Leviticus 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Meat-offering - מנחה minchah. For an explanation of this word see Clarke's note on Gen 4:3, and Lev. vii. Calmet has remarked that there are five kinds of the minchah mentioned in this chapter. 1. סלת soleth, simple flour or meal, Lev 2:1. 2. Cakes and wafers, or whatever was baked in the oven, Lev 2:4. 3. Cakes baked in the pan, Lev 2:5. 4. Cakes baked on the frying-pan, or probably, a gridiron, Lev 2:7. 5. Green ears of corn parched, Lev 2:14. All these were offered without honey or leaven, but accompanied with wine, oil, and frankincense. It is very likely that the minchah, in some or all of the above forms, was the earliest oblation offered to the Supreme Being, and probably was in use before sin entered into the world, and consequently before bloody sacrifices, or piacular victims, had been ordained. The minchah of green ears of corn dried by the fire, etc., was properly the gratitude-offering for a good seed time, and the prospect of a plentiful harvest. This appears to have been the offering brought by Cain, Gen 4:3; see Clarke's note Gen 4:3. The flour, whether of wheat, rice, barley, rye, or any other grain used for aliment, was in all likelihood equally proper; for in Num 5:15, we find the flour of barley, or barley meal, is called minchah. It is plain that in the institution of the minchah no animal was here included, though in other places it seems to include both kinds; but in general the minchah was not a bloody offering, nor used by way of atonement or expiation, but merely in a eucharistic way, expressing gratitude to God for the produce of the soil. It is such an offering as what is called natural religion might be reasonably expected to suggest: but alas! so far lost is man, that even thankfulness to God for the fruits of the earth must be taught by a…
Open source ↗THE MEAT OFFERINGS. (Lev. 2:1-16) when any will offer a meat offering--or gift--distinguishing a bloodless from a bloody sacrifice. The word "meat," however, is improper, as its meaning as now used is different from that attached at the date of our English translation. It was then applied not to "flesh," but "food," generally, and here it is applied to the flour of wheat. The meat offerings were intended as a thankful acknowledgment for the bounty of Providence; and hence, although meat offerings accompanied some of the appointed sacrifices, those here described being voluntary oblations, were offered alone. pour oil upon it--Oil was used as butter is with us; symbolically it meant the influences of the Spirit, of which oil was the emblem, as incense was of prayer.
Open source ↗And when any man will offer a meat offering unto the Lord,.... Or, "when a soul", and which Onkelos renders "a man", so called from his more noble part; and, as the Jews say, this word is used because the Minchah, or meat offering here spoken of, was a freewill offering, and was offered up with all the heart and soul; and one that offered in this manner, it was all one as if he offered his soul to the Lord (s): there were some meat offerings which were appointed and fixed at certain times, and were obliged to be offered, as at the daily sacrifice, the consecration of priests, the waving of the sheaf, &c. Exo 29:40 but this was a freewill offering; wherefore it is said, "when any man will offer"; the Hebrew word "a meat offering", may be derived from "to bring" or "offer", and so is a name common to offerings of any sort; or from to "recreate" and delight, it being of a sweet savour to the Lord, as other offerings were; others derive it from a root not in use, and in the Chaldee language signifies a gift or present, in which sense this word is used, Gen 32:13. his offering shall be of fine flour; of flour of wheat, Exo 29:2 for, as the Jews say, there is no fine flour but wheat, and this was for the meat offering, Ch1 21:23 and this was to be of the finest of the wheat; for all offerings, whether private or public, were to be of the best, and to be brought from those places which were noted for having the best; and the best places for fine flour were Mechmas and Mezonicha, and the next to them were Caphariim, in the valley; and though it might be taken out of any part of the land of Israel and used, yet it chiefly came from hence (t); and according to the Jewish writers (u); the least quantity of fine flour used in a meat offering was the tenth part of an ephah, which wa…
Open source ↗The first kind consisted of soleth, probably from סלה = סלל to swing, swung flour, like πάλη from πάλλω, i.e., fine flour; and for this no doubt wheaten flour was always used, even when חטּים is not added, as in Exo 29:2, to distinguish it from קמח, or ordinary meal (σεμίδαλις: Kg1 5:2). The suffix in קרבּנו (his offering) refers to נפשׁ, which is frequently construed as both masculine and feminine (Lev 4:2, Lev 4:27-28, Lev 2:1, etc.), or as masculine only (Num 31:28) in the sense of person, any one. "And let him pour oil upon it, and put incense thereon (or add incense to it)." This was not spread upon the flour, on which oil had been poured, but added in such a way, that it could be lifted from the minchah and burned upon the altar (Lev 2:2). The priest was then to take a handful of the gift that had been presented, and cause the azcarah of it to evaporate above (together with) all the incense. קמצו מלא: the filling of his closed hand, i.e., as much as he could hold with his hand full, not merely with three fingers, as the Rabbins affirm. Azcarah (from זכר, formed like אשׁמרה from שׁמר) is only applied to Jehovah's portion, which was burned upon the altar in the case of the meat-offering (Lev 2:9, Lev 2:16, and Lev 6:8), the sin-offering of flour (Lev 5:11), and the jealousy-offering (Num 5:26), and to the incense added to the shew-bread (Lev 24:7). It does not mean the prize portion, i.e., the portion offered for the glory of God, as De Dieu and Rosenmller maintain, still less the fragrance-offering (Ewald), but the memorial, or remembrance-portion, μνημόσυνον or ἀνάμνησις (Lev 24:7, lxx), memoriale (Vulg.), inasmuch as that part of the minchah which was placed upon the altar ascended in the smoke of the fire "on behalf of the giver, as a practical mememto ('r…
Open source ↗There were some meat-offerings that were only appendices to the burnt-offerings, as that which was offered with the daily sacrifice (Exo 29:38, Exo 29:39) and with the peace-offerings; these had drink-offerings joined with them (see Num 15:4, Num 15:7, Num 15:9, Num 15:10), and in these the quantity was appointed. But the law of this chapter concerns those meat-offerings that were offered by themselves, whenever a man saw cause thus to express his devotion. The first offering we read of in scripture was of this kind (Gen 4:3): Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering. I. This sort of offerings was appointed, 1. In condescension to the poor, and their ability, that those who themselves lived only upon bread and cakes might offer an acceptable offering to God out of that which was their own coarse and homely fare, and by making for God's altar, as the widow of Sarepta for his prophet, a little cake first, might procure such a blessing upon the handful of meal in the barrel, and the oil in the cruse, as that it should not fail. 2. As a proper acknowledgment of the mercy of God to them in their food. This was like a quit-rent, by which they testified their dependence upon God, their thankfulness to him, and their expectations from him as their owner and bountiful benefactor, who giveth to all life, and breath, and food convenient. Thus must they honour the Lord with their substance, and, in token of their eating and drinking to his glory, must consecrate some of their meat and drink to his immediate service. Those that now, with a grateful charitable heart, deal out their bread to the hungry, and provide for the necessities of those that are destitute of daily food, and when they eat the fat and drink the sweet themselves send portions to those for whom nothing i…
Open source ↗2:1-16 The grain offering (Hebrew minkhah, “gift, present”) was a way to express worship to the Lord through a gift, recognizing him as Lord over the life of the worshiper. The grain offering was to accompany each whole burnt offering (Num 28:3-6, 12-13), sin offering (Num 6:14-15), and peace offering (Lev 9:4; Num 6:17). The grain offering supplied the priest with bread for his daily sustenance, because no farmland was allocated to priests. 2:1 Choice flour was fine wheat flour (in contrast with common barley flour). See also 1 Kgs 4:22; Ezek 16:13, 19. • Israelites used olive oil as shortening in their cooking, as lamp fuel, and for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Accordingly, it was associated with the rich produce of the land and with God’s provision (Deut 8:8). • Like choice flour, frankincense was frequently connected with the Tabernacle (Exod 30:34; Lev 24:7) or the Temple (1 Chr 9:29). This fragrant tree resin was also used by individuals on special occasions (Song 3:6; Matt 2:11). It was a primary ingredient of the holy incense burned in the Holy Place as a tangible expression of worship (Exod 30:34-38).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God סֹלֶת (çôleth, H5560) — flour (as chipped off) יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) לְבוֹנָה (lᵉbôwnâh, H3828) — frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קָמַץ (qâmats, H7061) — to grasp with the hand שָׁם (shâm, H8033) — there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence קֹמֶץ (qômets, H7062) — a grasp, i.e. handful מְלֹא (mᵉlôʼ, H4393) — fulness (literally or figuratively) סֹלֶת (çôleth, H5560) — flour (as chipped off) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness לְבוֹנָה (lᵉbôwnâh, H3828) — frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke) קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) אַזְכָּרָה (ʼazkârâh, H234) — a reminder; specifically remembrance-offering מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;… מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… מַאֲפֶה (maʼăpheh, H3989) — something baked, i.e. a batch תַּנּוּר (tannûwr, H8574) — a fire-pot מַצָּה (matstsâh, H4682) — properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e. not soured or bittered with yeast);… חַלָּה (challâh, H2471) — a cake (as usually punctured) סֹלֶת (çôleth, H5560) — flour (as chipped off) בָּלַל (bâlal, H1101) — to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness רָקִיק (râqîyq, H7550) — a thin cake מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
Open source ↗קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… מַחֲבַת (machăbath, H4227) — a pan for baking in סֹלֶת (çôleth, H5560) — flour (as chipped off) מַצָּה (matstsâh, H4682) — properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e. not soured or bittered with yeast);… בָּלַל (bâlal, H1101) — to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
Open source ↗פָּתַת (pâthath, H6626) — to open, i.e. break פַּת (path, H6595) — a bit יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually…
Open source ↗קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… מַרְחֶשֶׁת (marchesheth, H4802) — a stewpan עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application סֹלֶת (çôleth, H5560) — flour (as chipped off) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… אַזְכָּרָה (ʼazkârâh, H234) — a reminder; specifically remembrance-offering קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice נִיחוֹחַ (nîychôwach, H5207) — properly, restful, i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight רֵיחַ (rêyach, H7381) — odor (as if blown) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;… מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חָמֵץ (châmêts, H2557) — ferment, (figuratively) extortion קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) שְׂאֹר (sᵉʼôr, H7603) — barm or yeast-cake (as swelling by fermentation) דְּבַשׁ (dᵉbash, H1706) — honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice
Open source ↗קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present רֵאשִׁית (rêʼshîyth, H7225) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit) קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar נִיחוֹחַ (nîychôwach, H5207) — properly, restful, i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight רֵיחַ (rêyach, H7381) — odor (as if blown)
Open source ↗קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… מָלַח (mâlach, H4414) — properly, to rub to pieces or pulverize; intransitively, to disappear as dust; to salt… מֶלַח (melach, H4417) — properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved) בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative,… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… בִּכּוּר (bikkûwr, H1061) — the first-fruits of the crop יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָבִיב (ʼâbîyb, H24) — green, i.e. a young ear of grain; hence, the name of the month Abib or Nisan קָלָה (qâlâh, H7033) — to toast, i.e. scorch partially or slowly אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) גֶּרֶשׂ (geres, H1643) — a kernel (collectively), i.e. grain כַּרְמֶל (karmel, H3759) — a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard or park); by implication, garden produce
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the LORD on horses and chariots and wagons, on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.”
Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.
Next he presented the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning’s burnt offering.
But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
The offering he presented was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him— grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.
along with unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil. Make them out of fine wheat flour,
And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.
You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.