Leviticus 8:32

KJV

And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire.

KJV (with Strong's)

And that which remaineth {H3498} of the flesh {H1320} and of the bread {H3899} shall ye burn {H8313} with fire {H784}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whatever is left over of the meat and bread you are to burn up completely.

Berean Standard Bible

Then you must burn up the remainder of the meat and bread.

American Standard Version

And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 8:32 provides the concluding instruction for the proper disposal of any uneaten portions of the consecrated ram and bread from the seven-day ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests. Following the prescribed consumption by the newly consecrated priests at the tabernacle door, any remaining sacred food was to be completely consumed by fire. This command underscored the absolute holiness of the offerings, mandated meticulous obedience in divine service, and prevented any potential defilement or casual treatment of items wholly dedicated to God, thereby finalizing their exclusive devotion to Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 8:32 serves as the culminating directive concerning the consecrated food from the ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons, a process meticulously detailed throughout [Leviticus 8](/leviticus/8 "Leviticus 8 - The Consecration of Aaron and His Sons"). The chapter begins with God's command to Moses to assemble the congregation and consecrate Aaron and his sons, followed by the specific rituals of washing, anointing, and clothing the priests. Various sacrifices, including a sin offering, a burnt offering, and the ram of consecration, are performed. Immediately preceding this verse, [Leviticus 8:31](/leviticus/8-31 "Leviticus 8:31 - Eating the Consecrated Food") instructs Aaron and his sons to eat the flesh of the ram of consecration and the bread from the basket of unleavened bread at the tabernacle door. Verse 32 then addresses the precise disposal of any leftovers, emphasizing that nothing from these sacred offerings was to be treated as common or left to spoil, thereby reinforcing the profound sanctity of the entire consecration process and the offerings involved.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ordination ceremony for the Aaronic priesthood, as recorded in [Leviticus 8](/leviticus/8 "Leviticus 8 - The Consecration of Aaron and His Sons"), was a pivotal event in ancient Israel's religious framework. It formally established the divinely appointed mediators between Yahweh and His people, setting apart a specific lineage for sacred service. In the broader ancient Near East, rituals of consecration often involved elaborate sacrifices and specific protocols for handling sacred objects and food. However, Israel's practices, as divinely commanded, were distinct in their unwavering emphasis on absolute holiness, purity, and the separation of the sacred from the common, contrasting sharply with the often syncretistic or less stringent practices of surrounding pagan cultures. The command to burn remnants, as stipulated in [Leviticus 8:32](/leviticus/8-32 "Leviticus 8:32 - Burning the Remnants"), was not merely a matter of hygiene or waste management but deeply symbolic. It prevented any possibility of defilement, misuse, or appropriation of what was wholly dedicated to God, ensuring the integrity of the covenant relationship and underscoring God's transcendence and His demand for unblemished, reverent worship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing God's absolute separation from anything common or defiled. The meticulous instructions for handling even the leftovers underscore that what is consecrated to God remains holy and must be treated with utmost reverence, reinforcing the distinction between the sacred and the profane (as seen throughout [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguishing Between Holy and Common")). Another crucial theme is **Meticulous Obedience to Divine Command**. The precise instructions for disposal, following detailed instructions for consumption, highlight that God's commands are comprehensive and require unwavering adherence in all matters of worship and service (a principle foundational to the covenant, as in [Deuteronomy 28:1](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1 - Blessings for Obedience")). Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Complete Dedication and Consecration**. The burning ensures that the consecrated items are fully given over to God, leaving no part for human appropriation or casual use, symbolizing a total devotion that leaves no "remnants" for self or the world (echoing principles found in the burnt offering, [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remaineth (Hebrew, _yâthar'_):** This primitive root signifies "to jut over or exceed," and by implication, "to excel," or "to be left." Intransitively, it means "to remain" or "to be left." In the context of sacrificial offerings, it refers specifically to the portions of the consecrated food that were not consumed by the priests within the prescribed time or manner. The use of this word highlights that even the smallest, leftover part of the sacred offering was not to be treated as common or discarded carelessly, but required a specific, divinely ordained method of disposal, underscoring the enduring holiness of the consecrated items.
* **Burn (Hebrew, _sâraph'_):** This primitive root means "to be (causatively, set) on fire," or "to consume by fire." Unlike other Hebrew terms for burning that might imply offering a pleasing aroma (e.g., _qāṭar_), _sâraph_ often carries the connotation of complete destruction or disposal, particularly of things deemed unclean, defiled, or no longer needed in their original form. Here, it signifies the complete removal of the consecrated remnants from human use or potential defilement, ensuring their sacredness is maintained by returning them to an elemental state through fire, thus preventing any profanation.
