Leviticus 2:5

KJV

And if thy oblation [be] a meat offering [baken] in a pan, it shall be [of] fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if thy oblation {H7133} be a meat offering {H4503} baken in a pan {H4227}, it shall be of fine flour {H5560} unleavened {H4682}, mingled {H1101} with oil {H8081}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If your offering is a grain offering cooked on a griddle, it is to consist of unleavened fine flour mixed with olive oil;

Berean Standard Bible

If your offering is a grain offering prepared on a griddle, it must be unleavened bread made of fine flour mixed with oil.

American Standard Version

And if thy oblation be a meal-offering of the baking-pan, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 2:5 meticulously outlines the specific requirements for preparing a grain offering baked in a pan, detailing the essential ingredients and their precise preparation. This particular offering, a voluntary expression of devotion, highlights the divine expectation for purity, dedication, and the offering of one's finest in worship, underscoring that all that is presented to God must be unblemished, consecrated, and of the highest quality for sacred use.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 2 is entirely dedicated to the *minchah*, or grain offering, a voluntary offering distinct from the burnt offering of [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering"), which primarily focused on atonement. The chapter begins with general instructions for the grain offering in [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1-3 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - General Grain Offering Regulations"), specifying the use of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, with a portion being burned on the altar and the remainder allocated to the priests. Following these general guidelines, [Leviticus 2:4-7](/leviticus/2-4-7 "Leviticus 2:4-7 - Specific Baked Grain Offerings") provides detailed instructions for grain offerings prepared in various baked forms: an oven-baked offering in [Leviticus 2:4](/leviticus/2-4 "Leviticus 2:4 - Oven-baked Grain Offering"), a pan-baked offering in [Leviticus 2:5](/leviticus/2-5 "Leviticus 2:5 - Pan-baked Grain Offering"), and a griddle-baked offering in [Leviticus 2:7](/leviticus/2-7 "Leviticus 2:7 - Griddle-baked Grain Offering"). Across all these variations, the consistent requirements for unleavened fine flour mingled with oil reinforce the overarching principles of purity, consecration, and the offering of one's best to God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, grain was a fundamental staple, symbolizing sustenance, the fruit of labor, and the divine provision that sustained life. The grain offering, therefore, served as a natural and profound expression of gratitude and dependence upon Yahweh for daily bread and agricultural blessings. As a "bloodless" offering, it often conveyed themes of peace, fellowship, and dedication, contrasting with the sin-atoning animal sacrifices. The specified methods of preparation—baking in an oven, pan, or griddle—were common culinary techniques of the era, reflecting everyday life brought into sacred space. The requirement for "fine flour" (Hebrew: *çôleth*) denoted the highest quality, meticulously sifted, reserved for sacred purposes, paralleling the command to offer the firstfruits of the harvest to God, as seen in [Exodus 23:19](/exodus/23-19 "Exodus 23:19 - Offering the Firstfruits"). The strict prohibition against leaven (yeast) was paramount, as leaven frequently symbolized corruption, decay, or sin in biblical thought, particularly in contexts of holiness and purity, a principle vividly illustrated in the [Passover regulations](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover Account"). Olive oil (*shemen*), a valuable commodity, was used for anointing, illumination, and food, symbolizing consecration and the divine presence. These precise instructions ensured that Israel's worship was distinct from pagan practices, approaching God with reverence and offering their very best in a divinely prescribed manner.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 2:5 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Central is the theme of **Holiness**, emphasizing God's absolute purity and His demand for holiness from His people and in their worship ([Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")). The meticulous instructions for the grain offering, particularly the requirements for "fine flour" and "unleavened" ingredients, underscore the necessity of **Purity and Perfection** in approaching God. This theme extends beyond ritual to moral and spiritual purity. The offering also highlights **Gratitude and Devotion**, as the *minchah* was a voluntary expression of thanks for God's provision and a dedication of one's labor and life. Finally, the inclusion of "oil" points to the theme of **Consecration and Divine Presence**, signifying that the offering, and by extension the worshiper, is set apart by God and empowered by His Spirit. These themes collectively teach that true worship is not merely ritualistic but involves a pure heart, a dedicated life, and a recognition of God's holy character.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Oblation (Hebrew, _qorbân'_):** From the root *qarab*, meaning "to draw near," *qorbân* (H7133) refers to "something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present." In this context, it is a general term for any offering or gift presented to God, highlighting the act of bringing something from oneself to the divine presence as an act of worship or dedication.
* **Meat offering (Hebrew, _minchâh'_):** The KJV term "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew *minchâh* (H4503), which more accurately means "a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)." In Leviticus, it denotes a bloodless offering of grain, flour, or baked goods, distinguishing it from animal sacrifices. This term emphasizes that the offering is a gift from the worshiper to God, a token of homage, gratitude, or devotion, rather than a sacrifice involving animal flesh.
