Numbers 15:10

And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.

Numbers 15:10 (KJV)

Context

God gave Moses detailed instructions for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. Numbers 15:10 belongs to a larger passage about offerings to be made when the people entered the Promised Land. The drink offering was not a standalone sacrifice. It accompanied burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings, forming part of an ordered system of worship.

Meaning

The verse commands half a hin of wine as a drink offering. The hin was a liquid measure, roughly 5.5 liters or 1.5 gallons, so half a hin was about 2 quarts or 2 liters. This amount matched the oil used in the grain offering for a bull, as seen in Numbers 15:9-10. For a lamb, the drink offering was a quarter hin, and for a ram, a third hin. The wine had to be from grapes, not other kinds. The worshipper poured the wine out on the altar as an act of devotion and surrender.

The phrase “sweet savour” means the offering was acceptable and pleasing to God. The Jewish commentator Jarchi noted that the “offering made by fire” referred to the meat offering and oil, for the wine itself was not placed on the fire. The drink offering expressed joy, celebration, and gratitude for God’s provision. It was never sufficient alone but always joined with other offerings.

Biblical connections

The same law applied to foreigners living among the Israelites, as stated in Numbers 15:14-16. This shows that the worship system was open to all who joined the community. The drink offering also points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as a pleasing aroma to God on our behalf. His death and resurrection provide the foundation for our salvation, so we no longer offer animal sacrifices or drink offerings.

Application

First, this verse teaches wholehearted worship. Just as the Israelites gave their best wine, we are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices to God, as Romans 12:1 says. Our worship should cover every part of life, not just formal gatherings. Second, the drink offering reminds us to express gratitude. We should acknowledge God’s goodness and respond with thankful hearts. Third, the offering was always given alongside others, teaching that our devotion is not isolated but part of a faithful community.

Reflection

Consider what you pour out before God. Does your life reflect the joy and surrender that the drink offering symbolized? God values a heart that gives Him the best, not leftovers. Let this verse encourage you to worship with your whole being, to thank Him for His provision, and to trust in Christ’s finished work, who made our offerings acceptable through His own sacrifice.