What Does Numbers 28:29 Mean in the King James?

A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs;

Numbers 28:29 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The repeated “tenth” assigns one measured portion to each lamb; the seven do not share a single tenth.

THE MEANING

The measure is one tenth for each lamb, repeated across all seven. The total takes shape through seven distinct, equal portions, each tied to one lamb.

THE ROOT

עִשָּׂרוֹן

issaron

GROWS FROM

עשר

ʿ-ś-r

ten; the number from which “tenth” is formed

“tenth deal” in this verse is issaron. The Hebrew repeats ⁨עִשָּׂרוֹן⁩ (issaron), “a tenth,” then assigns that measure to one lamb across all seven. The repeated unit makes the distribution visible: each lamb has its own tenth.

ALSO GROWS

ʿeser: ten

עֶשֶׂר

This is the number at the root of the measure repeated for each lamb.

maʿaser: tithe; a tenth portion

מַעֲשֵׂר

This related word also carries the idea of a tenth, showing how the root names a share measured from a whole.

THE PATTERN

A whole arrangement becomes concrete through a measured share assigned to each part.

And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

Exodus 16:18 · KJVThe gathered whole meets each person through a measured portion suited to that person.

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Matthew 25:15 · KJVThe resources are distributed as distinct amounts, with a share assigned to each person.

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 12:11 · KJVOne source distributes distinct portions to each person.

THE THREAD

Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

Deuteronomy 14:22 · KJV

The “tenth” in Numbers and “tithe” in Deuteronomy grow from ⁨עשר⁩ (ʿ-ś-r), “ten.” Numbers assigns the tenth lamb by lamb; Deuteronomy names the tenth as a share of the whole increase.

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