Leviticus 2:1

¶ And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be [of] fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:

And when any {H5315} will offer {H7126} a meat {H4503} offering {H7133} unto the LORD {H3068}, his offering {H7133} shall be of fine flour {H5560}; and he shall pour {H3332} oil {H8081} upon it, and put {H5414} frankincense {H3828} thereon:

"'Anyone who brings a grain offering to ADONAI is to make his offering of fine flour; he is to pour olive oil on it and put frankincense on it.

“When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering must consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it,

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:

Commentary

Context of Leviticus 2:1

Leviticus 2:1 introduces the regulations for the "meat offering," more accurately translated as the grain offering or meal offering (Hebrew: minchah). This offering was distinct from the burnt offering or sin offering, as it was typically a voluntary act of worship, thanksgiving, or dedication, rather than atonement for sin. It signified a person's devotion and acknowledgment of God's provision, often involving agricultural produce, which was the staple of life in ancient Israel. The instructions here are part of a larger system of sacrifices and offerings laid out in the book of Leviticus, designed to teach the Israelites about holiness, atonement, and drawing near to a holy God in the Tabernacle.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Voluntary Worship and Gratitude: Unlike some mandatory offerings, the grain offering was often presented out of a desire to express thanks and devotion to the LORD for His blessings and sustenance.
  • Purity and Excellence: The requirement for "fine flour" (solet) emphasizes that worship and offerings to God should be of the highest quality and purity. It represented giving God one's very best, not merely leftovers or inferior goods.
  • Consecration and Dedication: The components of the offering—flour, oil, and frankincense—each carried symbolic weight, signifying the dedication of one's produce, life, and prayers to God.
  • God's Provision: The offering of grain acknowledged that all sustenance and blessings come from God's hand. It was a tangible way to honor Him as the ultimate Provider.

Linguistic Insights and Symbolism

The term "meat offering" in the KJV is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word minchah (מִנְחָה), which more broadly means a gift, tribute, or offering, specifically a grain or meal offering in the context of Levitical sacrifices.

  • Fine Flour (solet): This was the best quality flour, milled from the finest wheat. Its purity symbolizes the purity and perfection required in approaching God, and perhaps foreshadows the sinless nature of Christ, the ultimate offering.
  • Oil: The pouring of oil (likely olive oil) upon the flour signifies anointing and consecration. In biblical symbolism, oil frequently represents the presence or anointing of the Holy Spirit, suggesting that true worship is Spirit-empowered and Spirit-led.
  • Frankincense: This aromatic resin, when burned, produced a sweet-smelling smoke. It symbolizes the pleasant aroma of worship, prayer, and devotion ascending to God. The inclusion of frankincense emphasizes the devotional and fragrant aspect of the offering, much like prayer ascending as incense.

Practical Application

While the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:10), the principles behind the grain offering remain relevant for believers today.

  • Offer Our Best: We are called to offer God our "fine flour"—our best talents, time, resources, and efforts—in worship and service, not just what is convenient or leftover.
  • Spirit-Led Devotion: Our worship and service should be "anointed" by the Holy Spirit, reflecting a life consecrated to God and empowered by His presence.
  • Life of Prayer and Praise: Like the frankincense, our lives should be characterized by continuous prayer and praise, creating a pleasing aroma to God.
  • Gratitude for Provision: This verse reminds us to live with a spirit of gratitude, acknowledging that all we have and are comes from God's gracious hand. Our offerings, whether spiritual or material, are responses to His abundant provision.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 6:14 (6 votes)

    ¶ And this [is] the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar.

  • Leviticus 6:18 (6 votes)

    All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. [It shall be] a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.

  • Leviticus 9:17 (4 votes)

    And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt [it] upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.

  • Revelation 8:3 (4 votes)

    And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

  • Isaiah 66:20 (4 votes)

    And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

  • Numbers 7:19 (3 votes)

    He offered [for] his offering one silver charger, the weight whereof [was] an hundred and thirty [shekels], one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:

  • Jude 1:20 (3 votes)

    But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,