Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system, meat-offerings, also known as grain offerings, were a significant aspect of worship and devotion to God. These offerings are detailed primarily in the book of Leviticus and were distinct from animal sacrifices. The term "meat" in this context is derived from the older English usage, meaning "food" or "meal," and specifically refers 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. A key stipulation in these offerings is the prohibition of leaven. Leviticus 2:11 states, "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." The absence of leaven in these offerings carries deep symbolic meaning. Leaven, or yeast, is often associated with sin and corruption in the Bible. Its ability to permeate and transform dough is likened to the pervasive nature of sin. In the context of the meat-offering, the exclusion of leaven signifies purity, holiness, and the absence of corruption. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of presenting offerings that are pure and unblemished before God. Theological Implications The prohibition of leaven in meat-offerings underscores the call for holiness among God's people. It serves as a reminder that worship and offerings to God must be free from the taint of sin. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to live lives of sincerity and truth, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 : "Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." Practical Observance In practice, the Israelites were meticulous in ensuring that their grain offerings adhered to these divine instructions. The offerings were to be made with fine flour, mixed with oil, and accompanied by frankincense, but never with leaven. This careful observance was a tangible expression of their reverence for God's holiness and their desire to maintain a right relationship with Him. Conclusion The meat-offering, devoid of leaven, is a profound representation of the call to purity and holiness in worship. It reflects the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the need for offerings—and by extension, the lives of believers—to be free from sin and corruption, wholly dedicated to the service and glory of God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 2:11No meat offering, which you shall bring to the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for you shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 6:17 Library Scriptural Types. Solomon's Temple Spiritualized Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses. Resources How was God Himself the inheritance of the Levites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a salt covenant? | GotQuestions.org Who were Hophni and Phinehas? | 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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