Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system, meat-offerings, also known as grain offerings, hold significant theological and ritual importance. These offerings are detailed primarily in the book of Leviticus and are distinct from animal sacrifices. The term "meat" in this context is derived from the older English usage, meaning "food" or "meal," and refers specifically to offerings made from grain.Biblical Instructions and Symbolism The instructions for meat-offerings are found in Leviticus 2, where the Israelites are commanded to present offerings of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. These offerings could be presented in various forms, such as unleavened cakes or wafers. A key aspect of these offerings is the requirement that they be seasoned with salt. Leviticus 2:13 states, "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. Add salt to all your offerings." The inclusion of salt in the meat-offerings is rich with symbolic meaning. Salt, in the ancient Near Eastern context, was a valuable preservative and a symbol of purity, preservation, and covenant fidelity. The "salt of the covenant" mentioned in Leviticus underscores the perpetual and unbreakable nature of God's covenant with His people. Salt's preservative qualities symbolize the enduring and unchanging nature of God's promises. Theological Implications The requirement for salt in meat-offerings highlights the importance of purity and faithfulness in worship. Just as salt preserves and purifies, the Israelites were called to live lives of holiness and integrity, reflecting their covenant relationship with God. The seasoning of offerings with salt serves as a reminder of the need for sincerity and devotion in one's spiritual life. Furthermore, the use of salt in these offerings points to the broader biblical theme of believers being "the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13). This metaphor emphasizes the role of God's people in preserving and purifying the world through their witness and conduct. Historical and Cultural Context In the ancient world, salt was a precious commodity, often used in trade and as a form of currency. Its inclusion in sacrificial offerings underscores the value and significance of the act of worship. The Israelites' use of salt in their offerings would have distinguished their practices from those of surrounding nations, reinforcing their unique identity as God's chosen people. New Testament Connections While the New Testament does not explicitly mention the seasoning of offerings with salt, the principle of salt as a symbol of covenant faithfulness and purity carries forward. Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about being the "salt of the earth" connects the Old Testament practice with the New Testament call for believers to influence the world positively. In summary, the requirement for meat-offerings to be seasoned with salt in the Old Testament reflects deep theological truths about covenant faithfulness, purity, and the enduring nature of God's promises. This practice serves as a powerful reminder of the call to holiness and the transformative role of believers in the world. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 2:13And every oblation of your meat offering shall you season with salt; neither shall you suffer the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your meat offering: with all your offerings you shall offer salt. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Resources What were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat sort of pagan revelry did the Israelites indulge in (Exodus 32:6)? | GotQuestions.org What is an oblation? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Meat-Offerings of Jealousy, Without Oil or Incense Meat-Offerings: A Small Part of, Was Consumed on the Altar for a Memorial Meat-Offerings: Always Seasoned With Salt Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Barley Meal Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Fine Flour Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Fine Flour Baked in a Frying Pan Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Fine Flour Baked in a Pan Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Green Ears of Corn Parched Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Unleavened Cakes Baked in the Oven Meat-Offerings: High Priest's Deputy had Care of Meat-Offerings: Laid up in a Chamber of the Temple Meat-Offerings: Materials for Public, often Provided by the Princes Meat-Offerings: No Leaven Used With Meat-Offerings: Not to be offered on Altar of Incense Meat-Offerings: Offered by the High Priest Every Day, Half in the Morning and Half Meat-Offerings: Offered by the Poor for a Trespass offering Meat-Offerings: Offered with all Burnt offerings Meat-Offerings: Offered with the Daily Sacrifices Meat-Offerings: Offered: On the Altar of Burnt offering Meat-Offerings: Oil and Incense Used With Meat-Offerings: The Jews: Condemned for offering, to Idols Meat-Offerings: The Jews: Often not Accepted In Meat-Offerings: The Jews: Often Prevented from offering, by Judgments Meat-Offerings: The Priest's Portion Meat-Offerings: To be Eaten by the Males of the House of Aaron Alone Meat-Offerings: To be Eaten in the Holy Place Meat-Offerings: when offered for a Priest Entirely Consumed by Fire Related Terms Meat-offering (111 Occurrences) Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences) Drink-offering (33 Occurrences) Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences) |
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