Bible Commentaries

LEVITICUS CHAPTER 2

Concerning free-will meat-offerings, of fine flour with oil and frankincense upon it, Leviticus 2:1; for a memorial, Leviticus 2:2. The remainder most holy, to be eaten by Aaron and his sons, Leviticus 2:3. Of baked and unleavened cakes mixed and wafers sprinkled with oil, Leviticus 2:4; or dressed in the pan, Leviticus 2:5; or in the frying-pan, Leviticus 2:7; but without leaven or honey, Leviticus 2:11. The firstlings excepted, Leviticus 2:12. Salt of the covenant to be offered, Leviticus 2:13. First-fruits, how to be offered, Leviticus 2:14-16.

A meat-offering was of two kinds; the one joined with other offerings, Numbers 15:4,7,10, which was prescribed, together with the measure or proportion of it; the other, of which this place speaks, was a distinct and separate offering, and was left to the offerer’s good will, both for the thing and for the quantity. And the matter of this offering was things without life, as meal, corn, cakes, &c. Now this sort of sacrifices were appointed,

1. Because these are things of greatest necessity and benefit to man, and therefore it is meet that God should be served with them, and owned and praised as the giver of them.

2. In condescension to the poor, that they might not want an offering for God, and to show that God would accept even the meanest services, when offered to him with a sincere mind.

3. These were necessary provisions for the feast, which was here to be represented to God, and for the use of the priests, who were to attend upon these holy ministrations.

Fine flour, searched, or sifted, and purged from all bran, it being fit that the best things should be offered to the best Being.

He shall pour oil upon it; which may note the graces of the Holy Ghost, which are compared to oil, and anointing with it, Psalms 45:7 1 John 2:20, and which are necessary to make any offering acceptable to God. The frankincense manifestly designed Christ’s satisfaction and intercession, which is compared to a sweet odour, Ephesians 5:2, and to incense, Revelation 8:3.

He shall take, i.e. that priest to whom he brought it, and who is appointed to offer it.

The memorial of it; that part thus selected and offered; which is called a memorial, either,

1. To the offerer, who by offering this part is minded that the whole of that he brought, and of all which he hath of that kind, is God’s, to whom this part was paid as a quitrent or acknowledgment. Or,

2. To God, whom (to speak after the manner of men) this did put in mind of his gracious covenant, and promises of favour and acceptance of the offerer and his offering. See Exodus 30:16 Leviticus 6:15 Numbers 5:26

Aaron’s and his sons’, to be eaten by them, Leviticus 6:16. i.e. Most holy, or such as were to be eaten only by the priests, and that only in the. holy place near the altar. See Leviticus 6:26 7:6,9 21:22.

Baken in the oven; made in the sanctuary for that use, as may seem from 1 Chronicles 23:28,29 Eze 46:20.

Thou shalt part it in pieces; because part of it was offered to God, and part given to the priest.

No meat offering, to wit, which is offered of free will; for in other offerings it might be used, Leviticus 7:13 23:17.

Shall be made with leaven: this was forbidden, partly to mind them of their deliverance out of Egypt, when they were forced through haste to bring away their meal or dough (which was the matter of this oblation) unleavened; partly to signify what Christ would be, and what they should be, pure and free from all error in the faith and worship of God, and from all hypocrisy and malice or wickedness, all which are signified by

leaven, Matthew 16:12 Mark 8:15 Luke 12:1 1 Corinthians 5:8 Galatians 5:9.

Nor any honey; either,

1. Because it hath the same effect with leaven in paste or dough, making it sour, and swelling. Or,

2. In opposition to the sacrifices of the Gentiles, in which the use of honey was most frequent. Or,

3. To teach us that God’s worship is not to be governed by men’s fancies and appetites, to which honey might have been grateful, but by God’s will. The Jews conceive, that under the name of honey all sweet fruits, as figs, dates, &c., are contained and forbidden.

Or, the offering, or, for the offering of the first-fruits you

shall or may offer them, or either of them, to wit, leaven or honey, which were offered and accepted in that case, Leviticus 23:17 2 Chronicles 31:5.

They shall not be burnt; but reserved for the priests, Numbers 18:13 Deuteronomy 18:4.

Every oblation of thy meat-offering shalt thou season with salt; either,

1. For the decency and conveniency of the feast, which God would have here represented. Or,

2. For the signification of that incorruption of mind, and sincerity of grace, which in Scripture is signified by salt, Mark 9:49 Colossians 4:6, and which is necessary in all them that would offer an acceptable offering to God. Or,

3. In testimony of that communion which they had with God in these exercises of his worship; salt being the great symbol of friendship in all nations and ages. The salt of the covenant of thy God: so salt is called, either,

1. Because it fitly represented the durableness and perpetuity of God’s covenant with them, which is designed by salt, Numbers 18:19 2 Chronicles 13:5. Or,

2. Because it was so particularly and rigorously required as a condition of their covenant with God; this being made absolutely necessary in all their offerings, as it follows; and as the neglect of sacrifices was a breach of covenant on their part, so also was the neglect of salt in their sacrifices. With all thine offerings; not these only, but all other, as appears from Ezekiel 43:24 Mark 9:49.

If thou offer a meat-offering of thy first-fruits, to wit, of thine own free will; for there were other first-fruits, and that of several sorts, which were prescribed, and the time, quality, and proportion of them appointed by God. See Leviticus 23:10.