עִשָּׂרוֹן (is.sa.ron)
is.sa.ron
tenth
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 22 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun is.sa.ron denotes a tenth part, functioning primarily as a specific dry measure for grain and flour in the Old Testament. Derived from the root for "ten," it represents one-tenth of an ephah, which aligns with the volume of an omer. This precise unit appears frequently in the legal texts of Leviticus and Numbers, where it standardizes the offerings required for various rituals.
Its usage is highly technical rather than general. For instance, Leviticus 14:10 specifies that a leper’s guilt offering must include an is.sa.ron of fine flour mixed with oil. Similarly, the daily and Sabbath grain offerings in Numbers 28 and 29 consistently require this exact tenth portion. The word ensures that sacrificial quantities were uniform across Israelite worship.
Translators typically render is.sa.ron as "tenth deal" or simply "tenth part." This phrasing preserves the mathematical precision of the original text, distinguishing it from broader terms for tithes or general fractions. The consistent application of this measure highlights the structured nature of ancient Israelite religious practice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word is.sa.ron represents a precise tenth part, functioning as a standard dry measure for grain in ancient Israel. It appears frequently in legal texts to specify exact quantities of flour and oil required for ritual offerings. This precision highlights the structured nature of worship, where every detail mattered in maintaining uniformity across the community.
For your faith today, this emphasis on order reminds us that God values consistency and care in how we approach Him. Whether in daily routines or special moments of devotion, bringing our best with thoughtful preparation honors the Creator. The repeated use of this measure shows that even small, regular acts of obedience contribute to a larger pattern of reverence.
Understanding these ancient practices helps us appreciate the seriousness with which Israel treated their relationship with God. It invites us to consider how we might bring order and intentionality into our own spiritual lives, ensuring that our actions reflect genuine devotion rather than mere habit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 22 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tenths [of an ephah]15×
- a tenth7×
- tenths4×
- and/ a tenth of2×
- and/ a tenth [of an ephah]2×
- one tenth [of an ephah]1×
- and/ a tenth1×
- a tenth [of an ephah]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֶשְׂרֹנִים֙4×
- עֶשְׂרֹנִ֗ים4×
- עֶשְׂרֹנִ֔ים4×
- עִשָּׂר֔וֹן4×
- עֶשְׂרֹנִ֜ים3×
- עִשָּׂרוֹן֙3×
- עֶשְׂרֹנִ֑ים2×
- עֶשְׂרֹנִ֛ים1×
- עֶשְׂרֹנִ֖ים1×
- עִשָּׂר֤וֹן1×
- עִשָּׂר֗וֹן1×
- וְ/עִשָּׂרׄוֹן֙1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 29:40
and with the one lamb a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil, and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink offering.
This verse establishes the baseline measurement for the daily lamb offering, setting a standard for regular worship.
-
Leviticus 14:10
“On the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without defect, one ewe lamb a year old without defect, three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, and one log of oil.
Here the is.sa.ron is part of a larger offering for cleansing, showing how specific measurements were tied to restoration and atonement.
-
Numbers 28:9
“‘On the Sabbath day, you shall offer two male lambs a year old without defect, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, and its drink offering:
The Sabbath offering uses this tenth measure, linking the sacred day with consistent, measured acts of praise.
-
Numbers 28:13
and one tenth part of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering to every lamb, as a burnt offering of a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
This occurrence specifies the exact portion for each lamb in a burnt offering, emphasizing individual accountability within the collective ritual.