Leviticus 6 14

Leviticus 6:14 kjv

And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar.

Leviticus 6:14 nkjv

'This is the law of the grain offering: The sons of Aaron shall offer it on the altar before the LORD.

Leviticus 6:14 niv

"?'These are the regulations for the grain offering: Aaron's sons are to bring it before the LORD, in front of the altar.

Leviticus 6:14 esv

"And this is the law of the grain offering. The sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD in front of the altar.

Leviticus 6:14 nlt

"These are the instructions regarding the grain offering. Aaron's sons must present this offering to the LORD in front of the altar.

Leviticus 6 verses

Leviticus 6 14 Meaning

Leviticus 6:14 marks the commencement of the specific regulations for the priests regarding the grain offering (Minchah). It states that this is the divine instruction for this type of offering, stipulating that only the sons of Aaron, acting as priests, are to present it. Their service must be conducted reverently "before the LORD" and precisely "before the altar," emphasizing the sacred nature of the act, the priestly authority, and the designated holy space for worship and communion with God. This verse sets the stage for the practical performance and proper handling of the offering by the ordained clergy.

Leviticus 6 14 Context

Leviticus chapter 6 transitions from listing various offerings and their purposes (chapters 1-5) to detailing the specific duties of the priests concerning these offerings. Verses 8-13 focus on the burnt offering, and verse 14 initiates the regulations for the grain offering. This section is from the perspective of priestly administration and what the priests themselves must do with the sacrifices brought by the people, and what portion is theirs. Historically, this passage forms part of the laws given at Mount Sinai, establishing the ritual framework for the nascent nation of Israel. It sets apart the Aaronic priesthood as the divinely appointed mediators and administrators of sacred worship within the Tabernacle, emphasizing the order, holiness, and precise procedures necessary for approaching God and maintaining covenant purity. This meticulous detail also subtly contrasts Israelite worship with contemporary pagan practices which often involved spontaneous or erratic rituals and lacked a singular divine authority or detailed code for offering.

Leviticus 6 14 Word analysis

• And this is the law (וְזֹאת תּוֹרַת, v'zot torat):
  • וְזֹאת (v'zot) means "and this is." It functions as an introductory phrase, signaling a new section of instructions.
  • תּוֹרַת (torat) is from torah, commonly translated "law." However, torah more broadly means "instruction" or "teaching," emphasizing its origin as divine revelation and guidance rather than mere legal statute. Here, it denotes the specific divine instruction regarding the grain offering for the priests.
• of the meat offering (הַמִּנְחָה, hamminchah):
  • הַמִּנְחָה (hamminchah) is "the grain offering" or "meal offering." While the KJV uses "meat offering," it does not refer to flesh but to tribute or gift, usually consisting of flour, oil, and frankincense. It was distinct from animal sacrifices (zevakh). This offering primarily represented thanksgiving, dedication, and support, and part of it often served as sustenance for the priests. It required no atonement for sin directly, unlike sin offerings.
• the sons of Aaron (בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן, b'nei Aharon):
  • בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן (b'nei Aharon) means "sons of Aaron." This explicitly limits the administration of these offerings to the hereditary Aaronic priesthood, emphasizing the divine appointment and the exclusive nature of their mediatorial role. This designation solidified a specific priestly class within Israel, differentiating their function from that of the general population or even other Levites. Their authority derived directly from divine ordination, not personal merit.
• shall offer it (יַקְרִיבוּ אֹתָהּ, yaqrivu otah):
  • יַקְרִיבוּ (yaqrivu) comes from the root qarab, meaning "to draw near," "to bring," or "to present." It carries the connotation of presenting something reverently or sacredly to a superior being, highlighting the solemnity and divine destination of the offering.
  • אֹתָהּ (otah) means "it," referring to hamminchah, the grain offering.
• before the LORD (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lifnei YHWH):
  • לִפְנֵי (lifnei) literally means "in the face of" or "in the presence of." This signifies the direct object of worship and indicates that the offering is performed under God's direct observation and approval. It implies a sacred encounter, a face-to-face interaction in the symbolic sense. It underscores that all acts of worship must be directed towards God alone.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH or "the LORD"): The personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His unique relationship with Israel and His authority over their worship.
• before the altar (לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, lifnei hammizbe'ach):
  • הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (hammizbe'ach) is "the altar." The altar was the consecrated focal point of sacrifice and divine communion within the Tabernacle/Temple complex. It was a holy object, symbolically mediating between God and humanity. Performing offerings "before the altar" ensured proper protocol, demonstrated reverence for sacred space, and directed the offering to its intended, holy destination.
  • The dual phrase "before the LORD, before the altar" accentuates the two dimensions of the offering: its ultimate destination to God, and its immediate performance at the divinely ordained sacred site.

Leviticus 6 14 Bonus section

The phrase "law of the minchah" emphasizes that every aspect of the Old Covenant worship system, even the minutiae of different offerings, was rooted in divine torah or instruction, rather than human innovation or cultural assimilation. This distinction served as an indirect polemic against pagan rituals that often lacked defined parameters or a clear, authoritative source. The detailed priestly instructions, especially their portions from the sacrifices mentioned in subsequent verses (e.g., Lev 6:16-18), underscore how the ceremonial system also sustained its administrators, highlighting a divinely appointed symbiotic relationship between the offerings, the worshippers, and the priestly service. This entire system, with its specific rules and priestly mediation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who offered the singular, perfect sacrifice (Hebrews) that abolishes the need for these repetitive material offerings, transforming them into spiritual sacrifices for believers.

Leviticus 6 14 Commentary

Leviticus 6:14 transitions the focus of sacrificial law from the lay offerer to the specific responsibilities of the Aaronic priesthood concerning the grain offering. It reinforces the rigid divine order of ancient Israelite worship, where precise instructions ("law") dictated every aspect. The priests were not mere assistants but divinely appointed intermediaries, whose very lineage and meticulous actions were essential for the offering's acceptance. Presenting the offering "before the LORD" implies an acknowledgment of God's omnipresence and His absolute claim over the act of worship, ensuring that all devotion was correctly oriented towards Him. The act being performed "before the altar" further underscored the altar's role as the sacred interface, sanctified ground where the earthly offering could meet divine acceptance. This verse encapsulates the principles of a formal, mediator-based religious system, emphasizing holy conduct, proper personnel, and sacred space—all divinely instituted.