Leviticus 6:20

This [is] the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the LORD in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.

This is the offering {H7133} of Aaron {H175} and of his sons {H1121}, which they shall offer {H7126} unto the LORD {H3068} in the day {H3117} when he is anointed {H4886}; the tenth part {H6224} of an ephah {H374} of fine flour {H5560} for a meat offering {H4503} perpetual {H8548}, half {H4276} of it in the morning {H1242}, and half {H4276} thereof at night {H6153}.

"This is the offering for ADONAI that Aharon and his sons are to offer on the day he is anointed: two quarts of fine flour, half of it in the morning and half in the evening, as a grain offering from then on.

β€œThis is the offering that Aaron and his sons must present to the LORD on the day he is anointed: a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a regular grain offering, half of it in the morning and half in the evening.

This is the oblation of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto Jehovah in the day when he is anointed: the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering perpetually, half of it in the morning, and half thereof in the evening.

Commentary

Leviticus 6:20 details a specific offering required for Aaron and his sons on the day of their anointing as priests. This particular instruction falls within the broader context of the laws concerning various offerings and the duties of the priesthood, emphasizing the sanctity and perpetual nature of their service to the LORD.

Context

This verse is part of a detailed section (Leviticus 6:8-7:38) that provides additional instructions to the priests regarding the handling of sacrifices previously outlined in chapters 1-5. Specifically, Leviticus 6:20-23 outlines a unique offering required for the high priest and his successors upon their consecration. It's distinct from the regular daily communal offerings, marking a personal and perpetual commitment from the priestly line. The act of anointing signifies their divine appointment and dedication to God's service, setting them apart for sacred duties.

Key Themes

  • Priestly Consecration and Dedication: The offering marks the solemn beginning of the high priest's service, symbolizing their complete dedication to God. It underscores that even those who serve God must first dedicate themselves and their resources to Him.
  • Perpetual Offering and Daily Devotion: The requirement for this offering to be "perpetual" (daily, half in the morning and half at night) highlights the ongoing, continuous nature of the priest's devotion and responsibility. It was a daily reminder of their consecrated status and dependence on God, much like the daily burnt offering for the community.
  • Purity and Holiness: The use of "fine flour" (sōlet in Hebrew), typically associated with the highest quality and purity, reflects the holy nature of the priesthood and the offerings they presented. This offering was entirely burned, signifying complete devotion to God, with no portion eaten by the priests or the offerer, unlike some other grain offerings.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "meat offering" in the KJV (Hebrew: minchah) is more accurately translated as a "grain offering" or "tribute offering." It typically consisted of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, often accompanying burnt offerings or serving as a standalone offering (as described in Leviticus 2:1). This specific priestly grain offering was unique in that it was to be wholly burned, unlike most other grain offerings from which priests typically ate a portion.
  • An "ephah" was a standard unit of dry measure in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or about half a bushel. A "tenth part of an ephah" was therefore a relatively small but significant measure of fine flour, emphasizing the consistent, daily nature of the offering rather than its sheer quantity.

Practical Application

While the Levitical priesthood and its specific offerings have been fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind this verse remain profoundly relevant for believers today:

  • Daily Dedication: Just as the priests had a perpetual offering, believers are called to a continuous, daily walk of dedication to God. This echoes Paul's exhortation to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
  • Quality of Service: The use of "fine flour" teaches us to offer our best to God in our service, worship, and daily lives. Our commitment should be of the highest quality, not merely what is convenient or leftover.
  • Dependence on God: The daily nature of the offering reinforced the priest's constant dependence on God for their sustenance and authority. Similarly, we are reminded to seek God daily for guidance, strength, and provision.

Leviticus 6:20, therefore, is not just a historical instruction but a timeless reminder of the call to consistent, dedicated, and high-quality service to the Lord, rooted in a daily relationship with Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 29:2

    And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: [of] wheaten flour shalt thou make them.

  • Exodus 16:36

    Now an omer [is] the tenth [part] of an ephah.

  • Numbers 28:3

    And thou shalt say unto them, This [is] the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, [for] a continual burnt offering.

  • Exodus 29:35

    And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to his sons, according to all [things] which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou consecrate them.

  • Exodus 29:42

    [This shall be] a continual burnt offering throughout your generations [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

  • Hebrews 7:27

    Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

  • Leviticus 2:1

    ΒΆ 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:
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