Leviticus 23:18

And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, [even] an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD.

And ye shall offer {H7126} with the bread {H3899} seven {H7651} lambs {H3532} without blemish {H8549} of the first {H1121} year {H8141}, and one {H259} young {H1241}{H1121} bullock {H6499}, and two {H8147} rams {H352}: they shall be for a burnt offering {H5930} unto the LORD {H3068}, with their meat offering {H4503}, and their drink offerings {H5262}, even an offering made by fire {H801}, of sweet {H5207} savour {H7381} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Along with the bread, present seven lambs without defect one year old, one young bull and two rams; these will be a burnt offering for ADONAI, with their grain and drink offerings, an offering made by fire as a fragrant aroma for ADONAI.

Along with the bread you are to present seven unblemished male lambs a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They will be a burnt offering to the LORD, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings—an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

And ye shall present with the bread seven lambs without blemish a year old, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be a burnt-offering unto Jehovah, with their meal-offering, and their drink-offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah.

Commentary

Leviticus 23:18 details a specific set of animal and grain offerings commanded by God to be presented during the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost or Shavuot. These offerings accompanied the two loaves of leavened bread, symbolizing the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, offered to the LORD.

Context

This verse is found within Leviticus chapter 23, which meticulously outlines the seven annual feasts, or "appointed times" (Hebrew: mo'adim), that the LORD commanded Israel to observe. The Feast of Weeks marked the culmination of the grain harvest, coming fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits. Unlike some other offerings, these specific sacrifices were prescribed in addition to the regular daily offerings, highlighting the unique significance of this festival. The instructions here are closely paralleled in Numbers 28:27-29, reinforcing their importance.

Key Themes

  • Completeness and Abundance: The offering of "seven lambs," along with a bullock and two rams, signifies a significant and comprehensive sacrifice. The number seven often represents completeness or perfection in biblical numerology.
  • Holiness and Purity: The requirement for animals to be "without blemish" underscores the demand for perfection and purity in approaching a holy God. This standard was crucial for any acceptable sacrifice in the Old Testament sacrificial system.
  • Divine Acceptance: Described as "a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, [even] an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD," these sacrifices were intended to be pleasing and acceptable to God. This phrase, "sweet savour," frequently appears in connection with offerings that brought reconciliation or fellowship with God.
  • Thanksgiving and Devotion: As part of a harvest festival, these offerings expressed profound gratitude for God's provision. The burnt offering (Hebrew: 'olah, meaning "that which goes up") was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete devotion and surrender to the LORD.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Burnt offering": The Hebrew term is 'olah, signifying an offering that ascends entirely to God as smoke, representing total dedication and atonement.
  • "Meat offering": This KJV translation is better understood as a "grain offering" (Hebrew: minchah), typically made of flour, oil, and frankincense, accompanying animal sacrifices.
  • "Sweet savour": The Hebrew phrase reyach nichoach literally means "a restful aroma" or "pleasing scent." It conveys God's satisfaction and acceptance of the offering, indicating that it met His requirements and served its intended purpose of reconciliation or worship.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind these offerings remain relevant.

  1. Offering Our Best: The "without blemish" requirement challenges believers today to offer God our very best – our time, talents, and resources – not just what is convenient or leftover.
  2. Gratitude and Worship: Just as the Israelites expressed gratitude for their harvest, we are called to offer thanks for God's spiritual and physical provisions (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Our worship should be a "sweet savour" to Him, arising from sincere hearts.
  3. Christ, Our Ultimate Sacrifice: These detailed instructions for animal sacrifices foreshadow the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His single offering on the cross made full atonement for sin, fulfilling the temporary nature of the Old Covenant rituals (Hebrews 9:12). We now offer "spiritual sacrifices" (Romans 12:1) of praise and service.

Reflection

Leviticus 23:18, though seemingly a dry list of ancient rituals, powerfully communicates God's desire for holy worship, complete devotion, and heartfelt gratitude from His people. It points to a God who establishes specific ways for humanity to approach Him and anticipates the ultimate offering that would make all others unnecessary: the perfect sacrifice of His Son.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 15:4

    Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth [part] of an hin of oil.

  • Numbers 15:12

    According to the number that ye shall prepare, so shall ye do to every one according to their number.

  • Malachi 1:13

    Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness [is it]! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought [that which was] torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

  • Malachi 1:14

    But cursed [be] the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I [am] a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name [is] dreadful among the heathen.

  • Numbers 28:27

    But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;

  • Numbers 28:31

    Ye shall offer [them] beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.

  • Leviticus 23:12

    And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.
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