Leviticus 6:20 - “This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer to Yahweh in the day when he is anointed: one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering perpetually, half of it in the morning, and half of it in the evening.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 6:20

What does "Leviticus 6:20" mean?


Leviticus 6:20 describes the daily meal offering (Hebrew: minchah) that Aaron and his sons (the priests) were to offer to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Let's break down the meaning:

"This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer to Yahweh...": This specifies who is responsible for the offering: Aaron, the High Priest, and his sons who served as priests. The offering is dedicated to Yahweh.

"...in the day when he is anointed...": This could refer to the day of Aaron's initial anointing and consecration as High Priest, or it could be understood as a practice that begins on the day of his anointing and continues thereafter for all subsequent High Priests. It's likely the latter; the offering is meant to be a perpetual (ongoing) requirement.

"...one tenth of an ephah of fine flour...": This specifies the quantity and type of the offering. An "ephah" was a dry measure (approximately 22 liters). A tenth of an ephah (about 2.2 liters) of "fine flour" was required, suggesting the highest quality flour.

"...for a meal offering perpetually...": This identifies the type of offering as a "meal offering" (also called a grain offering). This was an offering of grain products, often combined with oil and frankincense. The word "perpetually" indicates that this offering was to be made every day, without fail, throughout the generations.

"...half of it in the morning, and half of it in the evening.": This prescribes the timing of the offering. Half of the flour mixture was to be offered in the morning along with the morning burnt offering, and the other half in the evening along with the evening burnt offering. This suggests a continuous and consistent dedication to Yahweh, marking the beginning and end of each day.

In Summary:

This verse outlines a very specific and continuous obligation for the High Priest and his priestly sons. It was a daily meal offering consisting of high-quality flour, divided into two portions, offered in the morning and evening. The purpose was to express ongoing dedication and devotion to Yahweh and to maintain a continuous covenant relationship with Him.

Significance:

Daily Devotion: The constant, daily offering symbolizes the constant need for and expression of devotion to God. It was a reminder of God's provision and the people's responsibility to acknowledge Him.
Priestly Duty: This was a specific task designated to the priests, highlighting their role as intermediaries between God and the people.
Systematic Worship: The prescribed offering and timing underscore the structured and systematic nature of worship in ancient Israel.
Sustaining the Covenant: By consistently fulfilling this obligation, the priests helped to maintain the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

It's important to understand this verse within the broader context of the sacrificial system outlined in the book of Leviticus, which details the various types of offerings, their specific requirements, and their significance in the religious life of ancient Israel.

What categories does "Leviticus 6:20" have?