Leviticus 2 13

Leviticus 2:13 kjv

And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

Leviticus 2:13 nkjv

And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.

Leviticus 2:13 niv

Season 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.

Leviticus 2:13 esv

You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.

Leviticus 2:13 nlt

Season all your grain offerings with salt to remind you of God's eternal covenant. Never forget to add salt to your grain offerings.

Leviticus 2 verses

Leviticus 2 13 Meaning

Leviticus 2:13 mandates the inclusion of salt in every grain offering and, by explicit extension, all offerings presented to the Lord. This requirement underscores the enduring nature, purity, and steadfastness of the covenant between God and His people, symbolized by salt's properties as a preservative against decay. It signifies an incorruptible and permanent relationship with the Divine, highlighting God's faithfulness and calling for a pure and lasting commitment from the worshiper.

Leviticus 2 13 Context

Leviticus Chapter 2 meticulously outlines the regulations for the grain offering, or "Mincha." This offering, distinct from blood sacrifices, was typically made of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense, symbolizing dedication, gratitude, and sustenance given to the Lord. While the chapter details various preparations (baked in an oven, on a griddle, or in a pan), verse 13 presents a pivotal instruction: the universal inclusion of salt. This injunction extends beyond the grain offering, applying to all sacrifices brought before God, establishing salt as a foundational component for acceptable worship. In the ancient Near East, salt was more than a mere condiment; it was a highly valued preservative and a potent symbol of permanence, purity, and enduring fidelity in agreements and treaties. The practice of "covenants of salt" signified an indissoluble, unbreakable bond. The requirement of salt in Israel's offerings therefore directly emphasized the everlasting and pure nature of the covenant between YHWH and His people, implicitly contrasting with the fleeting, often corrupt, practices of pagan worship which lacked such a symbol of lasting integrity.

Leviticus 2 13 Word analysis

• וְכָל (vechol): "And all / every." This conjunction and quantifier universalizes the instruction, indicating no exception. The command for salt applies to every instance of bringing this specific type of offering.

• קָרְבַּן (qorban): From the root "Q-R-B," meaning "to draw near." It denotes "that which is brought near" or "presented." It's a general term for an offering or sacrifice presented to God, highlighting the act of approach and devotion.

• מִנְחָתְךָ (minḥāthəḵā): "Your grain offering." This refers to the specific "Mincha" sacrifice, which typically consisted of grain products (flour, baked goods) and was usually an offering of thanks, devotion, or in acknowledgment of God's provision. It was distinct from sin or guilt offerings in that it did not primarily address sin, and it was "unbloody." In older English translations, "meat" refers to food in general.

• בַּמֶּלַח (bammelaḥ) / מֶלַח (melaḥ): "With salt / salt." Salt (melaḥ) is the core element here. Its primary ancient significance lay in its preserving quality, preventing decay and corruption. Symbolically, this refers to purity, permanence, and enduring faithfulness.

• תִּמְלָח (timlāḥ): "You shall salt / season." A strong, direct verb commanding the offerer to actively and deliberately add salt. This is an obligatory action, not a suggestion.

• וְלֹא תַשְׁבִּית (velōʾ tašbît): "Neither shall you cause to be lacking / remove." This double negative prohibition strongly emphasizes the indispensable nature of salt. From the root "šāvat" (to cease or rest, as in Sabbath), implying that salt's presence must not "cease" or be removed from the offering. It ensures constant, continuous inclusion.

• בְּרִית (bərît): "Covenant." This crucial term denotes a solemn, binding agreement or treaty. In theological contexts, it describes the established relationship between God and His people, characterized by divine promises and corresponding human obligations. The salt symbolizes the unbreakable, unchangeable, and everlasting nature of this divine bond.

• אֱלֹהֶיךָ (ʾělōheḵā): "Your God." Emphasizes the personal and exclusive relationship between YHWH and His chosen people, Israel, with whom this covenant is established.

• מֵעַל (mēʿal): "From upon / from over." Implies its essential presence as part of the offering itself, not merely beside it.

• בְּכֹל קָרְבָּנְךָ (bəchol qorbaneḵā): "With all your offerings." This phrase expands the scope of the command beyond the initial mention of the grain offering (minḥa). It signifies that salt must be part of every type of sacrifice presented to God—burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, guilt offerings—establishing it as a universal principle for all acceptable worship.

• תַּקְרִיב (taqrîb): "You shall offer / bring near." A repetition reinforcing the command to bring offerings to God, underscoring that each must meet this standard.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt... to be lacking": This construction uses both an affirmative command and a strong negative prohibition to underscore the absolute necessity and omnipresence of salt. Its absence renders the offering incomplete or unacceptable.
  • "the salt of the covenant of thy God": This distinct phrase elevates salt from a mere culinary ingredient to a sacred symbol. It specifically ties the physical element (salt) to the spiritual and relational reality (God's covenant), imbuing the offering with the theological significance of enduring divine promises and unwavering faithfulness.
  • "with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt": This concluding, broad declaration extends the salt requirement universally. It communicates that the principles of permanence, purity, and an enduring covenant apply not only to specific grain offerings but to the entire spectrum of sacrificial worship and dedication to God.

Leviticus 2 13 Bonus section

The stark contrast between the mandated inclusion of salt and the prohibition of leaven and honey in most grain offerings (Lev 2:11) is significant. Leaven (yeast) represented fermentation, decay, and symbolically, sometimes sin or corrupting influence in Scripture (e.g., Gal 5:9, 1 Cor 5:6-8). Honey, while sweet, was also prone to fermentation in the ancient world and might have been associated with fleeting pleasures or pagan rituals; its exclusion ensured the distinctness and holiness of YHWH's worship. Salt, diametrically opposed in function, solidified purity, permanence, and incorruption. This theological distinction reinforced that worship of YHWH was about eternal truth, covenant fidelity, and lasting purity, contrasting sharply with anything temporary, corruptible, or worldly. Furthermore, the later mentions of "a covenant of salt" regarding the Levitical priesthood (Num 18:19) and the Davidic kingship (2 Chr 13:5) cement the understanding that any institution or promise established by God, sealed with "salt," is binding, irrevocable, and forever. This extends the verse's principle beyond material offerings to God's divine arrangements within His covenant with humanity.

Leviticus 2 13 Commentary

Leviticus 2:13 enshrines a foundational principle for acceptable worship: the universal mandate to include salt in all offerings to God. This isn't just about taste; it's deeply symbolic. Salt's intrinsic properties—its ability to preserve, purify, and its unchangeable nature—perfectly reflect key attributes of the divine covenant. It signifies the Lord's unwavering faithfulness, His eternal promises, and the incorruptibility of His nature. Just as salt prevented decay in the physical offering, it symbolically represented an offering unmarred by spiritual corruption or temporal fleetingness, aligning with the perpetual nature of God's covenant with His people.

The "salt of the covenant of thy God" demands that offerings be presented with the recognition of this enduring, unbreak-able bond. It requires the worshiper's own commitment to be steadfast, pure, and sincere, mirroring the characteristics of the salt. Thus, this verse moves beyond ritual to theology, emphasizing that devotion to God involves permanence, purity, and integrity, reflecting the character of the covenant God Himself. For believers today, this principle resonates in our spiritual sacrifices—our lives of praise, service, and witness—which should similarly be "seasoned with salt," characterized by integrity, purity, lasting devotion, and truth that endures.

• Practical usage:
  • Lasting Faith: Our commitment to God should be as unchanging and steadfast as salt, persevering through life's trials without losing its savor.
  • Pure Living: We are called to live lives of integrity and moral purity, preserving truth and preventing spiritual decay in a corrupt world.
  • Effective Witness: Like salt, our words and actions should bring "flavor"—grace, truth, and wisdom—into interactions, reflecting the enduring love of God to those around us.