* **Pan (Hebrew, _machăbath'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to bake," *machăbath* (H4227) specifically refers to "a pan for baking in." This detail specifies the exact culinary utensil to be used for this particular preparation of the grain offering, indicating the meticulousness required in the sacrificial system and the variety of acceptable methods for presenting the offering.
* **Fine flour (Hebrew, _çôleth'_):** From an unused root meaning "to strip," *çôleth* (H5560) refers to "flour (as chipped off)." This denotes the highest quality, most refined flour, meticulously sifted to remove impurities. Its inclusion signifies the worshiper's commitment to offering their very best to God, reflecting purity and excellence in worship.
* **Unleavened (Hebrew, _matstsâh'_):** From a root suggesting "greedily devouring for sweetness," *matstsâh* (H4682) properly means "sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e. not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf." The consistent requirement for unleavened offerings in Leviticus, particularly in grain offerings, carries significant symbolic weight. Leaven (yeast) was often associated with fermentation, corruption, and decay, and thus came to symbolize sin, malice, or hypocrisy in biblical thought. Its exclusion from the *minchâh* underscored the necessity of purity, sincerity, and freedom from corruption in approaching a holy God.
* **Mingled (Hebrew, _bâlal'_):** A primitive root, *bâlal* (H1101) means "to overflow (specifically with oil); by implication, to mix." This verb emphasizes that the oil is not merely poured over the flour but thoroughly incorporated into it, signifying a complete permeation. This thorough mixing symbolizes the complete consecration of the offering and, by extension, the worshiper's life to God, enabled and empowered by divine presence.
* **Oil (Hebrew, _shemen'_):** From a root meaning "to be fat," *shemen* (H8081) refers to "grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness." In the context of offerings, oil symbolizes anointing, consecration, and the presence or empowering of the Holy Spirit. Its inclusion in the grain offering signifies that the offering, and by extension the worshiper, is set apart, made holy, and infused with divine blessing, representing the Spirit's role in making worship acceptable and lives dedicated to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if thy oblation [be] a meat offering [baken] in a pan":** This opening clause establishes the specific context for the instructions that follow. It addresses the scenario where a worshiper chooses to bring a *qorbân* (oblation) in the form of a *minchâh* (grain offering) that has been prepared by baking it in a *machăbath* (pan). This highlights the variety of acceptable preparations for the grain offering, each with its own precise requirements, underscoring the divine order and the worshiper's freedom to choose a specific mode of offering within prescribed boundaries.
* **"it shall be [of] fine flour unleavened":** This phrase details the foundational ingredients for this pan-baked offering. The use of "fine flour" (*çôleth*) indicates the highest quality, meticulously sifted, representing the worshiper's commitment to offering their very best to God. The "unleavened" (*matstsâh*) requirement, as discussed in the key word analysis, emphasizes purity, sincerity, and the absence of corruption, ensuring the offering is holy and acceptable before the Lord, free from anything that symbolizes decay or sin.
* **"mingled with oil":** This final phrase describes the precise method of combining the ingredients. The "fine flour" is not merely to be anointed with oil after baking, but *mingled* (*bâlal*) with it during preparation. This thorough mixing signifies a complete permeation of the flour by the oil. Symbolically, this represents the complete consecration of the offering and the worshiper's life to God, enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The oil's presence indicates divine anointing and setting apart for sacred use, making the offering spiritually rich and acceptable.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 2:5 is rich in its use of literary devices, primarily serving to convey the precise nature of divine requirements. **Prescription** is the most prominent device, as the verse functions as a direct command or instruction, detailing the exact ingredients and preparation methods for a specific ritual. This prescriptive language reflects the authoritative and meticulous nature of God's law. The various components of the offering function as powerful **Symbolism**: the "fine flour" symbolizes the worshiper's offering of their absolute best and purest; the "unleavened" nature symbolizes purity, sincerity, and freedom from the corruption of sin; and the "oil" symbolizes consecration, anointing, and the indwelling or empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. The distinction between baking methods (oven, pan, griddle, as seen in the broader context of [Leviticus 2:4-7](/leviticus/2-4-7 "Leviticus 2:4-7 - Baked Grain Offerings")) employs **Categorization**, providing a structured framework for understanding the diverse forms of the grain offering while maintaining consistent underlying principles of purity and dedication. Ultimately, the entire act of offering, with its specific components and meticulous preparation, serves as a profound **Metaphor** for the worshiper's heart and life being presented to God—a life characterized by purity, dedication, and dependence on divine anointing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 2:5, though embedded in ancient Israelite ritual law, communicates timeless theological truths regarding the nature of worship and humanity's approach to a holy God. It profoundly teaches that genuine worship necessitates intentionality, purity of heart, and the offering of one's absolute best. The grain offering, representing the fruit of human labor and God's bountiful provision, symbolizes the dedication of our lives, our resources, and our very selves to the Lord. The specific requirements for unleavened flour and oil underscore the critical need for a pure heart, free from the "leaven" of sin, hypocrisy, and malice, and a life consecrated and empowered by the Holy Spirit. These principles transcend the specific ritualistic context, calling believers across all generations to a life of authentic devotion and unwavering holiness in every aspect of their being.

