Leviticus 9 17

Leviticus 9:17 kjv

And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.

Leviticus 9:17 nkjv

Then he brought the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt sacrifice of the morning.

Leviticus 9:17 niv

He also brought the grain offering, took a handful of it and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning's burnt offering.

Leviticus 9:17 esv

And he presented the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.

Leviticus 9:17 nlt

He also presented the grain offering, burning a handful of the flour mixture on the altar, in addition to the regular burnt offering for the morning.

Leviticus 9 verses

Leviticus 9 17 Meaning

Leviticus 9:17 describes a specific action performed by Aaron, the newly consecrated High Priest, during the inaugural priestly service for the tabernacle. It states that Aaron brought forward the grain offering, meticulously took a specific portion (a handful) from it, and then burned this portion on the altar. This particular offering was performed in addition to, and not in place of, the regularly mandated morning burnt offering. The act underscores the institution of proper worship practices, highlighting both the particularity of the grain offering and its place within the broader sacrificial system. It signifies a priestly act of presenting tribute and dedication to God.

Leviticus 9 17 Context

Leviticus 9 marks a monumental event in Israel's history: the official consecration of Aaron and his sons as the high priests, and the commencement of their sacred duties in the tabernacle. Following a seven-day ordination ceremony (Lev 8), Chapter 9 describes the eighth day, when Aaron, for the first time, performs sacrifices on behalf of the whole congregation of Israel. This chapter lays the foundation for all subsequent temple worship. The sequence of sacrifices on this day (sin offering, burnt offering, peace offering, and grain offering) systematically addresses purification, dedication, fellowship, and finally, thanksgiving and dependence. Verse 17 fits within this meticulous process, immediately following the peace offering, further demonstrating the complete nature of offerings required to approach a holy God. The overall context is one of establishing precise worship protocols, divinely commanded to ensure that Israel's relationship with Yahweh is maintained through proper priestly mediation. This initial performance ensures that all future sacrificial acts conform to the divine blueprint.

Leviticus 9 17 Word analysis

• And he brought: Refers to Aaron, the newly consecrated High Priest. The verb in Hebrew, יַקְרֵב (yaqrev), signifies "to cause to come near" or "to present," highlighting the priestly role of mediation—bringing offerings into God's presence.
• the grain offering: מִנְחָה (minchah). This offering was typically made of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense (Lev 2). Unlike blood sacrifices for sin or complete dedication, the minchah usually expressed devotion, thanksgiving, and acknowledgement of God's provision and sovereignty. It was a common, voluntary offering that often accompanied other sacrifices or served as a poor man's offering when blood offerings were not affordable.
• and took a handful of it: וַיִּקְמֹץ מִמֶּנָּה (vayyiqmotz mimmennah). This specific action, "scooping a handful," is crucial for the grain offering. This "handful" (qōmets) was the "memorial portion" (אֵזְכָּרָה, azkarah) which alone was to be burned on the altar (Lev 2:2, 2:9). The remainder of the offering was usually for the priests' consumption, making this portion uniquely dedicated to God as a symbolic remembrance.
• and burned it on the altar: וַיַּקְטֵר עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (vayyaqṭer al-hammizbeach). The verb יַקְטֵר (yaqṭer) means "to make smoke" or "to cause to go up in smoke," often in the context of producing a pleasing aroma (ריח ניחוח, reah nihoach) to the LORD (e.g., Ex 29:18, Lev 1:9). It implies dedication and consumption by divine fire, making the offering acceptable to God. The "altar" here is the bronze altar of burnt offering, signifying the designated place of approach to God.
• besides the burnt offering of the morning: מִלְּבַד עֹלַת הַבֹּקֶר (milləḇad ʿōlaṯ habboqer). This phrase is highly significant. מִלְּבַד (milləḇad) means "apart from," "in addition to," or "besides." It emphasizes that this specific grain offering by Aaron was supplementary to the perpetual daily burnt offering (Ex 29:38-42, Num 28:3-8), not a replacement. The "burnt offering of the morning" was the first ritual conducted daily at the tabernacle, symbolizing continuous dedication and atonement. Its mention here clarifies that even on this unique day of consecration, the foundational, perpetual worship of God was not suspended but was instead enhanced by Aaron's inaugural offerings. This highlights the layer-upon-layer complexity and reverence in Israelite worship.

Leviticus 9 17 Bonus section

The progression of offerings in Leviticus 9—sin offering, burnt offering, peace offering, and then the grain offering—follows a logical theological sequence. First, sin must be dealt with (sin offering). Then, total dedication to God is signified (burnt offering). Following reconciliation and dedication, there can be fellowship with God and others (peace offering). Finally, the grain offering signifies a thankful acknowledgment of God's sustaining grace and provision in one's life, demonstrating that spiritual life and prosperity flow from His hand. It represents the "fruit" of life offered back to the Creator. The minchah, made of non-perishable staples like flour, oil, and incense, often represented human labor and agricultural bounty, thereby emphasizing God's blessing on one's daily life and work. This stood in stark contrast to pagan fertility cults that sought to manipulate deities for agricultural abundance; here, the abundance was recognized as a gift from YHWH, offered back to Him in gratitude.

Leviticus 9 17 Commentary

Leviticus 9:17 presents a pivotal moment in the establishment of formal worship for Israel. Aaron's actions underscore the precise and divinely ordained nature of Old Testament sacrifices. The "grain offering" (minchah) stands out as distinct from blood sacrifices; it represented not atonement for sin, but thanksgiving, dedication, and dependence on God for provision, made from the fruits of the earth. The careful act of taking a "handful" and burning only this portion (the "memorial portion") emphasized that the entire offering, representing the worshipper's labor or sustenance, was presented to God through this consecrated sample, with the remainder becoming the priest's livelihood, symbolizing fellowship and provision for God's ministers. The inclusion of this offering "besides the burnt offering of the morning" highlights continuity and augmentation. Even as the new high priest conducted these inaugural rites, the regular daily sacrifices, symbolizing the continuous atonement and dedication required by God's holiness, were not neglected but were the baseline upon which other special offerings were built. This entire ritual was a foundational demonstration of the priesthood's duty to minister according to God's exact commands, setting a standard for acceptable worship that pointed toward a holy God and the necessity of obedient and sanctified service.