Leviticus 6 15

Leviticus 6:15 kjv

And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD.

Leviticus 6:15 nkjv

He shall take from it his handful of the fine flour of the grain offering, with its oil, and all the frankincense which is on the grain offering, and shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma, as a memorial to the LORD.

Leviticus 6:15 niv

The priest is to take a handful of the finest flour and some olive oil, together with all the incense on the grain offering, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Leviticus 6:15 esv

And one shall take from it a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering and its oil and all the frankincense that is on the grain offering and burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 6:15 nlt

The priest on duty will take from the grain offering a handful of the choice flour moistened with olive oil, together with all the frankincense. He will burn this representative portion on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 6 verses

Leviticus 6 15 Meaning

Leviticus 6:15 describes a specific action taken by the priest during the presentation of a grain offering (minchah). From the fine flour, oil, and frankincense prepared by the offerer, the priest was to take a precise "handful" as a consecrated portion. This "handful" was then burned on the altar. It served as a "memorial portion" to the LORD, signifying a tangible presentation before Him and an offering that produced a "pleasing aroma," indicating divine acceptance and delight in the offering. This part was exclusively for God, distinguished from the rest which became the priest's sustenance.

Leviticus 6 15 Context

Leviticus 6:15 is situated within the instructions for priestly duties regarding the various sacrifices, specifically the grain offering (Minchah). Chapter 6 begins a new section of laws primarily directed towards the priests, detailing their responsibilities in executing the sacrificial system and their entitlement to certain portions of the offerings. While chapter 2 outlines the general laws for the grain offering for the layperson, chapter 6:14-18 details what the priest does with that offering once it is brought. This verse specifies the exact procedure for setting aside the "memorial portion" for the LORD, contrasting it with the portion (the rest) that was allotted for the priests to eat. Historically and culturally, these detailed laws ensured purity, proper worship, and a clear distinction between the sacred portion dedicated to God and the holy portion designated for the sustenance of His priests who served Him in the Tabernacle. It underscored the ordered, specific nature of Israelite worship, distinguishing it from pagan practices that often lacked such precise ritual and ethical underpinnings, where offerings might be indiscriminately offered or perceived as food for the gods.

Leviticus 6 15 Word analysis

• And he shall take: (וְקָמַץ, wəqāmaṣ - Qal imperfect of קמץ, qamaṣ, meaning "to take a handful," and literally meaning "he shall take a handful") The action indicates the priest's precise role in separation.
• from it: Refers to the prepared grain offering of fine flour, oil, and frankincense.
• a handful: (קמץ, qomets) This specific Hebrew word emphasizes a measurement of what can be held in the hand with fingers closed. It signifies a distinct, specific, and relatively small, yet sufficient, portion. This highlights that not all of the offering was for the LORD, distinguishing God's part from the priests'.
• of the fine flour: (סֹלֶת, solet) This refers to flour of the highest quality, repeatedly specified in the sacrificial laws. It symbolized purity, wholeness, and the best that could be offered to God, aligning with His holiness.
• of the grain offering: (מִנְחָה, minchah) In a general sense, minchah means a gift, tribute, or present. Here, it refers specifically to the bloodless offering made from grains, indicating dedication, thanksgiving, or the dedication of one's produce and livelihood to God.
• and its oil: (וְשַׁמְנָהּ, wəšamənnāh - from שמן, shemen, meaning oil) Oil was often a symbol of anointing, holiness, divine presence, and the Holy Spirit in Scripture. Its inclusion elevated the offering from mere food to a consecrated, set-apart presentation.
• and all the frankincense: (וְאֶת־כָּל־הַלְּבֹנָה, wə’eṯ-kāl-halləvōnah - from לבונה, levonah, meaning frankincense) This was a costly, fragrant gum. When burned, it produced a sweet-smelling smoke, often associated with prayer (Ps 141:2) and the manifest presence of God. The instruction to burn all the frankincense emphasizes its particular importance as a key component of the pleasing aroma for the LORD.
• that is on the grain offering: This specifies that these ingredients were combined and placed together as a unit within the offering, from which the qomets was taken.
• and burn this: (וְהִקְטִיר, wəhiqṭîr - Hiphil perfect of קטר, qatar, meaning "to turn into smoke" or "to offer incense") This term refers to consuming by fire for the purpose of sending its essence upward to God, rather than for destructive purposes. It's the action of setting apart for divine consumption.
• as its memorial portion: (אַזְכָּרָתָהּ, azkarātāh - from אזכרת, azkarah, meaning "memorial offering" or "remembrance portion") This is a crucial term. It signifies that this part of the offering serves as a reminder or token before God. It's not that God needs to remember (as if He forgets), but that this offering causes the offerer to be remembered by God in a positive, covenantal sense, or serves as a permanent symbol presented before His presence. It establishes a memorial record in God's sight.
• on the altar: (הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, hammizbēaḥ) The bronze altar was the primary place of sacrifice in the Tabernacle (and later, Temple). It symbolized the place where atonement occurred, where man met God through consecrated means. Burning on the altar indicated dedication directly to God.
• a food offering: (אִשֶּׁה, isheh) Literally "fire offering." This is a broad term for any offering brought to the altar by fire, distinguishing it from non-fire offerings like libations or votive gifts. It indicates that the sacrifice is presented by means of fire.
• with a pleasing aroma: (רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ, rêaḥ nîḥōaḥ - lit. "aroma of rest" or "soothing aroma") This phrase denotes divine acceptance and satisfaction. When God "smells" the pleasing aroma, it signifies His contentment with the offering and, by extension, with the obedience and worship of the offerer. It suggests a restoration of peace and fellowship.
• to the LORD: (לַיהוָה, layhwh) Explicitly states the ultimate recipient of the sacrifice, Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This underscores the theological truth that all true worship is directed to Him alone.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he shall take from it a handful... and burn this as its memorial portion": This highlights the division of the offering. Only a part (the handful) is given directly to God by fire as a memorial. The rest of the offering becomes the sustenance for the priests (Lev 6:16), indicating both divine provision and priestly sustenance from God's altar. This dual purpose teaches about consecration and sustenance.
• "fine flour...oil...frankincense": These three ingredients consistently point to a quality offering: purity (flour), anointing/divine presence (oil), and costly, fragrant worship (frankincense). The total frankincense implies its high value and integral role in creating the acceptable aroma for God. This trio embodies wholeness in presenting one's best and dedicating physical blessings and spiritual intentions.
• "memorial portion...a pleasing aroma to the LORD": These phrases are intrinsically linked. The azkaratah is not just a reminder, but the specific form that elicits divine acceptance. The "pleasing aroma" is the divine sensory perception of that acceptance, confirming God's pleasure and the restoration of favor or covenant blessings to the offerer.

