Leviticus 2 12

Leviticus 2:12 kjv

As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savor.

Leviticus 2:12 nkjv

As for the offering of the firstfruits, you shall offer them to the LORD, but they shall not be burned on the altar for a sweet aroma.

Leviticus 2:12 niv

You 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.

Leviticus 2:12 esv

As an offering of firstfruits you may bring them to the LORD, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing aroma.

Leviticus 2:12 nlt

You may add yeast and honey to an offering of the first crops of your harvest, but these must never be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 2 verses

Leviticus 2 12 Meaning

Leviticus 2:12 stipulates that offerings of firstfruits are to be presented to the LORD, signifying consecration and acknowledging divine provision. However, it explicitly prohibits them from being consumed by fire upon the altar as a pleasing or "sweet" savor. This distinguishes the treatment of firstfruits from other types of grain offerings, emphasizing their specific role and nature within the Levitical sacrificial system. The restriction underscores the careful distinctions God established for holy offerings and their disposition.

Leviticus 2 12 Context

Leviticus Chapter 2 focuses entirely on the "Minchah," or grain offering, one of the fundamental voluntary sacrifices. This offering typically comprised fine flour, oil, and frankincense, representing the worshiper's labor and provision. The purpose was to express devotion, gratitude, and a desire for communion with God, often as a non-atoning accompaniment to burnt offerings. Chapter 2 details specific preparations (e.g., unleavened, baked in an oven or on a griddle), and crucially, identifies elements that are forbidden from being burnt on the altar: leaven and honey (Lev 2:11). Verse 12 directly addresses the presentation of "firstfruits" within this context. Historically, firstfruits were the initial produce of the harvest, symbolizing God's faithfulness in providing sustenance and the worshiper's acknowledgment that all provision comes from Him. Their offering also marked a time of gratitude and expectation of a full harvest. The specific instruction not to burn them on the altar for a "sweet savor" is a direct application of the "no leaven/honey" rule, as early harvest items or processed firstfruit offerings (like loaves, Lev 23:17) might naturally contain yeast or fermentation, which was associated with decay and sin in the cultic purity system.

Leviticus 2 12 Word analysis

• Oblation (קָרְבָּן, qorban): A general term for an offering or gift brought near to God. It signifies something presented for dedication, a sacrifice.
• Firstfruits (בִּכּוּרִים, bikkurim): The initial produce of the harvest (grain, wine, oil) or the firstborn of livestock. Spiritually, it represents giving the best and earliest to God, acknowledging His prior claim and provision. It signifies sanctification of the whole (Rom 11:16). The bikkurim were celebrated annually during the Festival of Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost).
• Ye shall offer them (תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ, taqrivu): Literally, "you shall bring near." This indicates the act of presenting the offering directly to the LORD, highlighting the sanctity and personal devotion involved in worship. It emphasizes the direct relationship between worshiper and God.
• Unto the LORD (לַיהוָ֑ה, l’YHWH): Explicitly states the divine recipient. Yahweh (YHWH) is the covenant God of Israel. This underlines that the offering is solely for Him and according to His terms, not for idols or human consumption as a primary purpose.
• But (וְ): Connects the positive instruction (offer) with a negative prohibition.
• They shall not be burnt (לֹא־תַקְטִיר֖וּ, lo-taqtîru) on the altar (עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ, ʿal-hammizbeach): A definitive command prohibiting combustion on the sacred altar for a particular purpose. This distinguishes these specific offerings. The Hebrew term qaṭar means to cause smoke to ascend, to burn incense or offerings. Its negation here is key.
• For a sweet savour (רֵ֤יחַ נִיח֔וֹחַ, reaḥ niḥoaḥ): This phrase describes an aroma pleasing to God, often accompanying burnt offerings or other fire offerings where combustion signified full dedication and divine acceptance (Lev 1:9, Gen 8:21). The prohibition means firstfruits do not attain this status via burning on the altar, even though they are holy offerings. This lack of "sweet savour" through burning connects directly to the restriction against leaven and honey (Lev 2:11).

