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 5:12KJV
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Leviticus 5:12 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 5:12 mean?

Leviticus 5:12 describes how, when someone brings a grain offering as a sin offering, the priest takes a handful as a memorial portion and burns it on the altar, following the rules for offerings made by fire to the LORD. This act completes the ritual for a sin offering using grain instead of an animal.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about what to do when someone cannot afford an animal for a sin offering. The priest (the religious leader) takes a portion of the grain, burns it as a symbolic act before God, and this fulfills the person’s obligation for their wrongdoing. The focus is on making a way for everyone, even the poor, to seek forgiveness.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 5:12

  • "Priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This word refers to the person who serves as the mediator between the people and God, highlighting the priest’s special role in handling offerings.
  • "Handful" (מְלֹא, melo): This word means a full grasp or scoop, showing that the priest takes just a portion of the grain, not all of it, as a memorial.
  • "Memorial" (אַזְכָּרָה, azkarah): This term means something that brings to remembrance, indicating that the handful burned on the altar serves as a reminder before God of the offering and the person’s desire for forgiveness.
  • "Burn" (קָטַר, qatar): This verb means to turn something into smoke, emphasizing that the offering is made by burning, which was seen as sending it up to God.

Why Leviticus 5:12 matters

  • Leviticus 5:12 shows that God made a way for people who could not afford animal sacrifices to still participate in the sacrificial system and receive forgiveness, emphasizing inclusivity and mercy.
  • The verse highlights the priest’s role in mediating between the people and God, showing the importance of ritual and order in Israel’s worship.
  • By calling the handful a "memorial," the verse connects the physical act of offering with the spiritual idea of being remembered by God, deepening the meaning of sacrifice beyond just the material gift.

Where else these words appear

“take” Hebrew H7061 · used in 3 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:
  • Numbers 5:26 And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.

“handful” Hebrew H7062 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 41:47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
  • 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 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.

“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 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.

“handful” Hebrew H4393 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
  • 2 Samuel 8:2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
  • Isaiah 31:4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.