Sirach 38:11 - Give a sweet savor, and a memorial of fine flour; And make fat your offering, as one that is not.

Generated Verse: Sirach 38:11

What does "Sirach 38:11" mean?


This verse is from Sirach 38:11 (or Ecclesiasticus 38:11, depending on the version you're using) and is part of a larger passage discussing the proper way to offer sacrifices to God. Let's break it down and interpret it:

"Give a sweet savor, and a memorial of fine flour": This refers to offering sacrifices with pleasant aromas (a "sweet savor") and using high-quality fine flour as a key ingredient. The "memorial" aspect emphasizes that the offering is a reminder to God, a way to be remembered in his favor.

"And make fat your offering, as one that is not": This is the trickier part. The core idea is that the offering should be generous and substantial, not meager or skimpy. It suggests a selflessness in giving to God:

"Make fat your offering": This suggests abundance and richness. It's not about literal fat, but about making the offering substantial and meaningful.
"As one that is not": This is often interpreted in a few ways:

Selflessness/Humility: It can mean giving so generously that you give to the point where you feel like you have nothing left, or you're giving to the point of personal sacrifice. You're not holding back or calculating what you'll gain. You're giving freely, even if it seems you'll be diminished by it.
Without Expectation of Reward: It could imply offering without expectation of personal gain. Your motivation is pure devotion, not bartering for blessings. You give because it's right, not to get something in return.
Oblivious to Cost: This interpretation suggests giving generously without concern for the expense. The focus is on the offering itself, not the financial or personal cost to the giver.

Overall Meaning:

The verse emphasizes the importance of offering sincere, generous, and high-quality sacrifices to God. It encourages a spirit of selflessness and devotion, urging the giver to give abundantly, even to the point of personal sacrifice, without expecting a reward or calculating the cost. The offering should be made with a pure heart and as a reminder of one's faith.

Context Within Sirach 38:

It's helpful to note that Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus, is considered wisdom literature. It provides practical advice on living a righteous life. This section on offerings would have been relevant in the context of Temple worship and Jewish religious practices.

In short, the verse promotes sincere and generous offering to God, free from selfishness or expectation of reward.

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