Leviticus 24:7
And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
And you are to place pure frankincense near each row
Frankincense, a valuable resin, was used in ancient Israelite worship for its aromatic properties. It symbolizes prayer and worship rising to God, as seen in Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 8:3-4. The use of "pure" indicates the need for offerings to be unblemished, reflecting God's holiness. The placement "near each row" of the showbread in the Tabernacle signifies the importance of order and precision in worship, as detailed in Exodus 25:30.

so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread
The "memorial portion" is a concept where part of an offering is set aside to remind the people of God's provision and covenant. This practice is rooted in the idea of remembrance, similar to the Passover (Exodus 12:14). The bread, known as the Bread of the Presence, symbolizes God's continual presence and sustenance for Israel, prefiguring Christ as the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

a food offering to the LORD
Food offerings were a central part of Israelite worship, symbolizing fellowship and communion with God. This offering, though not consumed by God, represents the dedication of the people's sustenance back to Him, acknowledging His provision. The phrase "to the LORD" emphasizes that all offerings are directed to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, reinforcing the exclusive worship due to Him alone, as seen in the First Commandment (Exodus 20:3).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Leviticus, who received the laws and instructions from God on Mount Sinai.

2. The Israelites
The recipients of the laws given in Leviticus, who were to follow these instructions as part of their covenant relationship with God.

3. Tabernacle
The sacred place where the Israelites worshiped God, and where the bread of the Presence was placed.

4. Frankincense
A valuable resin used in worship, symbolizing prayer and purity, placed near the bread as a memorial offering.

5. Bread of the Presence
Twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel, placed on the table in the Holy Place as a continual offering before God.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of Frankincense
Frankincense represents purity and prayer. In our lives, we should strive for purity and maintain a constant prayer life, offering our lives as a fragrant offering to God.

Memorial Offering
The memorial portion signifies remembrance. We are called to remember God's faithfulness and provision in our lives, just as the Israelites remembered through their offerings.

Continual Worship
The bread of the Presence was a continual offering. Our worship and dedication to God should be constant, not just reserved for specific times or places.

Covenant Relationship
The bread and frankincense symbolize the covenant relationship between God and His people. We are reminded of our covenant through Christ and the importance of living in obedience and faithfulness.

Community Representation
The twelve loaves represented the twelve tribes. In the body of Christ, we are called to unity and to represent our community in our worship and service.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the use of frankincense in Leviticus 24:7 enhance our understanding of prayer and worship in our daily lives?

2. In what ways can we incorporate the concept of a "memorial offering" into our spiritual practices today?

3. How does the continual presence of the bread in the tabernacle challenge us to maintain a consistent relationship with God?

4. What parallels can we draw between the covenant relationship symbolized by the bread and frankincense and our relationship with Christ?

5. How can we, as a community of believers, ensure that we are representing our faith collectively, similar to the twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25:30
This verse describes the command to place the bread of the Presence on the table before God continually, establishing the practice that Leviticus 24:7 elaborates on.

Hebrews 9:2
This New Testament passage references the setup of the tabernacle, including the table and the bread of the Presence, connecting the Old Testament practices to the new covenant.

Revelation 8:3-4
These verses describe the prayers of the saints rising like incense before God, drawing a parallel to the use of frankincense in Leviticus 24:7.
Christ a Comforting PresenceRichard Newton, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ an Enlightening PresenceRichard Newton, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ the True Presence BreadF. H. WhiteLeviticus 24:2-9
Directions for Furnishing of the SanctuaryHenry, MatthewLeviticus 24:2-9
Symbols and Their MeaningJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Priest Setting the Lamps in Order Daily Represents Christ Causing His People Daily to Receive and Give Forth Light and LifeA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Sanctuary and its FurnitureJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Shewbread as Typical of ChristJ. H. Holford, M. A.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table and Shewbread Typical of Christ and His ChurchJohn Gill, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table for the Bread of FacesGeorge Junkin, D. D.Leviticus 24:2-9
The Bread of the PresenceJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 24:5-9
The Lesson of the LoavesW. Clarkson Leviticus 24:5-9
The ShewbreadR.A. Redford Leviticus 24:5-9
The Shewbread, or Bread of the PresenceR.A. Redford Leviticus 24:5-9
The Weekly OfferingR.M. Edgar Leviticus 24:5-9
People
Aaron, Dan, Dibri, Ephah, Israelites, Israelitess, Moses, Shelomith
Places
Teman
Topics
Bread, Cakes, Clean, Fire, Fire-offering, Frankincense, Hast, Incense, Lines, Memorial, Memorial-part, Offered, Offering, Portion, Pure, Rank, Remembrance, Represent, Row, Sign, Spices, Sweet-smelling
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 24:7

     4826   fire
     7386   incense
     7394   memorial

Leviticus 24:5-8

     4418   bread
     8629   worship, times

Library
The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He Retires to Peræa.
(Jerusalem and Beyond Jordan.) ^D John X. 22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the nineteenth or twentieth of December, a.d. 29. The feast was kept in honor of the renovation and purification of the temple in the year b.c. 164, after it had been desecrated
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

A Divine Saviour.
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew xvi. 1; John vi. 69.) We meet with a certain class of Enquirers who do not believe in the Divinity of Christ. There are many passages that will give light on this subject. In 1 Corinthians xv. 47, we are told: "The first man is of the earth earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." In 1 John v. 20: "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Leviticus 24:7 NIV
Leviticus 24:7 NLT
Leviticus 24:7 ESV
Leviticus 24:7 NASB
Leviticus 24:7 KJV

Leviticus 24:7 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Leviticus 24:6
Top of Page
Top of Page