Leviticus2
New International Version
1“‘When anyone brings a grain offering to the Lord, their offering is to be of the finest flour. They are to pour olive oil on it, put incense on it
2and take it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the incense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
3The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the Lord.
4“‘If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven, it is to consist of the finest flour: either thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in or thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with olive oil.
5If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle, it is to be made of the finest flour mixed with oil, and without yeast.
6Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering.
7If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it is to be made of the finest flour and some olive oil.
8Bring the grain offering made of these things to the Lord; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar.
9He shall take out the memorial portion from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
10The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the Lord.
11“‘Every grain offering you bring to the Lord must be made without yeast, for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in a food offering presented to the Lord.
12You may bring them to the Lord as an offering of the firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma.
13Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.
14“‘If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the Lord, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire.
15Put oil and incense on it; it is a grain offering.
16The priest shall burn the memorial portion of the crushed grain and the oil, together with all the incense, as a food offering presented to the Lord.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Leviticus 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The meat-offering of flour. (1–11). The offering of first-fruits. (12–16).
vv1-11
Meat-offerings may typify Christ, as presented to God for us, and as being the Bread of life to our souls; but they rather seem to denote our obligation to God for the blessings of providence, and those good works which are acceptable to God. The term “meat” was, and still is, properly given to any kind of provision, and the greater part of this offering was to be eaten for food, not burned. These meat-offerings are mentioned after the burnt-offerings: without an interest in the sacrifice of Christ, and devotedness of heart to God, such services cannot be accepted. Leaven is the emblem of pride, malice, and hypocrisy, and honey of sensual pleasure. The former are directly opposed to the graces of humility, love, and sincerity, which God approves; the latter takes men from the exercises of devotion, and the practice of good works. Christ, in his character and sacrifice, was wholly free from the things denoted by leaven; and his suffering life and agonizing death were the very opposites to worldly pleasure. His people are called to follow, and to be like him.
vv12-16
Salt is required in all the offerings. God hereby intimates to them that their sacrifices, in themselves, were unsavoury. All religious services must be seasoned with grace. Christianity is the salt of the earth. Directions are given about offering their first-fruits at harvest. If a man, with a thankful sense of God's goodness in giving him a plentiful crop, was disposed to present an offering to God, let him bring the first ripe and full ears. Whatever was brought to God must be the best in its kind, though it were but green ears of corn. Oil and frankincense must be put upon it. Wisdom and humility soften and sweeten the spirits and services of young people, and their green ears of corn shall be acceptable. God takes delight in the first ripe fruits of the Spirit, and the expressions of early piety and devotion. Holy love to God is the fire by which all our offerings must be made. The frankincense denotes the mediation and intercession of Christ, by which our services are accepted. Blessed be God that we have the substance, of which these observances were but shadows. There is that excellency in Christ, and in his work as Mediator, which no types and shadows can fully represent. And our dependence thereon must be so entire, that we must never lose sight of it in any thing we do, if we would be accepted of God.
Key Words
נֶפֶשׁ: properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
קָרַב: to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
מִנְחָה: a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
קׇרְבָּן: something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present
סֹלֶת: flour (as chipped off)
יָצַק: properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard
שֶׁמֶן: grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
נָתַן: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְבוֹנָה: frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Leviticus 2Explicates the 'salt of the covenant' as a perpetual, incorruptible bond between God and His priests.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Christ's offering of Himself to God is described as a sweet-smelling savor, fulfilling the grain offering's purpose.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Applies the prohibition of physical leaven to purging the spiritual leaven of malice and wickedness.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus references the command that every sacrifice must be seasoned with salt, representing spiritual purification.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illuminates the term 'memorial' as a physical reminder of God's covenant and favor.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the Levites' duty in preparing the fine flour and baked things for the grain offering.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus uses leaven to symbolize corrupt doctrines, explaining the prohibition of leaven in holy offerings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The frankincense placed on the offering represents Christ's intercession and the prayers of saints.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Specifies the priestly practice of taking a handful of the offering as a memorial on the altar.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms that Aaron's sons could eat 'most holy' bread within the sanctuary precincts.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Shows the designated boiling and baking places in the temple where priests prepared the grain offering.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel command for speech to be seasoned with salt, representing grace and wisdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Relates to the firstfruits dough offering which was presented but not burned on the altar.
Supported by JFB
Details the ritual presentation of the firstfruits sheaf at the beginning of harvest.
Supported by Matthew Henry