Leviticus 2 16

Leviticus 2:16 kjv

And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Leviticus 2:16 nkjv

Then the priest shall burn the memorial portion: part of its beaten grain and part of its oil, with all the frankincense, as an offering made by fire to the LORD.

Leviticus 2:16 niv

The 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.

Leviticus 2:16 esv

And the priest shall burn as its memorial portion some of the crushed grain and some of the oil with all of its frankincense; it is a food offering to the LORD.

Leviticus 2:16 nlt

The priest will take a representative portion of the grain moistened with oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn it as a special gift presented to the LORD.

Leviticus 2 verses

Leviticus 2 16 Meaning

Leviticus 2:16 specifies that a portion of the grain offering, comprising its finely ground grain, oil, and all its frankincense, must be burned by the priest on the altar. This portion serves as a "memorial offering" or "remembrance portion," ascending as an acceptable food offering to the LORD. It signifies the dedication of the best and a representation of the entire offering to God, ensuring the offerer is brought to God's favorable remembrance.

Leviticus 2 16 Context

Leviticus chapter 2 elaborates on the laws for the grain offering, or Minchah. Unlike burnt offerings or peace offerings which might include animals, the grain offering primarily consisted of produce: fine flour, olive oil, and frankincense, along with salt, but explicitly excluding leaven and honey (Lev 2:11-13). It was a voluntary offering, expressing devotion, thankfulness for God's provision, or a vow. It often accompanied other sacrifices or was brought alone by those who could not afford an animal sacrifice, symbolizing dependence on God for daily sustenance. The chapter details various preparations for the grain offering: raw fine flour, baked in an oven, on a griddle, or in a pan. In each case, a symbolic "memorial portion" (azkarah) was set aside. Leviticus 2:16 encapsulates the instruction for burning this memorial portion of the processed grain offering, including the finest part of the flour, oil, and frankincense. This ritual underscored dedication to YHWH, in contrast to the agricultural offerings of surrounding pagan nations which often involved illicit practices or the worship of other gods for fertility, making Israel's detailed and pure offerings a direct polemic against syncretism and polytheism.

Leviticus 2 16 Word analysis

• And the priest: כֹּהֵן (kohen). A consecrated male descendant of Aaron, authorized to mediate between God and the people through the sacrificial system. His role ensures proper, sanctified ritual, distinct from individual informal worship, underscoring the necessity of divine appointment in approaching God.
• shall burn: וְהִקְטִיר (vehiqṭir). From the root קָטַר (qāṭar), in the Hiphil stem, meaning "to cause to ascend in smoke," specifically referring to consuming an offering by fire on the altar. This act is not for destruction but for ascension, symbolizing the offering reaching God as a pleasing aroma, implying His acceptance and spiritual consumption.
• as its memorial portion: אַזְכָּרָה (azkarah). From זָכַר (zākar), "to remember." This refers to the specific, designated part of the offering burnt on the altar. It does not mean God needs to recall information, but rather that the offering serves to bring the offerer to God's favorable remembrance or attention, or it acknowledges God's faithful provision. It acts as a symbolic representation of the entire offering presented before God.
• a portion of its ground grain: מִקַּצָהּ מִדַּקָּתָהּ (miqqasāh middaqqaṭāh). Literally "from its top" and "from its crushed/finest part." This emphasizes that the choicest, best part of the grain, after being finely processed, is dedicated to God. This principle of offering the firstfruits and the best is foundational to covenant worship.
• and its oil: שַׁמְנָהּ (shamnah). Refers to olive oil, a staple in Israelite life for food, light, and anointing. In offerings, oil symbolizes richness, sanctification, sustenance, and prophetically, the anointing of the Holy Spirit and divine favor.
• with all its frankincense: לְבֹנָתָהּ (leḇônātāh). A costly, fragrant gum resin. When burnt, it produces a sweet-smelling smoke. It signifies purity, sweetness, and perhaps prayers or adoration ascending to God, representing the pleasantness and sincerity of the offering to the Divine nose.
• it is a food offering: אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה (ʾiššeh layaḥweḥ). "Offering made by fire to the LORD." The term 'ishsheh (from אֵשׁ, 'esh, "fire") designates that which is consumed by fire on the altar as distinct from a portion eaten by priests or the offerer. It is "food" not for God's physical sustenance, but signifying His appropriated portion, an act of sacred devotion and provision dedicated to Him, becoming a pleasing aroma.
• to the LORD: לַיהוָה (layaḥweḥ). To Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This specifies the sole recipient and purpose of the offering, highlighting exclusive worship and devotion. Every detail points to God's holiness and His rightful claim over all things.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "And the priest shall burn as its memorial portion": This phrase highlights the divine mandate for how and by whom the offering is accepted. The priest's role is critical in consecrating and mediating, ensuring the proper ritual brings the offerer into God's favorable "remembrance" through this symbolic burning. It signifies the transfer of the offering from human hands to divine acceptance through an authorized agent.
  • "a portion of its ground grain and its oil with all its frankincense": These three components collectively represent the best of sustenance, blessing/anointing, and fragrant worship/prayer. The emphasis on "finest," "oil," and "all its frankincense" signifies offering wholeness, purity, and excellence to God from the offerer's provisions, whether raw materials or processed.
  • "it is a food offering to the LORD": This conclusive declaration establishes the divine ownership and sacred nature of the offering. Though God does not literally consume food, the phrase communicates that the offering is specifically set apart and acceptable to Him through the fire, establishing communion and expressing the worshiper's complete dedication and obedience to God.

Leviticus 2 16 Bonus section

The strict exclusion of leaven (Lev 2:11) in the grain offering (except for firstfruits) often signifies the rejection of sin, corruption, or human self-reliance in worship. Leaven ferments, causing puffiness, which in ancient thought was sometimes associated with decay or pride. Honey was also forbidden from the altar fire, possibly due to its fermenting properties, its sweetness potentially symbolizing self-gratification rather than pure devotion, or its use in pagan fertility rites. The required addition of salt (Lev 2:13), representing an eternal covenant, highlights the enduring and preserving nature of the relationship between God and His people, in stark contrast to the temporary or corrupting elements of leaven and honey. The collective composition of the grain offering elements — unblemished grain, purifying oil, fragrant frankincense, and preserving salt — conveyed the purity, completeness, and enduring nature required for genuine devotion and worship of the Holy God.

Leviticus 2 16 Commentary

Leviticus 2:16 forms the concluding instruction for all types of grain offerings, ensuring a vital part of the worshiper's devotion is consumed by sacred fire on the altar. The "memorial portion" (azkarah) is not about God remembering forgotten details, but about bringing the worshiper into God's favor. It embodies the essence of offering one's best – represented by the finest flour (sustenance), the precious oil (anointing, richness), and the sweet-smelling frankincense (purity, ascending prayer). The complete consumption of this designated portion by fire as an "food offering to the LORD" symbolizes an ultimate act of consecration and communion, distinct from human consumption. It establishes that this segment is wholly God's, an acceptable sacrifice. This offering prefigured Christ as the ultimate, perfectly dedicated offering (Eph 5:2), and teaches believers about the sanctity of presenting the best of their lives (Rom 12:1) as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.