And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD.

LEVITICUS 23:18KJV
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Leviticus 23:18 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 23:18 mean?

Leviticus 23:18 gives instructions for a special offering to God during a festival, telling the Israelites to present seven perfect year-old lambs, one young bull, and two rams, along with grain and drink offerings. These sacrifices are to be burned on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, marking the occasion as holy and set apart.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is relaying detailed commands to the people of Israel about how to celebrate the Feast of Weeks (also called Pentecost). The verse lists the exact animals and offerings required, showing the care and precision expected in worship. This careful approach highlights the seriousness of honoring God in the way He directed, and it sets the stage for the rest of the chapter’s instructions about Israel’s sacred calendar.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 23:18

  • "Offer" (קָרַב, qarab) means to bring near or present, emphasizing that these gifts are intentionally brought into God’s presence, not just given up or discarded.
  • "Without blemish" (תָּמִים, tamim) describes animals that are physically perfect, showing that only the best was acceptable for God.
  • "Burnt offering" (עֹלָה, olah) refers to a sacrifice that is completely burned on the altar, symbolizing total dedication to God.
  • "Sweet savour" (נִיחוֹחַ, nichoach) means a pleasing or soothing aroma, suggesting that these offerings, when given as instructed, are accepted by God.

Why Leviticus 23:18 matters

  • Leviticus 23:18 clarifies that worship in ancient Israel was not casual or improvised; it was structured and required specific offerings, reflecting God’s holiness and order.
  • The verse connects the Feast of Weeks to earlier sacrifices, showing continuity in Israel’s worship practices and linking the harvest celebration to gratitude toward God.
  • By listing each type of animal and offering, the verse helps modern readers understand the seriousness and costliness of Old Testament worship, which was meant to express both reverence and thankfulness.

Where else these words appear

“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 6:21 In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • 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 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire 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.

“offerings” Hebrew H5262 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • Numbers 28:31 Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering,(they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings.
  • 2 Kings 16:15 And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brasen altar shall be for me to enquire by.

“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 6:17 It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass 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.