* **Fire (Hebrew, _ʼêsh'_):** This primitive word refers to "fire" literally or figuratively. In the context of Old Testament sacrifices, fire is a powerful agent of transformation, purification, and consumption. Here, it is the divinely appointed means by which the remaining sacred elements are completely consumed, ensuring their full and irreversible dedication to God and preventing any possibility of misuse or defilement. The use of fire emphasizes the finality and totality of the disposal, underscoring the holiness of the offering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread":** This clause precisely identifies the objects of the command: any uneaten portions of the "ram of consecration" (specifically the breast and the right thigh, designated as the priests' portion) and the "basket of unleavened bread" (which included unleavened cakes, wafers, and a loaf of oiled bread). These items were part of the ordination offerings for Aaron and his sons. The meticulous detail emphasizes that *every* part of the consecrated offering, even the leftovers, was under divine command and could not be treated as common food or discarded casually.
* **"shall ye burn with fire.":** This is the direct, imperative command for disposal. The act of burning signifies a complete and irreversible consumption, ensuring that the sacred elements are not left to spoil, be misused, or become defiled. It powerfully reinforces the absolute holiness of the offerings, which, once consecrated to God, could not revert to common use or be treated with disrespect. This final act of consumption by fire completed the dedication of the offering to God, symbolizing its full and exclusive devotion and preventing any lingering potential for profanation.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity of Leviticus 8:32 belies its rich use of literary devices. **Metonymy** is evident as "flesh and bread" stand for the entire consecrated offerings from the ram of consecration and the basket of unleavened bread, representing the sacred provisions for the newly consecrated priests. The command to "burn with fire" employs profound **symbolism**, as fire consistently represents purification, judgment, and complete consumption in biblical literature. Here, it symbolizes the absolute holiness of the consecrated items and the necessity of their complete dedication to God, preventing any profanation or casual handling. The meticulousness of this instruction, following the detailed eating instructions in the preceding verse, also highlights **emphasis** through the repetition of divine commands, underscoring the unwavering importance of precise obedience in all matters pertaining to the tabernacle and priestly service. Furthermore, this precise instruction functions as a **synecdoche**, where a specific part of the ritual (the disposal of remnants) represents the overarching principle of absolute adherence to divine law in all aspects of sacred worship and the maintenance of holiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 8:32, though a seemingly minor instruction about disposal, encapsulates profound theological truths. It powerfully underscores God's absolute holiness and His demand for meticulous obedience in worship. The burning of remnants signifies that what is consecrated to God is wholly His; it cannot be treated casually, left to decay, or repurposed for common use. This act prevents defilement and maintains the integrity of the sacred space and the sacrificial system. The precise attention to detail, even for leftovers, teaches that God's commands are comprehensive, leaving no room for human discretion or negligence when it comes to His sacred institutions. This principle of complete dedication and the prevention of defilement is a recurring theme throughout the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the chasm between the holy and the common, and the necessity of human reverence in approaching a holy God.
* [Exodus 29:34](/exodus/29-34 "Burning Leftovers from Consecration Offering")
* [Leviticus 7:17](/leviticus/7-17 "Burning Leftovers from Peace Offering")
* [Numbers 18:9-10](/numbers/18-9-10 "Priests' Portion of Offerings and Their Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of burning sacrificial remnants is no longer practiced by believers today, the underlying principles of Leviticus 8:32 remain profoundly relevant for Christian life and worship. This verse calls us to a deep reverence for God's holiness and a serious commitment to obedience in all areas of our lives. Just as the physical remnants were burned to prevent defilement and ensure complete dedication, we are called to "burn off" or decisively put away any "remnants" of sin, worldly attachments, or spiritual impurities that could hinder our walk with God and defile our spiritual temple. It reminds us that our offerings to God – whether our time, talents, resources, or bodies – must be complete and unreserved, not partial or casual. This meticulousness in the Old Testament foreshadows the call for wholehearted devotion in the New, urging us to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our spiritual act of worship. It challenges us to consider if we are holding back any part of ourselves from God, treating some areas of our lives as "common" when they, too, should be consecrated.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be treating "leftovers" or "remnants" casually, rather than dedicating them fully to God's purposes?**
* **How does the meticulousness of God's commands in Leviticus challenge my own approach to obedience and spiritual discipline in my daily walk?**
* **What "impurities" or "defilements" in my life do I need to "burn off" or decisively put away to live a more consecrated and holy life for Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why was it necessary to burn the remnants, rather than simply discarding them?**

Answer: The burning of the remnants, as commanded in [Leviticus 8:32](/leviticus/8-32 "Leviticus 8:32 - Burning the Remnants"), was not merely about waste disposal but carried profound theological significance. It ensured that anything consecrated to God, even the uneaten portions, was not treated as common or profaned. By consuming the leftovers with fire, the sacredness of the offerings was maintained, preventing them from being left to spoil, misused, or becoming a source of defilement. This act underscored the absolute holiness of God and His demand for complete dedication and purity in all matters related to His worship and the tabernacle. It also symbolized the full and irreversible dedication of the offering to God, leaving nothing for human appropriation beyond what was specifically prescribed to be eaten. Similar instructions for burning leftovers from other sacrifices can be found in passages like [Exodus 29:34](/exodus/29-34 "Exodus 29:34 - Burning Leftovers from Consecration Offering") and [Leviticus 7:17](/leviticus/7-17 "Leviticus 7:17 - Burning Leftovers from Peace Offering").

**Does this verse have any relevance for Christians today, given that we don't offer animal sacrifices?**

Answer: Absolutely. While the specific ritual of animal sacrifice and the burning of physical remnants are no longer practiced by Christians due to the complete and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the underlying principles of [Leviticus 8:32](/leviticus/8-32 "Leviticus 8:32 - Burning the Remnants") remain highly relevant. The verse emphasizes God's absolute holiness, His demand for meticulous obedience, and the necessity of complete dedication in worship. For believers today, this translates into a call for wholehearted devotion to God, ensuring that no "remnants" of sin, worldly compromise, or spiritual impurity are left to defile our lives, which are now temples of the Holy Spirit (as seen in [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")). It reminds us that our "spiritual sacrifices" – our lives, our praise, our service, and our very bodies – should be offered completely and without reservation, honoring God's holiness in every aspect, just as Paul exhorts us to present our bodies as living sacrifices in [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 8:32, with its command to burn the remaining consecrated elements, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The meticulous disposal of remnants in the Old Testament foreshadowed the absolute sufficiency and finality of Christ's work on the cross. Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices, which were imperfect and required repeated offerings, Jesus' sacrifice was "once for all," leaving no "remnants" of sin to be atoned for or defilement to be purged (as powerfully articulated in [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice") and [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Appearance to Put Away Sin")). His body, offered without blemish, was consumed by the "fire" of divine judgment against sin, not as a leftover, but as the full and perfect payment, ensuring complete cleansing and reconciliation for those who believe ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Remission")). Furthermore, just as the burning prevented defilement, Christ's sacrifice completely purifies us, making us holy and blameless before God, eradicating the very possibility of spiritual "remnants" that could separate us from His presence ([Colossians 1:22](/colossians/1-22 "Colossians 1:22 - Reconciled in Christ's Body")). In Christ, the need for humanly managed disposal of sacred leftovers is superseded by a divine act that perfectly fulfills all righteousness and holiness, bringing us into a new covenant where our consecration is complete in Him, and we are made perfectly holy through His finished work, as declared in [Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Perfected by One Offering").

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

Exodus 29:34

And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread, remain unto the morning, then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it [is] holy.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Leviticus 7:17

But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.

Exodus 12:10

And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

2 Corinthians 6:2

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

Hebrews 3:13

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:14

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;