The Church Fathers on this verse

Exodus 29:40Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

With one lamb a tenth part of flour tempered with beaten oil, of the fourth part of a hin, and wine for libation of the same measure.

Douay-Rheims

וְעִשָּׂרֹ֨ן סֹ֜לֶת בָּל֨וּל בְּשֶׁ֤מֶן כָּתִית֙ רֶ֣בַע הַהִ֔ין וְנֵ֕סֶךְ רְבִעִ֥ית הַהִ֖ין יָ֑יִן לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ הָאֶחָֽד׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

The tenth portion of wheat flour combined with oil symbolizes the body of Immanuel, which is free from any spiritual wounds due to its separation from sin. The mention of "the libation of the fourth part .... ina... to the one ram" suggests the inclusion of the four elements within the body of Immanuel, from which the sacred libation, which consecrates those who receive it, is derived.

Wlastow G.K.

19th centuryCommentator

From that time onward, the regular offerings on the altar commenced. Distinct from all other offerings, this particular sacrifice was perpetually presented as a burnt offering, and none of the priests or any other individuals were permitted to consume any portion of it. Each morning and evening, two lambs were offered, accompanied by a grain offering of an omer (or more accurately, a gomor) of flour, which constituted one-tenth of an ephah. It was mixed with a quarter of a hin of pure oil (noting that a hin amounts to one-sixth of an ephah) and along with this, a quarter of a guin of wine was also provided for libations.

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Based on the calculations in the English Bible, an omer of flour weighs approximately three and a half pounds; a guin corresponded to four pints, meaning a quarter of a guin is about one pint, roughly equating to two bottles. Evidently, all the offerings were incinerated, and the wine was poured out upon or in proximity to the altar of burnt offerings, as noted by Josephus. One detail is certain: it was prohibited on the altar of incense.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.