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 5:12KJVWhat 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.