Numbers 15:21
Numbers 15:21 in Multiple Translations
Throughout your generations, you are to give the LORD an offering from the first of your dough.
Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations.
Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto Jehovah a heave-offering throughout your generations.
From generation to generation you are to give to the Lord a lifted offering from the first of your rough meal.
For all future generations, you are to give the Lord an offering from the first of your flour.
Of the first of your dowe ye shall giue vnto the Lord an heaue offring in your generations.
Of the beginning of your dough ye do give to Jehovah a heave-offering — to your generations.
Of the first of your dough, you shall give to the LORD a wave offering throughout your generations.
Of the first of your dough ye shall give to the LORD a heave-offering in your generations.
So also shall you give firstfruits of your dough to the Lord.
Every year, you and your descendants must continue to make and bring to me a loaf of bread baked [MTY] with flour from the first part of the grain that you harvest.’”
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 15:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 15:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מֵ/רֵאשִׁית֙
עֲרִסֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם
תִּתְּנ֥וּ
לַ/יהוָ֖ה
תְּרוּמָ֑ה
לְ/דֹרֹ֖תֵי/כֶֽם
מֵ/רֵאשִׁית֙
rêʼshîyth
H7225
first
Prep | N-fs
עֲרִסֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם
ʻărîyçâh
H6182
dough
N-fp | Suff
תִּתְּנ֥וּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
לַ/יהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
תְּרוּמָ֑ה
tᵉrûwmâh
H8641
contribution
N-fs
לְ/דֹרֹ֖תֵי/כֶֽם
dôwr
H1755
generation
Prep | N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 15:21
מֵ/רֵאשִׁית֙
rêʼshîyth
H7225
"first"
Prep | 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.
עֲרִסֹ֣תֵי/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.
תִּתְּנ֥וּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לַ/יהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
תְּרוּמָ֑ה
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.
לְ/דֹרֹ֖תֵי/כֶֽם
dôwr
H1755
"generation"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a period of time or a generation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people living at the same time. In the book of Psalms, it describes a generation of people who follow God.
Definition: 1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling 1a) period, age, generation (period of time) 1b) generation (those living during a period) 1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men) 1d) dwelling-place, habitation Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity. See also: Genesis 6:9; Esther 9:28; Psalms 10:6.
Study Notes — Numbers 15:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Laws about Offerings
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— 23all that the LORD has commanded you through Moses from the day the LORD gave them and continuing through the generations to come—Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 29:28 | This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites, for it is the heave offering the Israelites will make to the LORD from their peace offerings. |
| 2 | Numbers 18:26 | “Speak to the Levites and tell them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you as your inheritance, you must present part of it as an offering to the LORD—a tithe of the tithe. |
Numbers 15:21 Summary
This verse is telling us to give God the best and the first of what we have, just like the Israelites were instructed to give an offering from the first of their dough. This means putting God first in every area of our lives, including our work and our finances (as seen in Matthew 6:33). By doing so, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God and we are giving back to Him out of gratitude and obedience. As we prioritize God in our daily lives, we can trust that He will provide for us and bless us, as promised in Philippians 4:19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by 'the first of your dough' in Numbers 15:21?
The phrase 'the first of your dough' refers to the first portion of bread or baked goods made from the flour, symbolizing giving God the best and the first of our resources, as seen in Proverbs 3:9-10, where we are instructed to honor God with our firstfruits.
Why is giving an offering from the first of our dough important?
Giving an offering from the first of our dough is important because it acknowledges God's provision and sovereignty over our lives, as stated in Deuteronomy 8:18, where it says God gives us the power to produce wealth.
Is this command only for the Israelites or does it apply to believers today?
While this specific command was given to the Israelites, the principle of giving God the first and the best applies to believers today, as seen in 2 Corinthians 9:7, where we are encouraged to give cheerfully and generously to God's work.
How does this verse relate to our daily lives as Christians?
This verse reminds us to prioritize God in every aspect of our lives, including our daily work and provision, as Colossians 3:23-24 instructs us to do everything for the Lord and remember that we serve Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of giving God the first and the best in my own life?
- How does remembering that everything I have comes from God affect my attitude towards giving and generosity?
- What are some areas where I have been withholding the 'first of my dough' from God, and how can I begin to surrender those to Him?
- In what ways can I honor God with my resources, time, and talents, just as the Israelites were instructed to give an offering from their dough?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 15:21
Of the first of your dough shall ye give unto the Lord,.... As an acknowledgment of his being the sovereign Lord and possessor of heaven and earth, and of his being the owner and proprietor of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 15:21
Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 15:21
17–21. The offering of ‘the first of ‘arîsôth.’ The law deals with some species of meal-offering. But the meaning of ‘arîsôth (R.V. ‘dough,’ marg. ‘coarse meal’) is obscure. It occurs elsewhere only in Ezekiel 44:30, Nehemiah 10:37. A similar word ‘arsân in Talmudic writings denotes ‘a porridge or paste made from the meal of barley or wheat,’ which was said to be good for invalids and infants.
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 15:21
ALTAR RITUAL, Numbers 15:1-29.The chief peculiarity of this supplement is, that it is not to be obligatory in the wilderness, but in the land of your habitations, that is, Canaan.