Leviticus 2
Leviticus 2 contains the regulations for the grain offering, also known by the Hebrew term minchah. Following the burnt offering in Leviticus 1, this chapter explains how offerings made from agricultural products such as grain, oil, and frankincense are to be presented. This offering expresses gratitude to God and acknowledges that the fruits of daily labor come from Him.
1verse“‘When anyone offers an offering of a meal offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.
2verseHe shall bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests. He shall take his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense, and the priest shall burn its memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to the LORD.
3verseThat which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a most holy part of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.
4verse“‘When you offer an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
5verseIf your offering is a meal offering made on a griddle, it shall be of unleavened fine flour, mixed with oil.
6verseYou shall cut it in pieces, and pour oil on it. It is a meal offering.
7verseIf your offering is a meal offering of the pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil.
8verseYou shall bring the meal offering that is made of these things to the LORD. It shall be presented to the priest, and he shall bring it to the altar.
9verseThe priest shall take from the meal offering its memorial, and shall burn it on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to the LORD.
10verseThat which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a most holy part of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.
11verse“‘No meal offering which you shall offer to the LORD shall be made with yeast; for you shall burn no yeast, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to the LORD.
12verseAs an offering of first fruits you shall offer them to the LORD, but they shall not rise up as a pleasant aroma on the altar.
13verseEvery offering of your meal offering you shall season with salt. You shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your meal offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.
14verse“‘If you offer a meal offering of first fruits to the LORD, you shall offer for the meal offering of your first fruits fresh heads of grain parched with fire and crushed.
15verseYou shall put oil on it and lay frankincense on it. It is a meal offering.
16verseThe priest shall burn as its memorial part of its crushed grain and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense. It is an offering made by fire to the LORD.
Types and Procedures of the Grain Offering
- Grain offering made with flour: Fine flour is mixed with oil and frankincense and offered to God. A memorial portion is burned on the altar, and the rest belongs to the priests.
- Grain offering baked in an oven, on a griddle, or in a pan: The grain offering may be prepared in different ways, but it is to be made without leaven.
- Prohibitions and requirements: Leaven and honey are not to be burned as an offering to the Lord, while salt must be added. This highlights purity, preservation, and the covenant relationship with God.
The Meaning of the Grain Offering
Grain offerings were presented mainly as an expression of gratitude for God’s grace and provision. By offering the produce of the land and the staple food of daily life, Israel acknowledged that every part of life belonged to God. The absence of leaven and the addition of salt emphasize an attitude of worship that is pure, enduring, and faithful to the covenant.
Meditation Points
- Can even the most ordinary areas of my life be offered to God?
- Am I approaching worship with a pure and humble heart?
- Do I remember that keeping God’s covenant is the foundation of my faith life?
Try Applying It to Me
- I can commit to using everything in my everyday life—such as my time, talents, and possessions—by giving thanks to God and putting it to His use.
- As I confirm again that worship rituals are not a rigid form, but rather my sincere heart offered to God, I can make the decision to live every moment as worship.
