All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.

LEVITICUS 6:18KJV
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Leviticus 6:18 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 6:18 mean?

Leviticus 6:18 gives a lasting rule for the priests’ share of a grain offering. Male descendants of Aaron may eat that share, but the food is treated as holy: contact with it carries a special restriction.

The LORD is giving these instructions to Moses for Aaron and his sons. The words “eat of it” refer to the portion of the grain offering left for the priests after part has been burned on the altar. “Every one that toucheth them shall be holy” describes the seriousness of contact with these offerings.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 6:18

  • “statute” — חֹק (ḥoq): This word can mean a prescribed rule. Here it marks the priests’ share as an established arrangement rather than a one-time gift.
  • “for ever” — עוֹלָם (ʿolam): This word can refer to a long or enduring time. Paired with “in your generations,” it points to a rule meant to continue among Aaron’s descendants.
  • “holy” — קָדַשׁ (qadash): This word carries the sense of being set apart. Here it concerns the special status associated with touching the offerings.

Why Leviticus 6:18 matters

  • The permission to eat is specific, not open to everyone: the verse names “the males among the children of Aaron.” Aaron’s descendants served as priests among the Israelites.
  • The priests’ portion remains part of an offering to the LORD. Verse 17 calls it “most holy,” which helps explain why verse 18 treats contact with it as a serious matter.

Where else these words appear

“offerings” Hebrew H801 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 6:17 It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.
  • 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.

“males” Hebrew H2145 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  • Leviticus 12:7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
  • Deuteronomy 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

“statute” Hebrew H2706 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 47:22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
  • Deuteronomy 26:17 Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
  • Psalms 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

“generations” Hebrew H1755 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
  • Numbers 15:23 Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;
  • Psalms 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?