And the priest shall take from the meat offering a memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

LEVITICUS 2:9KJV
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Leviticus 2:9 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 2:9 mean?

Leviticus 2:9 describes how the priest is to take a portion of the grain offering, called a "memorial," and burn it on the altar as an offering by fire, which is pleasing to the LORD. This act sets apart part of the offering to be given directly to God, showing honor and dedication.

In context, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to present grain offerings at the Tabernacle. The priest acts as a go-between for the people and God, handling the offering in a specific way. The "memorial" portion burned on the altar represents the whole gift, symbolizing that the entire offering belongs to God even if only a part is burned.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 2:9

  • "Memorial" (אַזְכָּרָה, ’azkarah): This word means a portion set aside to be remembered before God. Burning the "memorial" makes the offering a lasting reminder of the giver’s devotion.
  • "Sweet" (נִיחוֹחַ, nichoach) and "savour" (רֵיחַ, reyach): These words together describe the offering as having a pleasing aroma to the LORD. This is not about a literal smell but about God accepting the offering favorably.
  • "Offering" (מִנְחָה, minchah): This term refers specifically to a grain or meal offering, not an animal sacrifice. It highlights that worship could include everyday gifts like flour or oil, not just costly animals.

Why Leviticus 2:9 matters

  • Leviticus 2:9 clarifies that only a portion of the grain offering was burned, not the whole, with the rest given to the priests. This shows a balance between honoring God and providing for those serving in the Tabernacle.
  • The verse emphasizes that even simple gifts like grain can be meaningful offerings, broadening the idea of worship beyond animal sacrifice.
  • By calling the burned portion a "memorial," the verse highlights the importance of remembering and honoring God in regular acts of worship, not just in major rituals.

Where else these words appear

“memorial” Hebrew H234 · used in 7 verses

  • Leviticus 2:2 And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:
  • Leviticus 5:12 Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: it is a sin offering.
  • 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.

“sweet” Hebrew H5207 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Leviticus 8:21 And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, and an offering made by fire unto the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Numbers 28:6 It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

“savour” Hebrew H7381 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Leviticus 17:6 And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Numbers 29:6 Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

“fire” 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.