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.

And he shall take {H7311} of it his handful {H7062}, of the flour {H5560} of the meat offering {H4503}, and of the oil {H8081} thereof, and all the frankincense {H3828} which is upon the meat offering {H4503}, and shall burn {H6999} it upon the altar {H4196} for a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381}, even the memorial {H234} of it, unto the LORD {H3068}.

He is to take from the grain offering a handful of its fine flour, some of its olive oil and all of the frankincense which is on the grain offering; and he is to make this reminder portion of it go up in smoke on the altar as a fragrant aroma for ADONAI.

The priest is to remove a handful of fine flour and olive oil, together with all the frankincense from the grain offering, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

And he shall take up therefrom his handful, of the fine flour of the meal-offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meal-offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor, as the memorial thereof, unto Jehovah.

Commentary

Leviticus 6:15 details a specific instruction for the priests regarding the grain offering (often translated as "meat offering" in the KJV). This verse outlines the portion of the offering that was to be presented to the Lord on the altar, emphasizing the sacredness and purpose of this act within ancient Israelite worship.

Context

This verse is part of a longer section in Leviticus (chapters 6-7) that provides detailed instructions for the priests concerning the various offerings. While chapters 1-5 give the general laws for the people, chapters 6-7 focus on the priestly duties and their portion of the sacrifices. Leviticus 6:15 specifically addresses the grain offering (Hebrew: minchah), which typically consisted of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, and was often presented as an act of thanksgiving or devotion. The priest was to take a symbolic "handful" of this offering to burn on the altar, representing the entire offering given to God.

Key Themes

  • The Priest's Role: The verse highlights the priest's essential function as an intermediary between God and the people, meticulously handling the sacred offerings according to divine instruction.
  • The Memorial Portion: The burning of a "handful" as a "memorial" (Hebrew: azkarah) signifies a portion set aside to remind God (figuratively) of the worshiper's devotion and to acknowledge His covenant. It was a symbolic representation of the entire offering being presented to Him.
  • A "Sweet Savour" to the LORD: The burning of this portion on the altar produced a "sweet savour," indicating God's acceptance and pleasure in the offering when it was made according to His commands. This concept underscores the idea of worship being pleasing to God. The sacrifice of Christ is later described in similar terms, signifying ultimate acceptance.
  • Holiness and Precision: The specific instructions for taking a "handful," including the flour, oil, and frankincense, emphasize the meticulousness and holiness required in approaching God through the sacrificial system.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Meat Offering": In the King James Version, "meat offering" is a traditional translation of the Hebrew word minchah (ืžึดื ึฐื—ึธื”), which more accurately means "grain offering" or "meal offering." It did not involve animal flesh but typically consisted of flour, oil, and frankincense. Understanding this distinction is crucial for interpreting the Old Testament sacrificial system.
  • "Sweet Savour": The Hebrew phrase is reah nichoach (ืจึตื™ื—ึท ื ึดื™ื—ึนื—ึท), meaning "a soothing aroma" or "pleasing odor." This denotes God's favorable reception and acceptance of the offering, not that God literally smells an aroma, but that the act of obedience and worship was agreeable to Him.
  • "Memorial": The Hebrew term azkarah (ืึทื–ึฐื›ึผึธืจึธื”) refers to a "remembrance portion" or "memorial offering." It was a part of the offering set aside to be burned on the altar, serving as a reminder or token before God, signifying the worshiper's devotion and the covenant relationship.

Practical Application

While the literal grain offerings are no longer practiced today due to Christ's perfect and complete sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-14), the principles behind Leviticus 6:15 remain relevant:

  • Giving Our Best to God: The "handful" represented the best and a portion of the worshiper's substance. Today, this translates to offering our best in terms of time, talents, resources, and devotion to the Lord.
  • Worship as a "Sweet Savour": Our worship, prayer, and acts of obedience, when done in sincerity and faith, are pleasing to God. Like the ancient sacrifices, our spiritual offerings should be presented with reverence and a desire for divine acceptance.
  • Living as a Memorial: Our lives, dedicated to God, can serve as a "memorial" โ€“ a testament to His goodness and our commitment. Romans 12:1 encourages believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual act of worship.
  • The Priesthood of Believers: In the New Covenant, all believers are considered priests (1 Peter 2:9), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, and good deeds (Hebrews 13:15-16).
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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 2:9

    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.

  • 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:
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