Leviticus 6:23 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 6:23 mean?

Leviticus 6:23 gives a special rule for a priest’s grain offering: the whole offering goes on the altar, and none is kept as food. The rule distinguishes an offering made for a priest from the grain offerings brought by other Israelites.

The KJV’s phrase “meat offering” means a food offering, not necessarily an offering of animal flesh. God gives this instruction to Moses as part of the directions for Aaron and his sons, the priests. After the offering described in verse 22, verse 23 states the rule for every priest’s grain offering.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 6:23

• “meat offering” — מִנְחָה (minḥah): This word can mean a gift or an offering. In the surrounding passage, it refers to an offering made from grain, including fine flour mixed with oil.
• “wholly burnt” — כָּלִיל (kalil): This word carries the sense of something complete or whole. It emphasizes that the entire offering is given over to the fire, rather than divided into portions.

Why Leviticus 6:23 matters

• The rule depends on whose offering is being presented. Earlier, Leviticus 6:16 says that Aaron and his sons may eat the remainder of the grain offering described there; verse 23 gives a different rule for a priest’s own offering.
• The instruction joins the altar and the meal table. “Wholly burnt” tells what happens to the offering, while “it shall not be eaten” rules out keeping a portion for food.