Leviticus 6:17

It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it [unto them for] their portion of my offerings made by fire; it [is] most holy, as [is] the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.

It shall not be baken {H644} with leaven {H2557}. I have given {H5414} it unto them for their portion {H2506} of my offerings made by fire {H801}; it is most {H6944} holy {H6944}, as is the sin offering {H2403}, and as the trespass offering {H817}.

It is not to be baked with leaven. I have given it as their portion of my offerings made by fire; like the sin offering and the guilt offering, it is especially

It must not be baked with leaven; I have assigned it as their portion of My offerings made by fire. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering.

It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it as their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as the sin-offering, and as the trespass-offering.

Commentary

Leviticus 6:17 details specific regulations concerning the grain offering (also known as the meal offering) given to the priests, emphasizing its sacred nature and the purity required in its preparation and consumption.

Context of Leviticus 6:17

This verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus (chapters 6-7) that provides detailed instructions for the priests regarding the handling of various offerings. While chapter 1-5 give instructions to the worshipper, these chapters focus on the priestly duties. Specifically, Leviticus 6:14-18 outlines the law of the grain offering, a voluntary offering typically made of fine flour, bread, or wafers. A portion of this offering was burned on the altar as a "memorial portion," and the remainder was given to the priests as their sustenance. This verse specifically addresses the priest's portion of this offering.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Holiness and Purity of Offerings: The command "It shall not be baken with leaven" underscores God's absolute demand for purity in worship. Leaven, or yeast, often symbolized corruption, sin, or malice in biblical thought, particularly in the Old Testament. Its exclusion from offerings to God signified a desire for unblemished purity in the act of worship and the lives of those presenting and consuming the offering. This aligns with other commands, such as the prohibition of leaven during Passover and in the general law of the grain offering (Leviticus 2:11).
  • Divine Provision for the Priesthood: God ordained that the priests, who dedicated their lives to serving in the tabernacle, would be sustained by portions of the offerings brought by the people. This verse highlights that the grain offering was given "unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire," ensuring the priests' livelihood. This system demonstrated God's faithfulness in providing for those who served Him. Numbers 18:8-10 further details this divine provision.
  • Most Holy Status: The declaration "it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering" elevates the sanctity of the priest's portion of the grain offering. The Hebrew phrase for "most holy" is qodesh qadashim, meaning "holy of holies" or "a most holy thing." This status meant it could only be eaten by the priests, in a holy place, and with the utmost reverence, similar to the sin offering and trespass offering. This underscored the sacredness of the priest's role and the food that sustained them in their service.

Linguistic Insights

The term "leaven" here is from the Hebrew word chametz (חָמֵץ), which refers to fermented dough or yeast. Its consistent prohibition in many offerings emphasizes a symbolic rejection of corruption and decay in the presence of God. The phrase "most holy" is qodesh qadashim (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים), signifying the highest degree of sanctity, reserved for things uniquely consecrated to God and requiring the strictest handling.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind these laws remain relevant for believers today. As a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), we are called to a life of holiness and purity. The absence of leaven reminds us to rid ourselves of spiritual "leaven"—sin, malice, and wickedness—as we serve and worship God (1 Corinthians 5:8). Furthermore, this verse highlights God's faithfulness in providing for those who dedicate their lives to His service, whether in full-time ministry or through their daily walk of faith.

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

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 2:3 (4 votes)

    And the remnant of the meat offering [shall be] Aaron's and his sons': [it is] a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.

  • Leviticus 6:25 (4 votes)

    Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This [is] the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD: it [is] most holy.

  • Numbers 18:9 (4 votes)

    This shall be thine of the most holy things, [reserved] from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, [shall be] most holy for thee and for thy sons.

  • Numbers 18:10 (4 votes)

    In the most holy [place] shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.

  • Leviticus 2:11 (4 votes)

    ¶ No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire.

  • Leviticus 6:29 (3 votes)

    All the males among the priests shall eat thereof: it [is] most holy.

  • Leviticus 7:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Likewise this [is] the law of the trespass offering: it [is] most holy.