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.

LEVITICUS 6:15KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 6:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 6:15 mean?

Leviticus 6:15 describes how the priest is to take a handful of flour, oil, and all the frankincense from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, serving as a memorial portion. This act is part of the instructions for handling offerings given to God in the tabernacle.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving detailed instructions for the priests about how to present the grain (or "meat") offering. The priest’s action of burning a specific portion, including all the frankincense, sets apart part of the offering as a special remembrance before God. The rest of the offering would be used differently, but this portion is entirely for God, highlighting the care and respect shown in Israel’s worship practices.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 6:15

  • "Handful" (קֹמֶץ, qometz) refers to the priest taking as much as he can hold in one hand, showing the personal involvement of the priest in the offering.
  • "Frankincense" (לְבוֹנָה, levonah) is a fragrant resin, and the instruction to use all of it emphasizes the importance of the aroma and the idea of a pleasing scent rising to God.
  • "Burn" (קָטַר, qatar) means to turn something into smoke on the altar, which is how the offering is symbolically given to God.
  • "Memorial" (אַזְכָּרָה, azkarah) means something that brings to mind or serves as a reminder; here, it marks this part of the offering as a special act of remembrance before the LORD.

Why Leviticus 6:15 matters

  • Leviticus 6:15 clarifies that not all of the grain offering was burned; only a specific, symbolic portion was set aside for God, while the rest had a different purpose.
  • The verse highlights the careful, respectful process the priests followed, showing that worship involved both ritual and intention.
  • By calling this portion a "memorial," Leviticus 6:15 connects the act of offering to the idea of remembering and honoring God, which is a key theme throughout the book.

Where else these words appear

“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 5:12 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.

“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.

“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 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.
  • Song of Solomon 4:14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

“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 8:21 And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, and an offering made by fire unto the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 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.