THE GRAIN OFFERING

Passage: Leviticus 2:1-16

Key verse: 13

NIV

The Grain Offering

2 “‘When anyone brings a grain offering(A) to the Lord, their offering is to be of the finest flour.(B) They are to pour olive oil(C) on it,(D) put incense on it(E) 2 and take it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour(F) and oil, together with all the incense,(G) and burn this as a memorial[a] portion(H) on the altar, a food offering,(I) an aroma pleasing to the Lord.(J) 3 The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons;(K) it is a most holy(L) part of the food offerings presented to the Lord.

4 “‘If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven,(M) it is to consist of the finest flour: either thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in or thin loaves(N) made without yeast and brushed with olive oil.(O) 5 If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle,(P) it is to be made of the finest flour mixed with oil, and without yeast. 6 Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. 7 If your grain offering is cooked in a pan,(Q) it is to be made of the finest flour and some olive oil. 8 Bring the grain offering made of these things to the Lord; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar. 9 He shall take out the memorial portion(R) from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.(S) 10 The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons;(T) it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the Lord.(U)

11 “‘Every grain offering you bring to the Lord must be made without yeast,(V) for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in a food offering presented to the Lord. 12 You may bring them to the Lord as an offering of the firstfruits,(W) but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma. 13 Season all your grain offerings with salt.(X) Do not leave the salt of the covenant(Y) of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.

14 “‘If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits(Z) to the Lord, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire. 15 Put oil and incense(AA) on it; it is a grain offering. 16 The priest shall burn the memorial portion(AB) of the crushed grain and the oil, together with all the incense,(AC) as a food offering presented to the Lord.(AD)

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Footnotes
  1. Leviticus 2:2 Or representative; also in verses 9 and 16
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Laws for Grain Offerings

2 “When anyone brings a (A)grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. (B)He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it 2 and bring it to Aaron's sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its (C)memorial portion on the altar, a food (D)offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 3 But the (E)rest of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; (F)it is a most holy part of the Lord's food offerings.

4 “When you bring a grain offering baked in the oven as an offering, it shall be (G)unleavened loaves of fine flour mixed with oil or unleavened wafers smeared with oil. 5 And if your offering is a grain offering (H)baked on a griddle, 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. 7 And if your offering is a grain offering cooked in a pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil. 8 And 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 And the priest shall take from the grain offering its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, a food (I)offering with a (J)pleasing aroma to the Lord. 10 But the (K)rest of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; (L)it is a most holy part of the Lord's food offerings.

11 “No grain offering that you bring to the Lord shall be made with (M)leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey as a food offering to the Lord. 12 (N)As an offering of firstfruits you may bring them to the Lord, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing aroma. 13 You (O)shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the (P)salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; (Q)with all your offerings you shall offer salt.

14 “If you offer a grain offering of firstfruits to the Lord, you shall offer for the grain offering of your firstfruits fresh (R)ears, roasted with fire, crushed new grain. 15 And (S)you shall put oil on it and lay frankincense on it; it is a grain offering. 16 And the priest shall burn as its (T)memorial portion some of the crushed grain and some of the oil with all of its frankincense; it is a food offering to the Lord.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The grain offering is given as a sign of thanksgiving to God for his faithful provision. The grain offering should be of the finest flour and mixed with oil and frankincense. The oil makes it sweet, and frankincense makes it expensive. A memorial portion of the flour is to be burned on the altar to God, and the rest must be given to the priests. Have you made an offering to give thanks?

The grain offering is baked at home, showing the devotion of the worshiper. Instructions for the different types of grain offering are described in detail. It is crucial that they did not include yeast or honey. Yeast symbolizes an old batch, or the corruption of original sin. Honey is typically used in pagan offerings. They represent sin and pride, a little of which could corrupt the whole.

Verse 13 mentions the covenant of salt three times. Salt is used to purify and preserve. It was also expensive. It represents the faithful, enduring covenant with God. This covenant is referred to two other places in the Old Testament (Nu 18:19; 2 Ch 13:5), and Jesus talks about being the salt of the earth (Mt 5:13). This seasoned grain offering represents Christ, our Bread of Life. He sustains us and satisfies us in every way.

Prayer: Father, thank you for providing everything for me. Help me to keep my covenant through Jesus’ blood with you purely and faithfully.

One Word: An offering of thanksgiving