Now this is the law of the grain offering:The grain offering, also known as the "meal offering" or "cereal offering," is a significant part of the Levitical sacrificial system. It represents the dedication of the fruits of human labor to God, acknowledging His provision. This offering is distinct from animal sacrifices, emphasizing the importance of both material and spiritual devotion. The grain offering often accompanied burnt offerings, symbolizing the worshiper's gratitude and commitment to God. It is a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God for sustenance and their responsibility to honor Him with the firstfruits of their labor.
Aaron’s sons shall present it before the LORD:
Aaron's sons, the priests, were responsible for presenting the offerings to God, acting as mediators between the people and the divine. This priestly role underscores the importance of order and sanctity in worship. The phrase "before the LORD" indicates the offering's purpose: to honor and glorify God. It highlights the need for reverence and purity in approaching God, as the priests were required to be ceremonially clean. This foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who presents believers' offerings to God through His perfect mediation.
in front of the altar:
The altar, located in the Tabernacle's courtyard, was the central place for sacrifices and offerings. Its position "in front of the altar" signifies the offering's direct presentation to God, emphasizing the immediacy and sincerity of worship. The altar represents God's presence and the place where atonement and reconciliation occur. This setting prefigures the cross of Christ, where the ultimate sacrifice was made, reconciling humanity to God. The altar's role in the sacrificial system points to the necessity of a mediator and the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins, fulfilled in Jesus' sacrifice.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who established the laws and rituals for His people.
2.
Sons of AaronThe priests from the tribe of Levi, specifically the descendants of Aaron, who were responsible for performing the sacrifices and offerings.
3.
The AltarThe sacred place in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) where offerings were made to God.
4.
Grain OfferingA type of offering made from fine flour, oil, and frankincense, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving to God.
5.
The TabernacleThe portable sanctuary where the Israelites worshiped God during their journey in the wilderness.
Teaching Points
Understanding the Role of PriestsThe sons of Aaron were mediators between God and the people, highlighting the importance of intercession and holiness in leadership.
Symbolism of the Grain OfferingRepresents dedication, thanksgiving, and reliance on God for provision. It teaches us to offer our best to God in gratitude.
The Altar as a Place of MeetingThe altar signifies a place of encounter with God, reminding us of the importance of worship and sacrifice in our spiritual lives.
Christ as Our Ultimate OfferingThe grain offering points to Jesus, who fulfilled the law and became the perfect sacrifice, inviting us to live in His grace.
Our Role as a Royal PriesthoodAs believers, we are called to be priests, offering spiritual sacrifices and living lives that reflect God's holiness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 6:14?
2.How does Leviticus 6:14 emphasize the importance of following God's specific instructions?
3.What does the grain offering in Leviticus 6:14 symbolize in Christian life?
4.How can we apply the principles of Leviticus 6:14 in our worship today?
5.What connections exist between Leviticus 6:14 and New Testament teachings on offerings?
6.How does Leviticus 6:14 encourage us to maintain purity in our spiritual practices?
7.What is the significance of the grain offering in Leviticus 6:14?
8.How does Leviticus 6:14 relate to the concept of atonement?
9.Why is the grain offering described as "most holy" in Leviticus 6:14?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 6?
11.How do priests and Levites differ in their roles?
12.Who was Eleazar in the Bible?
13.What is the purpose of a grain offering?
14.What does the Bible say about incest?What Does Leviticus 6:14 Mean
Now this is the law of the grain offering- The phrase introduces a specific statute God is giving to Israel, distinguishing the grain offering from the burnt, peace, or sin offerings (seeLeviticus 2:1-16).
- “Law” signals something fixed and enduring; it is not a suggestion but a God-ordained pattern, just as “the LORD said to Moses” is repeated throughout Leviticus (Leviticus 6:1).
