H2471
"bun"
N-fs
A cake or bun was a type of food, often pierced or perforated, mentioned in the Bible as a common food item.
Definition: cake, cake (if pierced) (probably perforated)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: cake. See also: Exodus 29:2; Leviticus 8:26; 2 Samuel 6:19.
תָּרִ֣ימוּ
rûwm
H7311
"to exalt"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.
תְרוּמָ֑ה
tᵉrûwmâh
H8641
"contribution"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a contribution or offering given to God, often as part of a sacrifice or tribute. It appears in Leviticus and Numbers, where it describes the gifts the Israelites gave to God. This word highlights the importance of giving to God.
Definition: 1) contribution, offering 1a) a heave offering 1b) any offering 1c) an offering to God 1d) an offering (of grain, money, etc) 1e) contribution
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: gift, heave offering (shoulder), oblation, offered(-ing). See also: Exodus 25:2; Numbers 31:29; Proverbs 29:4.
כִּ/תְרוּמַ֣ת
tᵉrûwmâh
H8641
"contribution"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a contribution or offering given to God, often as part of a sacrifice or tribute. It appears in Leviticus and Numbers, where it describes the gifts the Israelites gave to God. This word highlights the importance of giving to God.
Definition: 1) contribution, offering 1a) a heave offering 1b) any offering 1c) an offering to God 1d) an offering (of grain, money, etc) 1e) contribution
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: gift, heave offering (shoulder), oblation, offered(-ing). See also: Exodus 25:2; Numbers 31:29; Proverbs 29:4.
גֹּ֔רֶן
gôren
H1637
"threshing floor"
N-cs
A threshing floor is an open area where grain is separated from chaff, as seen in the book of Ruth. This word can also refer to a barn or empty space. The KJV Bible translates it as floor or place.
Definition: 1) threshing-floor 2) (TWOT) barn, barn floor, corn floor, void place
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: (barn, corn, threshing-) floor, (threshing-, void) place. See also: Genesis 50:10; 1 Kings 22:10; Isaiah 21:10.
כֵּ֖ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
תָּרִ֥ימוּ
rûwm
H7311
"to exalt"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.
אֹתָֽ/הּ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
Study Notes — Numbers 15:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 15:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 15:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 15:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 15:20
- Barnes' Notes on Numbers 15:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
- Sermons on Numbers 15:20
Context — Laws about Offerings
18“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land to which I am bringing you
19and you eat the food of the land, you shall lift up an offering to the LORD.
20From the first of your dough, you are to lift up a cake as a contribution; offer it just like an offering from the threshing floor.
21Throughout your generations, you are to give the LORD an offering from the first of your dough. 22Now if you stray unintentionally and do not obey all these commandments that the LORD has spoken to Moses—Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 2:14 | If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, you shall offer crushed heads of new grain roasted on the fire. |
| 2 | Exodus 34:26 | Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.” |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 26:2–10 | you are to take some of the firstfruits of all your produce from the soil of the land that the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name, to the priest who is serving at that time, and say to him, “I declare today to the LORD your God that I have entered the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.” Then the priest shall take the basket from your hands and place it before the altar of the LORD your God, and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor. So we called out to the LORD, the God of our fathers; and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, toil, and oppression. Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders. And He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land that You, O LORD, have given me.” Then you are to place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before Him. |
| 4 | Leviticus 23:10 | “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘When you enter the land that I am giving you and you reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest. |
| 5 | Nehemiah 10:37 | Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 44:30 | The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes. |
| 7 | Leviticus 23:14–17 | You must not eat any bread or roasted or new grain until the very day you have brought this offering to your God. This is to be a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live. From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you are to count off seven full weeks. You shall count off fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD. Bring two loaves of bread from your dwellings as a wave offering, each made from two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with leaven, as the firstfruits to the LORD. |
| 8 | Proverbs 3:9–10 | Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. |
| 9 | Exodus 23:19 | Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. |
| 10 | Matthew 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. |
Numbers 15:20 Summary
This verse is telling us to give God the first and best of what we have, just like we would offer a special gift to someone we love and respect. It's a way of saying thank you to God for providing for us and acknowledging that everything we have comes from Him (Psalm 24:1). By giving God the first of our dough, we are showing that we trust Him to provide for our needs and that we want to honor Him with our lives (Matthew 6:33). This is not just about giving money, but about giving God our time, talents, and hearts as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of lifting up a cake as a contribution from the first of our dough?
This act symbolizes giving God the first and best of what we have, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty in our lives, as seen in Deuteronomy 26:1-11 and Proverbs 3:9-10.
How does this verse relate to the concept of tithing?
The idea of offering the first of our dough as a contribution is closely tied to the principle of tithing, where we give a tenth of our increase to God, as commanded in Leviticus 27:30-32 and Malachi 3:10.
What is the threshing floor mentioned in this verse?
The threshing floor refers to the place where grain was separated from chaff, symbolizing the separation of the sacred from the profane, as seen in Ruth 3:2-13 and 1 Samuel 23:1.
Is this command still applicable to believers today?
While the specific command to offer a cake from the first of our dough may not be directly applicable, the principle of giving God the first and best of what we have remains a vital part of our worship and stewardship, as taught in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and 1 Timothy 5:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can practically apply the principle of giving God the first and best of what I have in my daily life?
- How can I ensure that my giving is not just a ritual, but a genuine expression of worship and gratitude to God?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be withholding the 'first of my dough' from God, and how can I surrender them to Him?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of stewardship and my responsibility to use my resources for God's glory?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 15:20
Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough [for] an heave offering,.... Of the first dough made of the first corn that was threshed, winnowed and ground, they were to make a cake, and offer
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 15:20
Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
i.e. Of the corn in the threshing-floor, as , when you have gathered in your corn. So shall ye heave it, i.e. you shall offer this in the same proportion, to the same persons, i.e. the priests, and with the same rites.
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
Numbers 15:20 Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough [for] an heave offering: as [ye do] the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.Ver. 20. Ye shall offer up a cake.] As a homage penny, as acknowledging God the chief Lord of all; and as craving his leave to partake of his creatures.
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
(20) Of the first of your dough.—Or, mixed meal. The word arisoth is used only in the plural number, and is found only in Nehemiah 10:37 and Ezekiel 44:30, besides this and the following verse.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
Verse 20. Ye shall offer - the first of your dough] Concerning the offerings of first-fruits, See Clarke on Exodus 22:29.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 15:20
20. the first of your dough] The word rç’shîth ‘the first’ need not necessarily mean ‘first-fruits,’ which were offered annually. It may be simply ‘the first part,’ i.e. a small fixed amount, perhaps at the getting in of each fresh supply for the household.
Barnes' Notes on Numbers 15:20
Dough - “Coarse meal” Nehemiah 10:37; Ezekiel 44:30.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 15:20
20. The first of your dough — This command is not addressed to the nation as in the case of “the sheaf of the firstfruits,” (see Leviticus 23:10, note,) but to every private family, and the Jews
Sermons on Numbers 15:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Day 72, Mark 7 by David Servant | David Servant delivers a sermon on the dangers of man-made doctrines, using the example of the Pharisees who created numerous 'fence laws' to prevent breaking God's commandments. T |
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The Feasts of Jehovah 01 the Sabbath by John W. Bramhall | In this sermon, the speaker provides an outline of the book of Leviticus and its spiritual application to our lives today. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding th |
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The Wave-Sheaf Typical of Christ. by John Gill | John Gill preaches on the significance of the Wave-Sheaf as a type of Christ, illustrating how the rituals of the Jewish feasts foreshadowed Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. H |
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The Feasts of Jehovah 02 the Passover by John W. Bramhall | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being washed in the blood of the Lamb, which is the foundation of God's redemption. The sermon encourages believers to be |
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(1 Peter - Part 24): Venerate All God's Creation by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the verse from Peter, chapter 2, verse 17: "Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king." The speaker emphasizes the import |
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From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Haggai) ch.1 & 2 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the power of speaking the word of God under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that even a few minutes of speaking the burden of |
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(The Spiritual Man) the Law of Blessings by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, Brother Denny discusses the concept of the law of blessings in the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of putting one's will into following God's laws and commands. |