Topical Encyclopedia
The term "meat-offering" in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, refers to what is more accurately described as a "grain offering." The Hebrew word for this offering is "minchah," which signifies a gift or tribute, often in the form of grain or flour. These offerings were an integral part of the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites, as detailed in the Pentateuch, particularly in the book of Leviticus.
Biblical Instructions and ComponentsThe primary instructions for meat-offerings are found in
Leviticus 2. The offering typically consisted of fine flour, oil, and frankincense.
Leviticus 2:1 states, "When anyone presents an offering of grain to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. He is to pour oil on it, put frankincense on it." The offering could be presented in various forms, including uncooked flour, baked cakes, or wafers, and it was always to be seasoned with salt (
Leviticus 2:13: "You must season all your grain offerings with salt. You must not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offering. You are to add salt to each of your offerings.").
Symbolism and PurposeThe meat-offering symbolized the worshiper's dedication and submission to God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty. It was a way for the Israelites to express gratitude and dependence on God for their daily sustenance. The use of fine flour, oil, and frankincense represented purity, richness, and the pleasing aroma of the offering to God. The absence of leaven and honey (
Leviticus 2:11: "No grain offering that you present to the LORD shall be made with leaven, for you are not to burn any leaven or honey as an offering made by fire to the LORD.") signified the need for purity and the avoidance of corruption or fermentation, which leaven symbolized.
Ritual and Priestly RoleThe meat-offering was often presented alongside burnt offerings and peace offerings, serving as a complement to these sacrifices. A portion of the grain offering was burned on the altar as a memorial portion, while the remainder was given to the priests for their sustenance (
Leviticus 2:2-3: "The priest shall take a handful of the fine flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this memorial portion on the altar as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. The remainder of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the LORD.").
New Testament PerspectiveIn the New Testament, the concept of offerings, including the meat-offering, is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the specific practice of grain offerings is not continued in the Christian church, the principles of dedication, thanksgiving, and reliance on God remain central to Christian worship. The Apostle Paul, in
Romans 12:1 , exhorts believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which echoes the spirit of the Old Testament offerings.
ConclusionThe meat-offering, as part of the broader sacrificial system, played a crucial role in the religious life of ancient Israel. It served as a tangible expression of worship, gratitude, and covenant relationship with God, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who fulfills and transcends the Old Testament sacrificial system.
Library
The Attack on the Book of Leviticus.
... In giving God's message to Israel in a time of great backsliding, Amos said to them:
"Though ye offer unto me burnt offerings andmeat offerings, I will not...
The Greater Prophets.
... Though ye offer me burnt-offerings and yourmeat-offerings, I will not accept them;
neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts....
List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings...
... Meil. The Talmudic Tractate Meilah, on the defilement of things consecrated. Menach.
The Talmudic Tractate Menachoth, onMeat-offerings. Midd....
The Manner of Our Offering Sacrifices.
... Other sacrifices there are also appointed for escaping distempers, or for other
occasions, in whichmeat-offerings are consumed, together with the animals that...
Thessalonica
... the throne of the house of Israel; neither shall the priests the Levites want a
man before Me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindlemeat offerings, and to do...
Celebration of Constantine's Decennalia.
... the tidings he received of the ravages committed in the Eastern provinces.
Footnotes: [3148] Unburnt offerings,meat offerings....
Christ's Estimate of his People
... Now both wine and ointment were used in the sacrifice of the Jews, sweet smelling
myrrh and spices were used inmeat offerings and drink offerings before the...
Acts XXI
... by the law, among which, as seen in their proposition to Paul, were the Nazarite
vows, with their burnt-offerings, sin-offerings, andmeat-offerings, [522] and...
The Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand
... Hence, as the Mishnah puts it, while all othermeat-offerings were of wheat, that
brought by the woman accused of adultery was to be of barley, because (so R...
Index of Subjects.
... 435.Meat-offerings, 600. Melchizedek, his person and typical character,
583. Memphitic version, 407. Messiah. See Christ. Messianic...
Thesaurus
Meat-offerings (10 Occurrences)Meat-
offerings. Meat-offering,
Meat-
offerings. Meats . Multi-Version
Concordance
Meat-
offerings (10 Occurrences). Numbers
...Brazen (42 Occurrences)
... same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of
the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, andmeatofferings, and the...
Meats (9 Occurrences)
Consecrate (65 Occurrences)
... day did the king consecrate the middle of the court that was before the house of
the LORD: for there he offered burnt-offerings, andmeat-offerings, and the...
Meat-offering (111 Occurrences)
Meat-offering. Meatoffering, Meat-offering.Meat-offerings . Easton's Bible
Dictionary... Continued... Meatoffering, Meat-offering.Meat-offerings ....
Gift (148 Occurrences)
... 18:6, 7, 29 Ezekiel 20:26, etc., mattanah, "a gift," is so rendered; minchah, an
offering or present, used especially of the "meatofferings," is translated...
Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences)
... ye shall do to the LORD in your set feasts, besides your vows, and your
free-will-offerings, for your burnt-offerings, and for yourmeat-offerings, and...
Free-will (9 Occurrences)
... ye shall do to the LORD in your set feasts, besides your vows, and your
free-will-offerings, for your burnt-offerings, and for yourmeat-offerings, and...
Drinkoffering
... Consisted of wine (Numbers 15:5; Hosea 9:4) poured around the altar (Exodus 30:9).
Joined withmeat-offerings (Numbers 6:15, 17; 2 Kings 16:13; Joel 1:9, 13; 2...
Drink-offering (33 Occurrences)
... Consisted of wine (Numbers 15:5; Hosea 9:4) poured around the altar (Exodus 30:9).
Joined withmeat-offerings (Numbers 6:15, 17; 2 Kings 16:13; Joel 1:9, 13; 2...
Resources
What is a wave offering? | GotQuestions.orgWhy would the aroma of a sacrifice be important to God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a sin offering? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
