Leviticus 2:9

And the priest shall take from the meat offering a memorial thereof, and shall burn [it] upon the altar: [it is] an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

And the priest {H3548} shall take {H7311} from the meat offering {H4503} a memorial {H234} thereof, and shall burn {H6999} it upon the altar {H4196}: it is an offering made by fire {H801}, of a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381} unto the LORD {H3068}.

The cohen is to remove the reminder portion of the grain offering and make it go up in smoke on the altar as an offering made by fire, a fragrant aroma for ADONAI.

The priest is to remove the memorial portion from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

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.

Commentary

Leviticus 2:9 is part of the detailed instructions for the grain offering (often translated as "meat offering" in the King James Version) within the Mosaic Law. This particular verse describes a crucial step in the offering's presentation to the LORD.

Context

The Book of Leviticus meticulously outlines the various sacrifices and offerings that the Israelites were to bring to God, serving as a means of worship, atonement, and fellowship. The grain offering (Hebrew: minchah) was typically made of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense, and was a voluntary offering of thanksgiving and dedication. Unlike the blood sacrifices which dealt with sin, the grain offering symbolized the dedication of one's labor and sustenance to God. Verse 9 specifies that a portion of this offering, known as the "memorial portion," was to be burned on the altar by the priest, signifying its acceptance by God.

Key Themes

  • The Memorial Portion: The priest took a designated part of the grain offering, referred to as a "memorial thereof" (Hebrew: azkarah). This portion was symbolic, representing the entire offering and serving as a reminder before God of the worshiper's devotion and the gift being presented. It underscored the principle that a part was offered to sanctify the whole.
  • Offerings Made by Fire: Burning the offering on the altar was the prescribed method for its presentation to God. The fire symbolized divine consumption and purification, transforming the physical offering into a spiritual act of worship. This ritual was essential for all offerings that produced a "sweet savour."
  • A Sweet Savour Unto the LORD: The phrase "sweet savour" (Hebrew: reah nihoah, meaning "pleasing aroma" or "soothing aroma") indicates God's acceptance and pleasure in the offering. It signifies that the offering was presented correctly, from a pure heart, and was therefore agreeable to Him. This concept of a pleasing aroma is also applied to other sacrifices, indicating divine approval and fellowship, such as the burnt offering in Leviticus 1:9.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation of "meat offering" can be misleading to modern readers, as "meat" here refers to food in general, not animal flesh. The original Hebrew word is minchah (ืžึดื ึฐื—ึธื”), which more accurately means a grain offering or meal offering. This offering was distinct from animal sacrifices and was a non-blood offering, often accompanying other sacrifices or presented independently as a token of gratitude and dependence on God. The term "sweet savour" (reah nihoah) is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe sacrifices that were acceptable and pleasing to God, denoting His favor and satisfaction.

Practical Application

While the specific rituals of the Old Testament sacrificial system are no longer practiced by Christians, as they were fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind them remain timeless. Leviticus 2:9 teaches us about offering our best to God. The "memorial portion" reminds us to dedicate a significant part of our livesโ€”our talents, resources, and timeโ€”to Him, recognizing that everything we have comes from His hand. Furthermore, the idea of a "sweet savour" encourages us to live lives that are pleasing to God, not just through outward acts but with a sincere heart. As believers, our lives are called to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. The ultimate "sweet savour" was Christ Himself, who offered Himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 2:2

    And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, [to be] an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:

  • Philippians 4:18

    But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

  • Leviticus 6:15

    And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which [is] upon the meat offering, and shall burn [it] upon the altar [for] a sweet savour, [even] the memorial of it, unto the LORD.

  • Exodus 29:18

    And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it [is] a burnt offering unto the LORD: it [is] a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

  • Romans 15:16

    That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

  • Philippians 2:17

    Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

  • Ephesians 5:2

    And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
โ† Back