Leviticus 2 & 3

CHAPTER 2
          This chapter focuses on the meat offering. The Hebrew word for “meat” in verse 1 is “minchâh”, which means “gift, tribute, or offering”. (Brown-Driver-Briggs Bible dictionary) (Leviticus 6:14, 9:17, Numbers 15:4) The reason the King James translators use the word “meat” here is because in their time “meat” referred to food in a general sense, not just the flesh of an animal as we commonly refer to it today. This offering is the only one that is a bloodless offering as it does not require the flesh of an animal. Like the burnt offering, this one is voluntary, and it’s offered up to God as a thanksgiving for firstfruits, hence the name of “minchâh”.
          This sacrifice is composed of grain or cereals made from fine flour, oil, and frankincense. (v.1) As I’ve noted in earlier commentaries, oil is a food staple of the ANE, and is also representative in scripture of the Holy Spirit. According to my study Bible, frankincense is a specific incense of very high quality, and it’s white like the manna. (Exodus 16:14, Numbers 11:8) As you’ll recall from my earlier notes on the tabernacle, frankincense and oil are both key ingredients in that which is burned daily on the altar of incense and the lighting of the golden candlestick, respectively.
            As with all other offerings and sacrifices, the meat offering must be done at the tabernacle by the priest. (v.2) (Leviticus 5:12, 6:15, 24:7, Acts 10:4) We see here again the phrase “…a sweet savour unto the Lord.” (Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17) The remnant of this offering that is left over after it’s burned “…shall be Aaron’s and his sons’…”. (v.3) Once again, God is making provision for the priests in the course of their daily duties in the tabernacle.
 
           Verses 4-11: The word “oblation” in verse 4 is translated from the Hebrew word “qorbân” (also spelled “qûrbân”), and it means “something brought near the altar that is sacrificial”, according to Strong’s dictionary and concordance. These verses give instruction regarding the preparation of this offering if it is baked in the oven (v.4), or a flat pan (v.5), or a covered pan, a.k.a. a frying pan (v.7). Note the specific warning about cakes or wafers that are baked without leaven in verses 4 and 5. Remember that leaven in the OT represents sin. Verse 11 further stipulates that no leaven or honey is allowed in any offering unto God made by fire. (Exodus 23:18, 34:25, Leviticus 6:16-17) Both Christ and the apostle Paul refer back to these passages in the OT when discussing leaven. (Matthew 16:12, Mark 8:15, Luke 12:1, 1 Corinthians 5:8, Galatians 5:9) Honey represents natural sweetness and, possibly, fermentation, while leaven is often used in Canaanite sacrificial rites. (Amos 4:4-5)
 
           Verse 12: The oblation of firstfruits is not to be burned on the altar. (Exodus 22:29, 34:22) Firstfruits are the best of the annual harvest, the first of the crop. These are to be brought to the tabernacle and given to the priest who will then offer them up as a wave or a heave offering (Leviticus 23:10-11, 17-18) After that, presumably, they are for the priests to consume.
 
          Verse 13: Salt is often used symbolically in covenants among the peoples of the ANE at this time. Numbers 18:19 and 2 Chronicles 13:5 use the phrase “a covenant of salt”. In contrast to leaven, salt is a preservative, and is referenced in the NT as a positive trait for all true believers. (Mark 9:49-50, Colossians 4:6) Here in Leviticus, God is commanding that salt be used in all the meat offerings as a symbol of His covenant with Israel. (Ezekiel 43:24) According to the Moody Bible Commentary, “Salt then spoke not only of purity, but even more importantly of longevity. Adding salt to the grain offering reminded Israel that the covenant God had made with them was an enduring covenant.”
 
            Verses 14-16: According to Logos, “green ears of corn” (v.14) is an ANE term for barley. (Leviticus 23:14, 2 Kings 4:42) Barley is “…a grain crop widely cultivated in Egypt (Exodus 9:31) and Palestine (Leviticus 27:16, Deuteronomy 8:8). Barley was used as food for both animals and people (Numbers 5:15, Judges 7:13, 1 Kings 4:28, John 6:9). It was typically harvested in March or April, around the time of Passover (Ruth 1:22, 2 Samuel 21:9).”
 
