And that which is left of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.

LEVITICUS 2:10KJV
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Leviticus 2:10 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 2:10 mean?

Leviticus 2:10 explains that whatever remains of the grain (meat) offering after part is burned on the altar belongs to Aaron and his sons, the priests, and that this portion is considered especially holy among the offerings made to the LORD by fire. This verse sets apart the leftover portion for the priests, emphasizing its sacred status.

In context, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to bring grain offerings at the Tabernacle. The priests, Aaron and his sons, are allowed to eat what is left after the offering is made, but it is not ordinary food—it is described as "most holy," meaning it must be treated with special respect and handled only by those set apart for priestly service.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 2:10

  • "most holy" and "holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): The Hebrew repeats the word for "holy" to stress the highest level of sacredness, showing that this food is not just set apart, but set apart in a special way for God.
  • "offering" (מִנְחָה, minchah): This word refers specifically to a grain offering, not an animal sacrifice, highlighting that even non-meat offerings were treated with great seriousness.
  • "offerings...made by fire" (אִשֶּׁה, ishsheh): This term means something offered up in fire to God, underlining that what is left over has already been given to God in a special way before being given to the priests.

Why Leviticus 2:10 matters

  • Leviticus 2:10 clarifies that the priests did not simply take whatever they wanted; their portion was what remained after God’s part was offered, and it was considered extremely sacred.
  • The verse highlights that even grain offerings, not just animal sacrifices, were treated with the highest level of holiness, showing the seriousness of all worship practices in ancient Israel.
  • This instruction connects to the wider passage by showing how God provided for the priests through the offerings, while also setting strict boundaries about what was holy and who could handle it.

Where else these words appear

“offerings” Hebrew H801 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 6:18 All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.
  • Leviticus 24:7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

“left” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 21:5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs: