Leviticus 2:10, "That which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a thing most holy of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire," refers to a specific portion of the minchah, or grain offering. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"That which is left of the meal offering...": This indicates that not all of the grain offering was burned on the altar as a sacrifice to God (Yahweh). A portion of it was reserved.
"...shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.": This reserved portion was designated as food for Aaron, the high priest, and his sons, who served as priests. This was part of their sustenance and compensation for their priestly duties.
"It is a thing most holy...": This emphasizes the sacredness of the reserved portion. It wasn't just ordinary food; it was considered holy because it had been presented to God as an offering.
"...of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire.": This links the grain offering back to the broader category of sacrifices made to Yahweh by burning (partial burning in this case). Even though part of the grain offering was consumed by the priests, its association with fire sacrifices underscored its sacredness.
In summary, the verse explains that a portion of the grain offering that wasn't burned on the altar was reserved for the priests to eat. This reserved portion was considered holy due to its connection to the sacrificial process and its offering to God.
Significance:
Priestly Sustenance: It provided a means of support for the priesthood, who were dedicated to serving in the tabernacle/temple.
Connection between Priest and Sacrifice: It created a link between the priests and the sacrificial system. They participated in the offering not just by officiating but also by consuming a portion of it.
Holiness: It highlighted the holiness of the sacrificial system and how it permeated even the food consumed by the priests.
Distinction: It also set the priests apart, as they had access to holy foods that were not available to the general population.
Leviticus 2:10, "That which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a thing most holy of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire," refers to a specific portion of the minchah, or grain offering. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"That which is left of the meal offering...": This indicates that not all of the grain offering was burned on the altar as a sacrifice to God (Yahweh). A portion of it was reserved.
"...shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.": This reserved portion was designated as food for Aaron, the high priest, and his sons, who served as priests. This was part of their sustenance and compensation for their priestly duties.
"It is a thing most holy...": This emphasizes the sacredness of the reserved portion. It wasn't just ordinary food; it was considered holy because it had been presented to God as an offering.
"...of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire.": This links the grain offering back to the broader category of sacrifices made to Yahweh by burning (partial burning in this case). Even though part of the grain offering was consumed by the priests, its association with fire sacrifices underscored its sacredness.
In summary, the verse explains that a portion of the grain offering that wasn't burned on the altar was reserved for the priests to eat. This reserved portion was considered holy due to its connection to the sacrificial process and its offering to God.
Significance:
Priestly Sustenance: It provided a means of support for the priesthood, who were dedicated to serving in the tabernacle/temple.
Connection between Priest and Sacrifice: It created a link between the priests and the sacrificial system. They participated in the offering not just by officiating but also by consuming a portion of it.
Holiness: It highlighted the holiness of the sacrificial system and how it permeated even the food consumed by the priests.
Distinction: It also set the priests apart, as they had access to holy foods that were not available to the general population.