אַזְכָּרָה (az.ka.rah)
az.ka.rah
memorial
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun azkarah refers to a memorial portion within the grain offerings described in the Law. It specifically denotes the handful of flour, oil, and frankincense that the priest burned on the altar as a "memorial portion." This act served as a reminder before God, symbolizing the worshiper’s dedication and gratitude for His provision.
In Leviticus and Numbers, this term appears exclusively in the context of meal offerings. The burning of this small fraction represented the whole gift, creating a fragrant aroma that acted as a perpetual reminder. It was not a sacrifice for sin, but an act of remembrance and communion, ensuring that the worshiper’s offering was acknowledged by the Divine.
The word derives from the root zakar, meaning "to remember." Here, it captures the idea of God remembering the offerer in a positive sense. The ritual transformed a simple agricultural gift into a spiritual act, where the smoke rising from the altar served as a tangible sign of remembrance and covenant relationship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word azkarah refers to a specific portion of a grain offering burned on the altar as a memorial. In ancient Israel, this act was not merely ritualistic but deeply relational. It signified that God was remembering the worshiper with favor and attention. The smoke rising from the altar served as a tangible reminder of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people.
For your faith today, this concept reminds us that our acts of worship are seen and remembered by God. When we offer our time, resources, or praise, they become part of a lasting spiritual reality. This is not about earning favor through performance, but about participating in a relationship where God actively remembers those who seek Him with sincere hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- memorial offering/ its5×
- to/ a memorial offering1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַזְכָּ֣רָתָ֔/הּ2×
- לְ/אַזְכָּרָ֔ה1×
- אַזְכָּרָתָ֗/הּ1×
- אַזְכָּרָתָ/הּ֙1×
- אַזְכָּרָתָ/ה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 2:2
He shall bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests. He shall take his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense, and the priest shall burn its memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
This verse establishes the azkarah as the specific handful of flour, oil, and frankincense burned to create a pleasing aroma before Yahweh.
-
Leviticus 2:9
The priest shall take from the meal offering its memorial, and shall burn it on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Here the priest takes the memorial portion from the meal offering, highlighting the priestly role in facilitating this act of remembrance.
-
Numbers 5:26
The priest shall take a handful of the meal offering, as its memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, and afterward shall make the woman drink the water.
In this unique context involving a suspected adulteress, the memorial portion is burned before the water is drunk, linking remembrance to divine judgment and truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does azkarah mean in the Bible?
Why was the memorial portion burned?
Where does azkarah appear in Scripture?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 2 books)
Leviticus 5 verses
He shall bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests. He shall take his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all…
Leviticus 2:9The priest shall take from the meal offering its memorial, and shall burn it on the altar, an offering made by fire, of…
Leviticus 2:16The priest shall burn as its memorial part of its crushed grain and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense.…
Leviticus 5:12He shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as the memorial portion, and burn it on…
Leviticus 24:7You shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire…