And all the meat offering that is baken in the oven, and all that is dressed in the fryingpan, and in the pan, shall be the priest's that offereth it.

LEVITICUS 7:9KJV
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Leviticus 7:9 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:9 mean?

Leviticus 7:9 states that any grain offering (called a "meat offering" in the King James Version) that is baked in an oven, cooked in a frying pan, or prepared in a pan belongs to the priest who offers it. This verse sets out a practical rule for how certain offerings are distributed among the priests.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about their offerings and sacrifices. The focus here is on grain offerings that are cooked in different ways. The verse clarifies that the priest who actually presents the offering at the altar receives the cooked portion, which was part of how priests were provided for in their service.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:9

  • The word for "offering" is מִנְחָה (minchah), which refers to a gift or tribute, often a grain offering, not meat as we think of it today. This helps clarify that the passage is about grain-based offerings.
  • "Baken" is אָפָה (aphah), meaning to bake, specifically in an oven, showing the method of preparation mattered for how the offering was handled.
  • "Oven" is תַּנּוּר (tannur), which was a clay or stone oven used in ancient Israelite homes, suggesting these were everyday cooking methods.
  • "Dressed" is עָשָׂה (asah), a general word for making or preparing, here referring to cooking in a pan or frying pan.
  • "Fryingpan" is מַחֲבַת (machavat), a flat pan, and "pan" is מַרְחֶשֶׁת (marcheshet), a deeper pan or pot. The distinction shows that different cooking methods were all included in the rule.
  • "Priest's" is כֹּהֵן (kohen), and "offereth" is קָרַב (qarav), meaning the priest who brings the offering forward.

Why Leviticus 7:9 matters

  • This verse clears up that the "meat offering" is actually a grain offering, not animal meat, which can be confusing in older English translations.
  • The verse shows how the priests were supported through the offerings, giving them a share of what was brought by the people.
  • Leviticus 7:9 fits into a larger set of instructions about how different offerings were to be handled, showing the care and order in Israel’s worship practices.

Where else these words appear

“fryingpan” Hebrew H4802 · used in 2 verses

  • Leviticus 2:7 And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in the fryingpan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil.

“pan” Hebrew H4227 · used in 5 verses

  • Leviticus 2:5 And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in a pan, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.
  • Leviticus 6:21 In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:29 Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;

“oven” Hebrew H8574 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
  • Leviticus 26:26 And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.
  • Lamentations 5:10 Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.

“baken” Hebrew H644 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Genesis 40:22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
  • 1 Samuel 8:13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.