Question 1

What does Leviticus 24:7 mean?

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 24:7 instructs that pure frankincense should be placed on each row of bread in the tabernacle, so that the bread serves as a memorial offering made by fire to the LORD. This act sets apart the bread as something special and dedicated to God, marking it as a reminder before Him. In this verse, God is giving Moses specific instructions for the priests about the "showbread"—twelve loaves set out in the holy place as a continual offering from the Israelites. The frankincense, a fragrant resin, is put on each row of bread to symbolize the offering's purity and to make it a pleasing memorial before God. The bread and frankincense together become an act of worship and remembrance in the tabernacle.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 24:7

Accepted Answer

"Pure" (זַךְ, zakh): This word emphasizes that only the finest, unadulterated frankincense was to be used, highlighting the importance of offering the best to God. "Frankincense" (לְבוֹנָה, levonah): Frankincense is a fragrant gum resin, valued for its scent when burned. Its use here points to the sensory aspect of worship and the idea of prayers or offerings rising up to God. "Memorial" (אַזְכָּרָה, azkarah): This word means a reminder or remembrance. In this context, it shows that the bread and frankincense are not just food or fragrance, but serve as a symbolic act that brings the people before God in memory.

Question 3

Why Leviticus 24:7 matters

Accepted Answer

Leviticus 24:7 clarifies that the bread was not just for physical nourishment or ritual display, but was meant to be a continual reminder—a memorial—of the Israelites' relationship with God. The verse highlights the care and reverence required in worship, showing that even the materials used (like pure frankincense) and their arrangement have meaning. This instruction connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of holiness and dedication, showing how everyday items like bread can become part of sacred worship when set apart for God.

Leviticus 24:7 (KJV)