Leviticus 24:7 kjv

And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Leviticus 24:7 nkjv

And you shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

Leviticus 24:7 niv

By each stack put some pure incense as a memorial portion to represent the bread and to be a food offering presented to the LORD.

Leviticus 24:7 esv

And you shall put pure frankincense on each pile, that it may go with the bread as a memorial portion as a food offering to the LORD.

Leviticus 24:7 nlt

Put some pure frankincense near each stack to serve as a representative offering, a special gift presented to the LORD.

Leviticus 24 verses

Leviticus 24 7 Meaning

Leviticus 24:7 specifies a detail in the ritual of the showbread in the Tabernacle. It states that pure frankincense was to be placed upon each of the two rows of twelve loaves of showbread. This frankincense served as a "memorial" to the Lord and was designated as "an offering by fire." This action emphasized the consecrated nature of the showbread, continually presented before the Lord, signifying God's covenant with Israel and His sustained presence among His people, with the frankincense representing a symbolic remembrance or pleasing aspect to God that would later be physically consumed by fire.

Leviticus 24 7 Context

Leviticus chapter 24 details various laws related to the Tabernacle and its services, immediately following regulations on annual feasts and offerings. Verses 1-4 describe the continuous oil lamp in the Tent of Meeting, symbolizing the enduring divine light. Verses 5-9 provide the instructions for the showbread ritual, emphasizing its sacred preparation, placement, and replacement weekly on the Sabbath by the priests. This section highlights the holiness required for regular Tabernacle service, ensuring the continuity of the covenant signs and priestly duties before the Lord. The specific placement of frankincense on the showbread, as mentioned in verse 7, reinforces the symbolic presence of Israel's entire offering before God, marked by divine favor and perpetual remembrance. The chapter then shifts to an incident of blasphemy and subsequent laws concerning various damages and their penalties, illustrating God's demand for holiness and justice in all aspects of community life.

Leviticus 24 7 Word analysis

• And (וְ) [ve-]: A simple conjunction, connecting this specific instruction to the previous ones regarding the showbread. It indicates continuation in the divine command.
• you shall put (וְנָתַתָּ) [vĕ·nā·tat·tā]: Hebrew for "and you shall give" or "and you shall put/place." This is a direct divine command, addressed to Moses and, by extension, to Aaron and the priests responsible for the Tabernacle service. It signifies an imperative action within a sacred ritual.
• pure (זַכָּה) [zak·kāh]: Hebrew for "pure," "clean," "bright," "clear." This adjective emphasizes the requirement for holiness and perfection in elements used for divine worship. Only unblemished frankincense was acceptable, reflecting the high standard of God's presence.
• frankincense (לְבֹנָה) [lĕ·ḇō·nāh]: Hebrew levonah. A fragrant gum resin, derived from Boswellia trees, traditionally used in ancient Near Eastern rituals. In biblical contexts, frankincense symbolized a pleasing aroma to the Lord, often accompanying grain offerings. Its presence typically elevated an offering to a "memorial" or special dedication.
• on each row (עַל־הַמַּעֲרָכָה) [‘al-ham·ma·‘ă·rā·ḵāh]: Hebrew for "on the arrangement" or "on the row." Refers to each of the two stacks of six loaves of showbread. The placement of frankincense was not haphazard but specific to each of the distinct arrays of bread.
• that it may be (וְהָיְתָה) [wĕ·hā·yĕ·ṯāh]: "And it shall be" or "that it might be." Introduces the purpose or consequence of placing the frankincense.
• on the bread (לַלֶּחֶם) [lal·le·ḥem]: Hebrew for "for the bread" or "on the bread." It specifies the direct association of the frankincense with the showbread, symbolizing its role in connection with the twelve loaves.
• for a memorial (לְאַזְכָּרָה) [lĕ·ʾaz·kā·râ]: Hebrew le'azkarah, literally "for a remembrance" or "for a portion that calls to remembrance." In cultic terms, it's a portion of an offering (typically a grain offering) burned on the altar, serving as a reminder or dedication before the Lord, indicating the Lord "takes note" of the offering or the worshiper. It does not mean a remembrance for God (as if He might forget), but rather a spiritual 'calling to mind' or recognition of the offering by God, or a perpetual sign to the worshiper.
• an offering by fire (אִשֶּׁה) [ʾiš·šeh]: Hebrew ishsheh. A generic term for any offering "by fire" made to the Lord. While the frankincense itself was not burned directly on the showbread within the Holy Place, it was set aside weekly with the old bread and then burned separately on the altar as its consecrated memorial portion. This clarifies its ultimate sacred destiny and designation as wholly given to the Lord, even if the primary offering (the bread) was eaten by the priests.
• to the Lord (לַיהוָה) [laYahweh]: Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. All such sacred rituals and offerings were directed exclusively to Him, reinforcing monotheism and the exclusive nature of Israel's covenant with God, in contrast to polytheistic worship of the surrounding nations.

• "And you shall put pure frankincense on each row": This precise instruction underlines the meticulous nature of Tabernacle worship. The purity requirement signifies that only the best and unblemished was fitting for God's presence, highlighting His holy nature. The placement on each row implies symmetry and completeness, mirroring the twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel in two rows. This continuous presentation symbolized Israel's unbroken presence before God.
• "that it may be on the bread for a memorial, an offering by fire": This phrase links the symbolic purpose (memorial) with the ritualistic destiny (offering by fire). The frankincense was the memorial portion of the showbread. While the showbread was largely consumed by priests (Lev 24:9), this specific frankincense was earmarked to be burned, thus constituting the "offering by fire" to God. It marked the entire offering as consecrated and ensured a portion was physically given over to God's element (fire) on the altar, symbolically elevating the showbread and representing God's active reception and "remembrance" of His people's ongoing commitment. This ritual provided a unique "sensory" component to the constant symbolic meal before God, reminding both God (metaphorically) and the priests/Israel (literally) of the enduring covenant.

Leviticus 24 7 Bonus section

The concept of the "memorial portion" (azkarah) linked to frankincense finds its spiritual fulfillment in Christ. Jesus, as the "Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35), is the continuous and sustaining presence of God among His people, far surpassing the weekly showbread. Furthermore, His one sacrifice on the cross is described as a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Eph 5:2), serving as the ultimate "memorial" or pleasing aroma to the Lord, doing away with the need for such material rituals. Believers are now called to present their "bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" (Rom 12:1), which is their "spiritual worship," paralleling the concept of a spiritual aroma pleasing to God.

Leviticus 24 7 Commentary

Leviticus 24:7 meticulously details the inclusion of pure frankincense as an essential element in the weekly showbread ritual within the Tabernacle. This act was not merely decorative but deeply symbolic, designating the showbread as a "memorial" to the Lord. While the bread itself was typically consumed by the priests as their portion, the frankincense, placed upon each row, ensured a unique aspect of the offering was entirely given to God. When the old showbread was removed weekly on the Sabbath, the accompanying frankincense was burned as the "offering by fire" on the altar. This conveyed that the frankincense served as the direct, consumed representation of the entire showbread offering before the Lord. It symbolized the pleasing aroma of Israel's constant dedication and covenant faithfulness presented to God, serving as a perpetual sign that God "remembers" or continually acknowledges His covenant people and their presence before Him. The frankincense ensured that even with human consumption of the bread, a portion was dedicated as a pure spiritual offering directly to Yahweh, maintaining the sanctity and complete dedication of the act of presenting the Bread of Presence.