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.
“‘When anyone offers an offering of a meal offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.
He shall bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests; and he shall take his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and the priest shall burn its memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to the LORD.
“‘When you offer an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
You shall bring the meal offering that is made of these things to the LORD: and it shall be presented to the priest, and he shall bring it to the altar.
“‘No meal offering, which you shall offer to the LORD, shall be made with yeast; for you shall burn no yeast, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to the LORD.
Every offering of your meal offering you shall season with salt; neither shall you allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your meal offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.
“‘If you offer a meal offering of first fruits to the LORD, you shall offer for the meal offering of your first fruits grain in the ear parched with fire, bruised grain of the fresh ear.
The priest shall burn as its memorial, part of its bruised grain, and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense: it is an offering made by fire to the LORD.
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.
Use ←→ arrow keys to navigate
Settings
Reading Style
Typeface
Font Size px
The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Options
Choose a Book
Study Note
Bible Version
Recent History
Get the App
Add TrulyRandomVerse to your home screen for instant access
TRV