And the remnant 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 2:3KJV
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Leviticus 2:3 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 2:3 mean?

Leviticus 2:3 explains that whatever is left over from the grain offering, after part has been burned, belongs to Aaron and his sons, the priests. This leftover portion is considered “most holy” among the offerings made by fire to the LORD.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelites about the grain offering, a type of sacrifice brought to the tabernacle. The priests, Aaron and his sons, are allowed to eat the remainder of the offering, but it is set apart as especially holy, meaning it must be treated with great respect and only eaten by those who are consecrated for priestly service.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 2:3

  • “Remnant” (יֶתֶר, yeter): This word means what is left over or remaining. It highlights that the priests do not take from the main part offered to God, but only from what remains after the ritual.
  • “Most holy” (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים, qodesh qadashim): This phrase means “a holiness of holinesses,” stressing that this part of the offering is not just holy, but set apart to the highest degree. Only those who are ritually clean and authorized (the priests) can partake of it.
  • “Offerings made by fire” (אִשֶּׁה, ishsheh): This term refers to sacrifices that are burned on the altar, indicating that the offering has already been partly given to God through fire before the priests receive their share.

Why Leviticus 2:3 matters

  • Leviticus 2:3 clarifies that not all offerings were completely burned; some parts were meant to support the priests, showing how God provided for those serving in the tabernacle.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness and sacredness of the priests’ role, since only they could eat what was “most holy.”
  • This instruction ties into the wider passage by showing the careful balance between what is given to God and what is given to those who serve Him, reflecting the order and respect built into Israel’s worship practices.

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.

“remnant” 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: