עִשָּׂרוֹן
(fractional) a tenth part
Definition
The Hebrew word עִשָּׂרוֹן (ʻissârôwn) is a precise unit of dry measure, specifically a 'tenth part' of an ephah. It is used exclusively in the context of the Mosaic sacrificial system to measure out grain offerings, such as fine flour, oil, and frankincense. For example, in the daily burnt offering, one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour was required (Exodus 29:40, Numbers 28:5). The measure also appears in purification rituals, as seen in the offerings for a cleansed leper (Leviticus 14:10, 21). This standardized measure ensured consistency and fairness in worship.
Biblical Usage
This word is used 22 times, exclusively in the Torah (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers), within detailed instructions for sacrifices and offerings. It is a technical term in priestly legislation, always specifying the exact quantity of grain or oil to be presented to God. Key patterns include its use in the daily offerings (Numbers 28-29), the grain offering accompanying the burnt offering (Leviticus 23:13), and the showbread (Leviticus 24:5). It is never used in narrative or poetic contexts, only in legal and ritual prescriptions.
Etymology
Derived from the masculine noun עֶשֶׂר (ʿeser, H6235), meaning 'ten.' The suffix -וֹן (-ôn) forms a diminutive or fractional noun, thus creating the meaning 'a tenth part' or 'a little ten.' It is directly related to the concept of tithing, though עִשָּׂרוֹן itself refers to a specific dry measure, not the tithe (which is מַעֲשֵׂר, maʿaser).
Semantic Range
The עִשָּׂרוֹן highlights the precision, order, and holiness required in approaching God under the Mosaic covenant. Its exact measurement underscores that worship is not to be haphazard but offered according to God's specific commands. It points to the principle of giving God our best in a prescribed manner. For the Christian reader, it foreshadows the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, which fulfills and supersedes these detailed ritual requirements (Hebrews 10:1-14).
In ancient Israelite culture, the 'tenth deal' was a practical, standardized unit for commerce and worship, ensuring fairness. An ephah is estimated at about 22 liters (5.8 US gallons), making an עִשָּׂרוֹן roughly 2.2 liters (0.58 gallons). This precise measure prevented ambiguity or cheating in religious offerings, reflecting a society where worship and daily life were deeply integrated through regulated practices.
עֶשֶׂר (ʿeser, H6235) — The cardinal number 'ten,' the root from which the fractional measure is derived. מַעֲשֵׂר (maʿaser, H4643) — Refers to the 'tithe' or 'tenth part' given to God or the Levites, a broader concept of a tenth, not a specific dry measure.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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