Leviticus2

Leviticus chapter two details the regulations for the meat offering, which primarily consists of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. A portion is burned on the altar as a memorial, while the remainder is designated for the priests. The chapter also specifies various preparations, such as baked in an oven or pan, and prohibits leaven and honey, while requiring salt in all meat offerings.
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The Offering of Fine Flour

1
And when any one offereth an oblation of a meal-offering unto Jehovah, his oblation shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: ​
2
and he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests; and he shall take thereout his handful of the fine flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof. And the priest shall burn it as the memorial thereof upon the altar, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah: ​
3
and that which is left of the meal-offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’: it is a thing most holy of the offerings of Jehovah made by fire. ​

Baked Grain Offerings

4
And when thou offerest an oblation of a meal-offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil. ​
5
And if thy oblation be a meal-offering of the baking-pan, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.
6
Thou shalt part it in pieces, and pour oil thereon: it is a meal-offering.
7
And if thy oblation be a meal-offering of the frying-pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil.
8
And thou shalt bring the meal-offering that is made of these things unto Jehovah: and it shall be presented unto the priest, and he shall bring it unto the altar.
9
And the priest shall take up from the meal-offering the memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah.
10
And that which is left of the meal-offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’: it is a thing most holy of the offerings of Jehovah made by fire.

Required Ingredients and Prohibitions

11
No meal-offering, which ye shall offer unto Jehovah, shall be made with leaven; for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire unto Jehovah. ​
12
As an oblation of first-fruits ye shall offer them unto Jehovah: but they shall not come up for a sweet savor on the altar. ​
13
And every oblation of thy meal-offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meal-offering: with all thine oblations thou shalt offer salt. ​

The Offering of Firstfruits

14
And if thou offer a meal-offering of first-fruits unto Jehovah, thou shalt offer for the meal-offering of thy first-fruits grain in the ear parched with fire, bruised grain of the fresh ear. ​
15
And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it is a meal-offering.
16
And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the bruised grain thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

Study Notes for Leviticus 2

Verse 1

The Hebrew word *minḥah* is better translated as 'grain offering' or 'tribute.' Unlike the burnt offering (ch. 1), this offering was voluntary and non-atoning, symbolizing dedication, thanks, and acknowledgment of God's provision.

Verse 2

The 'memorial portion' (*azkarah*) was the small part of the offering burned on the altar. Burning this portion acknowledged that the entire offering, including the part eaten by the priests, belonged ultimately to God.

Verse 3

Offerings designated 'most holy' (*qodesh qodeshim*) were required to be eaten by the priests within the sacred precincts of the tabernacle court, emphasizing their unique sanctity and separation.

Verse 4

The variety of preparatory methods (oven, pan, frying pan) suggests that the law provided flexibility, allowing individuals of different means and domestic capabilities to fulfill the requirements.

Verse 11

Leaven (yeast) often symbolized corruption or sin, while honey could cause fermentation. Their exclusion ensured the offering remained pure and uncorrupted when presented on the altar.

Verse 12

This verse provides an exception: while leaven and honey were prohibited from being burned on the altar (v. 11), they were permitted in the offering of firstfruits presented to the priests.

Verse 13

Salt was mandatory, symbolizing permanence, purity, and enduring faithfulness (the 'salt of the covenant'). It represented the unbreakable, purifying nature of the relationship between God and Israel.

Verse 14

This specific instruction details the offering of early, processed grain, emphasizing that the first and best of agricultural labor must be dedicated to the Lord.

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