           It’s worth noting here that at the time God was giving these commandments about the meat offerings, the Israelites were in the desert. Grain could not be grown in the desert and, thus, could only be purchased at great cost. Therefore, some of these commands from God would not apply until the Israelites were settled in the promised land of Canaan. “The symbolism inherent in the grain offering demonstrated both the worshiper’s dedication to God and his gratitude for the Lord’s provision. In the same way, God is pleased today when His people demonstrate their dedication to Him by offering a portion of their life goods.” (Moody Bible Commentary)

CHAPTER 3
          The third type of offering is the fellowship offering, a.k.a. peace offering. (Leviticus 7:11, 29) Referring back to the table in chapter 1, this offering also includes the thank offering, vow offering and freewill offering. (Leviticus 7:11-36, 22:17-30, and chapter 27) This one, too, is voluntary, and it symbolizes fellowship with God, as well as thankfulness for a specific blessing; a ritual expression of a vow; or just a general thankfulness to God for His providence and care.
           The animal for this offering can be either male or female, and can be selected of the herd (oxen or cattle), or a lamb or goat from the flock. (v.1, 6, 12) As with all other burnt offerings the animal cannot have any spot or blemish. It must be perfect. (Leviticus 1:3, 22:20) As with the burnt offering described in chapter 1, the one bringing the animal for sacrifice will lay his hand upon the head of the animal before slaying it in the courtyard of the tabernacle. (v.2) (Exodus 29:10-11, 16, 20, Leviticus 1:4-5, 16:21)
      
        Verses 3-5, 10-11, 14-16: All of these verses make specific mention of the fat of the animal, both that which “…covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards…” (v.3), as well as the kidneys and the caul of the liver. (v.4, 10, 15) (The caul refers to the piece of fatty flesh attached to the liver.) All of this is to be taken away and burned on the altar as “…a sweet savour unto the Lord.” (v.5, 16) (Exodus 29:13, 22, Leviticus 1:8, 4:8-9) Leviticus 7:31-32 further explains that the breast and the right shoulder shall be given to Aaron and his sons after first being presented as a heave offering. The rest may be taken by the one bringing the animal for sacrifice. This is the only offering of which he receives a portion.
 
             Verse 17: As with many other ordinances and rituals of the Mosaic law, the rules for these sacrifices are “…a perpetual statute…” for all generations. (Leviticus 6:18, 7:36, 17:7, 23:14) None of the fat is to be consumed, either by the priest or by the one bringing the peace offering. It is for God alone. The commentary in my study Bible points out that the kidneys, the caul, and the fat of the animal are often a reference in scripture to the seat of one’s emotions. (Job 19:27, Psalm 16:7, 139:13, Jeremiah 4:14, 12:2) (The term “reins” in the KJV refers to one’s “inward parts”.) Thus, the peace offering symbolizes the dedication of one’s best and deepest emotions to the Lord. The commentary also states that, “These types of offerings were made quite frequently in emotional situations, when one made vows or found himself seeking God’s deliverance or praising Him for His mercy.”
           This verse also reminds the people that none of the blood is ever to be consumed, either by them or the priests. (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 7:23, 26, 17:10, 14, 1 Samuel 14:33) Blood represents life, and all life belongs to God alone. Not only does the drinking of raw blood bring with it numerous risks to one’s health, but it’s also a staple of many pagan rituals of the heathen nations that surround Israel at this time. Therefore God forbids His chosen people to consume blood in any manner during any of the burnt offerings and sacrifices.
 
            The Believer’s Bible Commentary has this to say of the peace offering: “The finished work of Christ in relation to the believer is seen in the peace offering. The Lord Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14), having made peace through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20). He preached this peace to those who were afar off and to those who were near (Ephesians 2:17), thus breaking down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile. In Christ, God and the sinner meet in peace; the enmity that was ours is gone. God is propitiated, the sinner is reconciled, and both alike are satisfied with Christ and with what He has done.”