* [Exodus 12:15](/exodus/12-15 "Unleavened Bread in Passover")
* [Proverbs 3:9](/proverbs/3-9 "Honor the Lord with your wealth")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 2:5 serves as a profound challenge for believers today, prompting us to deeply consider the quality and sincerity of our offerings to God. While the physical act of bringing grain offerings to a temple is no longer practiced, the spiritual principles of presenting our "fine flour," being "unleavened," and being "mingled with oil" remain profoundly relevant for Christian life and worship. This verse compels us to examine whether we are truly giving God our best—our undivided time, unique talents, material resources, and deepest affections—or merely offering Him our leftovers or what is convenient. It urges us to honestly assess our hearts: are we approaching Him with genuine purity, actively striving to identify and root out the "leaven" of sin, compromise, and hypocrisy that can subtly corrupt our walk with Him? Furthermore, are we intentionally allowing the "oil" of the Holy Spirit to permeate and consecrate every dimension of our being, empowering our worship, guiding our decisions, and enabling our service? This ancient instruction is a timeless call to wholehearted, Spirit-empowered devotion, serving as a powerful reminder that God desires not merely our outward actions, but our very selves, offered in holiness and truth, as a fragrant aroma pleasing to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I consciously or unconsciously holding back my "fine flour" from God, offering less than my absolute best?**
* **What "leaven" (sin, impurity, malice, or hypocrisy) do I need to prayerfully identify and diligently remove from my heart and daily actions to offer purer and more acceptable worship to God?**
* **How am I actively seeking to be "mingled with oil," allowing the Holy Spirit to deeply permeate, consecrate, and empower every aspect of my daily life, relationships, and worship?**
* **How does the meticulousness of God's ancient instructions for offerings inform my contemporary understanding of His desire for intentionality, reverence, and excellence in my personal worship and service to Him?**

### FAQ

**Why was leaven forbidden in most offerings but allowed in some, like the peace offering ([Leviticus 7:13](/leviticus/7-13 "Leviticus 7:13 - Leavened Bread with Peace Offering"))?**

Answer: The prohibition of leaven in most offerings, particularly the grain offering, primarily symbolized purity, the absence of corruption, and freedom from sin. Leaven, associated with fermentation and decay, often represented moral impurity, malice, or hypocrisy in biblical symbolism, as highlighted in passages like [1 Corinthians 5:6-8](/1_corinthians/5-6-8 "1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - The Leaven of Malice and Evil"). Its exclusion from offerings like the grain offering emphasized that worship and offerings presented to a holy God must be pure, uncorrupted, and sincere. However, leaven was indeed permitted in certain offerings, specifically in the bread accompanying the peace offering ([Leviticus 7:13](/leviticus/7-13 "Leviticus 7:13 - Leavened Bread with Peace Offering")) and the two loaves presented during the Feast of Weeks ([Leviticus 23:17](/leviticus/23-17 "Leviticus 23:17 - Two Leavened Loaves for Feast of Weeks")). In these particular instances, the leavened bread was typically not burned on the altar as a "food offering to the Lord" but was consumed by the priests and offerers. This distinction signifies a meal of fellowship, thanksgiving, and communion that acknowledged the reality of human imperfection even in the context of fellowship with God. It underscored that while the *offering itself* needed to be pure and unblemished, the *meal* shared in God's presence could include elements of everyday life, acknowledging the ongoing need for grace and the reality of living in a fallen world even while seeking to draw near to a holy God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 2:5, with its exacting requirements for the grain offering, finds its most profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "fine flour" perfectly points to Christ's impeccable humanity and His sinless life, representing the purest, most excellent, and unblemished offering imaginable, without blemish or spot, as affirmed in [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ"). He is the ultimate "unleavened" offering, utterly free from the leaven of sin, corruption, and hypocrisy, perfectly embodying the purity required for acceptable worship, as highlighted in [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest"). Unlike the limited grain offerings of the Old Covenant, which could not truly atone for sin, Christ's perfect life and singular, sacrificial death on the cross provide the complete and final atonement, making us pure and righteous before God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Furthermore, the "oil" thoroughly mingled with the flour powerfully foreshadows the anointing of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. He was conceived by the Spirit ([Luke 1:35](/luke/1-35 "Luke 1:35 - The Holy Spirit and the Son of God")) and empowered by Him throughout His earthly ministry, enabling His perfect obedience and miraculous works ([Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - Jesus Anointed with the Holy Spirit")). As the perfect grain offering, Jesus offered Himself completely and without reservation to God, not merely a portion, thereby becoming the fragrant aroma and acceptable sacrifice to God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). Through faith in Him, believers are now enabled by the indwelling Spirit to offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, permeated by the Spirit, reflecting the purity, dedication, and Spirit-empowered life perfectly exemplified by our Lord ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 6:21

In a pan it shall be made with oil; [and when it is] baken, thou shalt bring it in: [and] the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer [for] a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Leviticus 7:9

And all the meat offering that is baken in the oven, and all that is dressed in the fryingpan, and in the pan, shall be the priest's that offereth it.