- The grain offering highlighted daily dependence on God’s provision—bread from heaven turned into bread from the earth. Jesus later echoed this truth: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), and He Himself became the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
Aaron’s sons shall present it- Priestly responsibility: only Aaron’s descendants could handle this offering, underscoring that sinful people need a qualified mediator (Hebrews 5:1-4).
- “Present” means to bring near, picturing worshipers drawing close to God through priestly service, previewing Christ’s work of bringing us near by His blood (Ephesians 2:13).
- It was a family affair: God’s choice of Aaron’s sons points to generational faithfulness (Numbers 18:8), challenging every household to guard its priestly calling (1 Peter 2:9).
Before the LORD- Worship is God-centered, not performer-centered; everything occurs “before the LORD,” a phrase echoingGenesis 17:1 when God told Abraham, “walk before Me.”
- God’s presence makes ordinary flour holy; likewise, ordinary lives become holy when lived consciously before Him (Romans 12:1).
- The grain offering, lacking blood, still required divine acceptance, foreshadowing that even our “best” needs God’s grace, fully expressed in Christ’s atonement (Titus 3:5).
In front of the altar- Physical location mattered: at the altar where sacrifices burned (Leviticus 1:9). Holiness is spatial as well as moral.
- “Front of the altar” kept the offering in full view, ensuring transparency and reminding Israel that nothing is hidden from God’s gaze (Hebrews 4:13).
- The altar symbolizes substitutionary payment; every handful of flour placed there pointed to the future sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 13:10-12).
summaryLeviticus 6:14 lays out a lasting statute for Israel’s grain offering: it must be handled by Aaron’s sons, presented consciously before the LORD, and laid at the altar. Each phrase layers meaning—divine authority, priestly mediation, God-centered worship, and the necessity of atonement. In Christ, these shadows find their substance: He is the Bread offered, the Priest presenting, and the Altar where reconciliation is made, inviting us to draw near and live every moment before the LORD.
(14)
And this is the law of the meatoffering.--In
Leviticus 2:1-3, where this meat offering is spoken of, the people are told of what the
minchais to consist, and what portion of it was the perquisite of the officiating priest. In the section before us (
Leviticus 6:14-18) additional directions are given to the priests about the eating of the portions which belong to them and about the treatment of the residue.
The sons of Aaron shall offer it.--Though in the chapter before us it literally means Aaron's own sons, the phrase is intended to comprise his lineal descendants who succeeded to the priestly office. They, and they only, shall offer the sacrifices, but not a layman.
Before the altar.--Or, in orat the fore part of the altar.That is, at the south-easterly corner of the altar. (SeeLeviticus 2:8.)
Verses 14-18. - The further ritual of the meat offering (see note on chapter Leviticus 2:1). The greater part of it is to be given to the priests, and they and the males of their families are to eat it without adding leaven to it.
With unleavened bread shall it be eaten (verse 16) should rather be rendered,
Unleavened shall it be eaten. Not only is it most holy itself, but
every one (or rather
everything)
that toucheth the offerings
shall be holy. The touch of the offering conveys the character of holiness to the thing touched, which must, therefore, itself be treated as holy.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Now thisוְזֹ֥את(wə·zōṯ)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063:Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,is the lawתּוֹרַ֖ת(tō·w·raṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451:Direction, instruction, lawof the grain offering:הַמִּנְחָ֑ה(ham·min·ḥāh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503:A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offeringAaron’sאַהֲרֹן֙(’a·hă·rōn)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175:Aaron -- an elder brother of Mosessonsבְּנֵֽי־(bə·nê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonshall presentהַקְרֵ֨ב(haq·rêḇ)Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7126:To come near, approachitאֹתָ֤הּ(’ō·ṯāh)Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative casebeforeלִפְנֵ֣י(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facethe LORD,יְהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelinאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tofrontפְּנֵ֖י(pə·nê)Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The faceof the altar.הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃(ham·miz·bê·aḥ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196:An altar
Links
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OT Law: Leviticus 6:14 This is the law of the meal (Le Lv Lev.)