Leviticus 6 15 Bonus section

• Symbolism of Ingredients: The "fine flour" symbolized the offering of one's daily sustenance and labor, consecrated to God. Its "fineness" implied purity and perfection, aligning with God's holy character. "Oil" frequently represented anointing, sanctification, and the presence or work of the Holy Spirit. "Frankincense," a costly and fragrant resin, signified prayer, the elevation of worship, and the pleasantness of God's presence, specifically intended to enhance the "pleasing aroma" for the LORD. The absence of leaven (fermentation, often symbolic of sin/corruption) and honey (sweetness from natural decay, or something too "worldly" sweet) in grain offerings (Lev 2:11) further emphasized purity and holiness.
• Two Portions, One Offering: This verse highlights the fundamental distinction between the portion burned on the altar for God (the azkaratah) and the larger remaining portion given to the priests (Lev 6:16). This ensured that God received His designated portion first, embodying His preeminence and holiness. The priestly share ensured the priests were sustained through their dedicated service to God, illustrating God's provision for those who serve Him faithfully in His appointed way. This separation reinforces the sacred boundaries and the divine order of worship.

Leviticus 6 15 Commentary

Leviticus 6:15 is a precise ritual instruction that reveals profound theological principles about worship, offering, and God's relationship with His people. It outlines the specific duty of the priest in consecrating a small yet significant portion of the grain offering as a tangible "memorial portion" to the LORD. This handful, comprising the finest flour, oil, and frankincense, was transformed into smoke upon the altar. The "pleasing aroma" generated symbolized God's acceptance and satisfaction, signifying that the offerer's obedience and dedication were met with divine favor.

The concept of a "memorial portion" underscores that offerings were not merely acts of giving but also tangible representations of the offerer brought before God's remembrance in a favorable light. It points to God's attention and acknowledgement of the worshipper. The act of burning transforms the physical ingredients into a spiritual offering, ascendng to God. This daily or regular offering served as a constant reminder of God's covenant with Israel and the necessity of approaching Him with the "best" – not only in ingredients but in sincerity. In the New Covenant, while literal grain offerings are superseded by Christ's singular, perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-12), the principles remain. Believers are called to offer themselves as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1), and our acts of worship, prayer, praise, and good deeds can ascend as spiritual "pleasing aromas" and "memorials" before God, acceptable through Jesus Christ (Phil 4:18, Heb 13:15-16, 1 Pet 2:5, Acts 10:4).