Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

2:1-3 The use of fine flour as well as the costly spice frankincense suggests that the Israelites were to present their very best to the Lord. The priest was to burn a handful of the offering as a memorial portion to the Lord (v. 2). The language of remembrance is used in the Bible to refer to the Lord's favor (Ps. 8:3). This "memorial portion," then, would have served as the Israelites' way of asking the Lord to "remember" them with favor as they made their request or offered their praise.

2:4-10 Three types of breads are mentioned in these verses: those baked in the oven (v. 4), those baked on a griddle (v. 5), and those cooked in a pan (v. 7). Since the grain offering was holy, the remaining part was to go to the holy priests (v. 10).

2:11-13 Leaven and honey are both prohibited on the altar, though the text does not explain why. (It is assumed that leaven and honey could be presented as firstfruits [v. 12] because these were not burned on the altar [cf. Num. 18:12-13].) Various explanations for this prohibition have been put forward, e.g., that leaven represents "corruption" and is thus prohibited (cf. Matt. 16:6). Leviticus itself, however, provides no clues. By contrast, the reason for including salt, a preservative, seems clearer. It is described here as the salt of the covenant (Lev. 2:13), a phrase that is used elsewhere to refer to the permanence of a covenant relationship (Num. 18:19). It could thus serve to constantly remind Israel of the permanent nature of its covenant relationship with the Lord.

2:14-16 Up to this point the chapter has described the more common types of grain offerings. It concludes by describing a very specific type, namely, a grain offering of firstfruits (v. 14; cf. Ex. 23:16, 19; 34:26). It appears that one way of offering these was to rub the ears (or "heads") of the plant and for the resulting grain to be roasted with fire (Lev. 2:14; cf. 23:14; Josh. 5:11).