Leviticus 2

Le 2:1-16.

THE

MEAT

OFFERINGS.

1. when any will offer a meat offering--or gift--distinguishing

a bloodless from a bloody sacrifice. The word "meat," however, is

improper, as its meaning as now used is different from that attached at

the date of our English translation. It was then applied not to

"flesh," but "food," generally, and here it is applied to the flour of

wheat. The meat offerings were intended as a thankful acknowledgment

for the bounty of Providence; and hence, although meat offerings

accompanied some of the appointed sacrifices, those here described

being voluntary oblations, were offered alone.

pour oil upon it--Oil was used as butter is with us;

symbolically it meant the influences of the Spirit, of which oil was

the emblem, as incense was of prayer.

2. shall burn the memorial--rather, "for a memorial"; that is, a

part of it.

3. the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his

sons'--The circumstance of a portion of it being appropriated to

the use of the priests distinguishes this from a burnt offering. They

alone were to partake of it within the sacred precincts, as among "the

most holy things."

4. if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the

oven--generally a circular hole excavated in the floor, from one to

five feet deep, the sides of which are covered with hardened plaster,

on which cakes are baked of the form and thickness of pancakes. (See

on

Ge 18:6).

The shape of Eastern ovens varies considerably according to the nomadic

or settled habits of the people.

5. baken in a pan--a thin plate, generally of copper or iron,

placed on a slow fire, similar to what the country people in Scotland

called a "girdle" for baking oatmeal cakes.

6. part it in pieces, and pour oil thereon--Pouring oil on bread

is a common practice among Eastern people, who are fond of broken bread

dipped in oil, butter, and milk. Oil only was used in the meat

offerings, and probably for a symbolic reason. It is evident that these

meat offerings were previously prepared by the offerer, and when

brought, the priest was to take it from his hands and burn a portion on

the altar.

11. ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the

Lord--Nothing sweet or sour was to be offered. In the warm climates

of the East leavened bread soon spoils, and hence it was regarded as

the emblem of hypocrisy or corruption. Some, however, think that the

prohibition was that leaven and honey were used in the idolatrous rites

of the heathen.

12. the oblation of the first-fruits--voluntary offerings made

used with these

(Le 23:17;

Nu 15:20).

Though presented at the altar, they were not consumed, but assigned by

God for the use of the priests.

13. every . . . meat offering shalt thou season with

salt--The same reasons which led to the prohibition of leaven,

recommended the use of salt--if the one soon putrefies, the other

possesses a strongly preservative property, and hence it became an

emblem of incorruption and purity, as well as of a perpetual

covenant--a perfect reconciliation and lasting friendship. No

injunction in the whole law was more sacredly observed than this

application of salt; for besides other uses of it that will be noticed

elsewhere, it had a typical meaning referred to by our Lord concerning

the effect of the Gospel on those who embrace it

(Mr 9:49, 50);

as when plentifully applied it preserves meat from spoiling, so will

the Gospel keep men from being corrupted by sin. And as salt was

indispensable to render sacrifices acceptable to God, so the Gospel,

brought home to the hearts of men by the Holy Ghost, is indispensably

requisite to their offering up of themselves as living sacrifices

[BROWN].

14. a meat offering of thy first-fruits--From the mention of

"green ears," this seems to have been a voluntary offering before the

harvest--the ears being prepared in the favorite way of Eastern people,

designed to be an early tribute of pious thankfulness for the earth's

increase, and it was offered according to the usual directions.