Leviticus 2

Leviticus 2 focuses on the grain offering, also known as the “meat offering” in the King James Version, which was a voluntary offering given to God as a symbol of devotion, thanksgiving, and reliance on Him for provision. This chapter outlines various forms of this offering, including fine flour, unleavened cakes, and grain from the firstfruits. The grain offering often accompanied burnt offerings and was intended to demonstrate the worshiper’s acknowledgment of God's blessings.

Leviticus 2:1-3 (NKJV):

1 "When anyone offers a grain offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. And he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it. 2 He shall bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests, one of whom shall take from it his handful of fine flour and oil with all the frankincense; and the priest shall burn it as a memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. 3 The rest of the grain offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is most holy of the offerings to the Lord made by fire."

These verses describe the process of offering a grain offering. The worshiper brings fine flour mixed with oil and frankincense to the priests. The priest takes a portion and burns it on the altar as a "memorial," signifying gratitude and dedication to God. The rest of the grain offering is kept by the priests, symbolizing God's provision for His servants. The offering is considered “most holy,” emphasizing the sacredness of offerings presented to God.

Leviticus 2:4-6 (NKJV):

4 "And if you bring as an offering a grain offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil. 5 But if your offering is a grain offering baked in a pan, it shall be of fine flour, unleavened, mixed with oil. 6 You shall break it in pieces and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering."

Here, we see that the grain offering can take different forms, including baked cakes and wafers. The offerings must be unleavened, symbolizing purity and the removal of sin (as leaven often represents sin in the Bible). Oil represents the presence of the Holy Spirit. By breaking the offering and pouring oil on it, the worshiper symbolically demonstrates humility and reliance on God.

Leviticus 2:7-10 (NKJV):

7 "If your offering is a grain offering baked in a covered pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil. 8 You shall bring the grain offering that is made of these things to the Lord. And when it is presented to the priest, he shall bring it to the altar. 9 Then the priest shall take from the grain offering a memorial portion, and burn it on the altar. It is an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. 10 And what is left of the grain offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is most holy of the offerings to the Lord made by fire."

These verses expand on the different ways the grain offering can be prepared, whether in a pan or covered. The priest takes a portion to burn as a symbol of offering to God, while the remainder is kept by the priests. This highlights God’s provision for the priests and the importance of dedicating a portion of one’s labor (represented by the grain) to God.

Leviticus 2:11 (NKJV):

11 "No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire."

Leaven and honey are prohibited in grain offerings. Leaven, as mentioned before, represents sin and corruption, and its exclusion emphasizes purity. Honey, though sweet, might ferment and thus symbolizes decay. The grain offering was meant to be pure and wholly dedicated to God, reflecting the holiness He requires in offerings.

Leviticus 2:12 (NKJV):

12 "As for the offering of the firstfruits, you shall offer them to the Lord, but they shall not be burned on the altar for a sweet aroma."

Firstfruits offerings were brought to acknowledge God's provision at harvest time. While they were an important acknowledgment of God's blessings, they were not to be burned on the altar like other grain offerings. This regulation points to the different purposes and symbolic meanings attached to various types of offerings.

Leviticus 2:13 (NKJV):

13 "And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt."

Salt was a critical part of the grain offering and represented the covenant between God and His people. In ancient times, salt symbolized preservation and purity. The inclusion of salt in the offerings reinforced the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel and highlighted the need for faithfulness and integrity in the worshiper's relationship with God.

Leviticus 2:14-16 (NKJV):

14 "If you offer a grain offering of your firstfruits to the Lord, you shall offer for the grain offering of your firstfruits green heads of grain roasted on the fire, grain beaten from full heads. 15 And you shall put oil on it, and lay frankincense on it. It is a grain offering. 16 Then the priest shall burn the memorial portion: part of its beaten grain and part of its oil, with all the frankincense, as an offering made by fire to the Lord."

The offering of firstfruits involves green heads of grain that are roasted and beaten, showing a dedication of the earliest produce of the land to God. As with other grain offerings, oil and frankincense are added, and the priest burns a portion as a memorial to God. This offering recognizes God's provision from the very beginning of the harvest and expresses trust in His continued blessings.