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.

LEVITICUS 24:7KJV
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Leviticus 24:7 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 24:7 mean?

Leviticus 24:7 instructs that pure frankincense should be placed on each row of bread as a memorial, making the bread an offering by fire to the LORD. This detail is part of the ritual for the "showbread" in the Tabernacle, highlighting the bread's role as a sacred offering.

In this verse, God is giving Moses specific directions for the priests about how to arrange the bread of the Presence in the sanctuary. The bread is set out in rows, and pure frankincense is put on each row as a symbol and reminder before God. The frankincense, a fragrant resin, is burned as part of the offering, marking the bread as holy and dedicated to the LORD.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 24:7

  • "Pure" (זַךְ, zakh): This word means "clean" or "unmixed," emphasizing that only the finest frankincense was acceptable for use in this sacred ritual.
  • "Frankincense" (לְבוֹנָה, levonah): A valuable, aromatic resin, frankincense was used in offerings for its pleasing scent, symbolizing prayer or remembrance rising to God.
  • "Memorial" (אַזְכָּרָה, azkarah): This term refers to something that brings to mind or serves as a reminder. Here, the frankincense acts as a memorial portion, representing the bread before God even after the bread itself is eaten by the priests.
  • "Offering made by fire" (אִשֶּׁה, ishsheh): This phrase means a fire-offering, something burned on the altar as a way of giving it wholly to God.

Why Leviticus 24:7 matters

  • Leviticus 24:7 clarifies that the bread was not just food but a sacred object, set apart and made holy through the addition of pure frankincense and the act of burning it as an offering.
  • The verse shows the careful attention to detail in Israel's worship practices, where even the arrangement and accompanying elements of offerings had symbolic meaning.
  • This instruction connects the bread of the Presence to the larger system of offerings, showing that remembrance before God involved both physical acts and symbolic gestures.

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 2:16 And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 6:15 And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD.

“row” Hebrew H4635 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 24:6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:29 Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;
  • 2 Chronicles 13:11 And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

“pure” Hebrew H2134 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 27:20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
  • Job 8:6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
  • Job 33:9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

“frankincense” Hebrew H3828 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 30:34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
  • Leviticus 6:15 And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD.
  • Song of Solomon 4:14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: