Leviticus 8 32

Leviticus 8:32 kjv

And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire.

Leviticus 8:32 nkjv

What remains of the flesh and of the bread you shall burn with fire.

Leviticus 8:32 niv

Then burn up the rest of the meat and the bread.

Leviticus 8:32 esv

And what remains of the flesh and the bread you shall burn up with fire.

Leviticus 8:32 nlt

Any meat or bread that is left over must then be burned up.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 32 Meaning

This verse instructs Moses to command Aaron and his sons to burn with fire any remaining portions of the consecrated flesh and bread that were not eaten by the end of the specified time. This act of burning signifies the complete and holy disposal of sacred elements, ensuring no part of what was dedicated to the Lord was treated as common, profane, or allowed to decay, thereby maintaining ritual purity and reverencing God's commands concerning His offerings.

Leviticus 8 32 Context

Leviticus chapter 8 details the seven-day consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests, as previously commanded by the Lord to Moses in Exodus 29. The immediate verses preceding 8:32 describe specific actions within this elaborate ritual: Moses anointed Aaron and his sons, clothed them, offered sin and burnt offerings for them, and then offered a ram of consecration. Verses 31 states that Moses commanded Aaron and his sons to cook the flesh of the ram of consecration at the door of the tabernacle, and eat it there, along with the bread from the basket of consecration offerings. Leviticus 8:32 follows as a specific directive for the handling of any portion of these sacred offerings—the consecrated ram's flesh and the consecrated bread—that might remain after the required eating, commanding that such remnants must be burned with fire. This strict disposal command underlines the extraordinary holiness of the items used in the priestly consecration, ensuring they are not treated as common or subject to defilement or decay. The context is entirely focused on the establishment of a set-apart priesthood, ritual purity, and unwavering obedience to divine ordinance.

Leviticus 8 32 Word analysis

• And what remaineth (וְהַנּוֹתָר֙ - v'han-notar): This term comes from the Hebrew root yathar (יָתַר), meaning "to be left over," "to remain," or "to excel." Here, it specifically refers to portions of the sacred offerings (flesh and bread) that were not consumed as prescribed. The implication is not of mere waste, but of sacred residue that cannot be permitted to remain in an ordinary state, highlighting God's exhaustive claim over anything dedicated to Him.
• of the flesh (בַּבָּשָׂ֣ר - ba-bāśār): Refers to the meat of the ram of consecration, a highly significant animal in the ordination ritual. Its holiness demands careful handling even after being eaten, emphasizing the distinction between sacred and common.
• and of the bread (וּבַלֶּ֖חֶם - ū-bal-leḥem): This denotes the unleavened bread, cakes, and wafers taken from the basket of consecration, which accompanied the animal sacrifices. Like the flesh, these items became sacred through their dedication and could not be treated as ordinary food once consecrated.
• shall ye burn (תִּשְׂרְפ֥וּ - tisrephu): Derived from the verb saraph (שָׂרַף), "to burn completely," "to consume with fire." In a sacrificial context, burning signifies a complete disposal that renders the item irretrievable and often, conceptually, sent to God. It prevents profanation, decay, or misuse of holy items. This burning is a prescribed ritual action, not just waste management.
• with fire (בָּאֵֽשׁ - ba-’ēsh): 'Esh (אֵשׁ) means "fire." The specific mention of "fire" underscores the prescribed method of destruction. Fire is often associated with divine presence, judgment, and purification in the Bible, further reinforcing the sacredness of the act.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And what remaineth of the flesh and of the bread": This phrase meticulously specifies the materials subject to the command. It's not all the flesh and bread, but precisely "what remaineth" after the commanded consumption. This underscores the precise nature of the Lord's instructions regarding sacred items. It's a reminder that even the leftovers of holy things remain holy and demand special treatment, preventing any desecration or decay that could imply imperfection or lack in God's provision or requirements.
• "shall ye burn with fire": This direct imperative leaves no room for alternative disposal. The burning is a ritual act ensuring the complete consumption and transformation of the holy remnants, returning them, in a symbolic sense, to the divine realm, or ensuring their non-contamination. It underlines the concept of separation: once consecrated for divine use, nothing associated with the offering, not even its remnants, can revert to common use. This act serves as a constant reminder to the priests of the extreme holiness of the items and the strictness of God's requirements for approaching Him.

Leviticus 8 32 Bonus section

The command in Lev 8:32 mirrors similar directives given for other sacred offerings like the Passover lamb (Ex 12:10) and specific sin offerings whose blood was brought into the Holy Place (Lev 6:30). This consistency reinforces a broader theological principle in the Old Testament: the utter consumption and careful disposal of holy things after their purpose or designated consumption time reflects God's complete ownership and sanctity. It prevents putrefaction, which was associated with decay and death, symbolically opposing the life-giving presence of God in the Tabernacle. This meticulous instruction about remnants signifies that holiness extends even to what seems negligible, teaching the priests that their service to God required scrupulous attention to every detail of His commands, symbolizing the complete devotion expected from those in His service.

Leviticus 8 32 Commentary

Leviticus 8:32 serves as a critical directive within the ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons, underscoring fundamental principles of the Old Covenant. It highlights the absolute holiness of all elements consecrated to God and the strictness required in handling them. The command to burn the remnants ensures that no sacred object or its part can become defiled, neglected, or revert to common use, thereby preventing dishonor to the Lord. This act of burning is not mere waste disposal but a liturgical requirement demonstrating reverence, obedience, and an understanding of the impassable chasm between the sacred and the common. It instills in the nascent priesthood a deep respect for God's precise commands and the pervasive holiness that permeates everything associated with His presence and service, ensuring no aspect of divine worship is left to human discretion or treated lightly.