Words-group Analysis:

• "As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD:": This part affirms the divine commandment to present firstfruits to God, recognizing His ownership and sovereignty over all produce and the act of giving back the initial blessing as a mark of devotion. It solidifies the requirement for firstfruits within the broader system of offerings.
• "but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.": This clause provides the crucial distinction. While the firstfruits are indeed offerings to the LORD, they are explicitly excluded from being placed on the altar fire as a sweet-smelling aroma. This directly aligns with the broader principle established in Leviticus 2:11, which prohibits any leaven or honey in offerings burnt on the altar. Given that offerings of firstfruits, especially the loaves for Pentecost (Lev 23:17), typically included leaven (associated with impurity or fermentation), or could be in a form that easily decayed, they were unfit for complete consumption by fire as an ultimate expression of purification and worshipful acceptance. Instead, they served as holy portions designated for the priests (Num 18:12-13).

Leviticus 2 12 Bonus section

The laws concerning firstfruits highlight two important principles in the Israelite sacrificial system:

1. Priestly Sustenance: Many firstfruit offerings, while offered to the LORD, ultimately served as provisions for the Aaronic priests and their families (Num 18:12-13). This mechanism provided a divine means for supporting those who dedicated their lives to temple service, emphasizing God's care for His appointed servants and the communal responsibility of the Israelites.
2. Holiness and Prohibition: The restriction against burning leaven or honey on the altar as a "sweet savor" (Lev 2:11) implies a deep theological significance. Leaven (yeast) causes fermentation, change, and expansion, and in a spiritual context, often symbolized corruption or sin. Honey, though sweet, could also undergo fermentation or imply a 'natural' sweetness in offerings rather than the God-given 'salt' of covenant (Lev 2:13). The exclusion reinforces the principle of purity and unchanging faithfulness in God's presence, highlighting the need for offerings that were unblemished by elements of decay or human enhancement for ultimate combustion on the altar. This precise distinction prefigures the perfect and pure sacrifice of Christ (Eph 5:2) that truly ascends as a perfect pleasing aroma to God, without any stain or impurity.

Leviticus 2 12 Commentary

Leviticus 2:12 functions as a vital clarifying instruction within the laws of the grain offering, distinguishing how firstfruits are to be treated. While mandated to be offered to the LORD as a deeply symbolic act of worship and gratitude for His provision, they are uniquely prevented from being burnt on the altar to produce a "sweet savor." This distinction is not a devaluation of firstfruits, which were considered "most holy" and foundational to Israel's economy and covenant with God. Rather, it underscores the strict cultic purity required for fire offerings that symbolized full devotion and atonement.

The reason for this prohibition is best understood in conjunction with Leviticus 2:11, which unequivocally states that "no grain offering that you bring to the LORD is to be made with yeast or honey, because you must not burn any yeast or any honey in a food offering presented to the LORD." Firstfruits, especially in forms like green ears of grain roasted by fire (Lev 2:14) or the two loaves brought during the Festival of Weeks (Lev 23:17), could naturally contain leaven or elements prone to fermentation/decay. Leaven often symbolized corruption or sin within the Levitical code (1 Cor 5:6-8, Gal 5:9). Thus, to maintain the absolute purity required for the altar's flame – representing God's holy presence – these elements were forbidden for burning. The "sweet savor" implies acceptance and pleasure to God, specifically through fire. While God accepted firstfruits, their disposition on the altar was different, usually for the sustenance of the priests, further cementing the priestly role as mediators and stewards of divine gifts.

This verse exemplifies the meticulous nature of God's commands regarding worship, teaching His people that worship must be offered precisely as He dictates, reflecting His holy character. It distinguishes between what is consecrated to Him and what is suitable for consuming fire, signifying ultimate communion and purification.