Leviticus 2:15-16 Meaning: Oil and Frankincense on the Firstfruits Offering
15You shall put oil on it and lay frankincense on it. It is a meal offering.
16The priest shall burn as its memorial part of its crushed grain and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense. It is an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
15And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it is a meat offering.
16And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
15And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it is a meal-offering.
16And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the bruised grain thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.
15and thou hast put on it oil, and laid on it frankincense, it is a present;
16and the priest hath made perfume with its memorial from its beaten out corn , and from its oil, besides all its frankincense--a fire-offering to Jehovah.
15And thou shalt put oil on it, and lay frankincense thereon: it is an oblation.
16And the priest shall burn the memorial thereof, [part] of the beaten corn thereof, and [part] of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: [it is] an offering by fire to Jehovah.
Meaning in one sentence
Discover the significance of adding oil and frankincense to the firstfruits grain offering in Leviticus 2:15-16 and what it teaches about worship.
Context
This passage falls within Leviticus chapter 2, which gives instructions for the grain offering. The grain offering was a gift of flour, cakes, or grain, brought to the Lord as a tribute. Verses 14-16 focus on a special kind of grain offering: one made from the firstfruits of the harvest. The offerer was to bring fresh heads of grain, parched and crushed. Then they added oil and frankincense. The priest burned a portion of this on the altar as a memorial, and the rest went to the priests for food. This offering was an act of gratitude, acknowledging that the entire harvest came from God’s hand.
Key Words
Three words stand out. Minchah (offering) is the general term for a grain offering, but it also means a gift or tribute. It was not a payment for sin but a freewill gift of thanksgiving to the King. The oil, shemen, was a sign of richness and blessing. Olive oil was a staple; pouring it on the offering showed generosity and dedication. The frankincense, levonah, was a white resin that burned with a sweet fragrance. It was used in incense and symbolizes prayer rising before God (Psalm 141:2). The memorial portion, azkarah, was a token that brought the whole offering into God’s presence. It did not remind God of something forgotten; it lifted the worshiper’s gift to His attention. Together, these elements invite us to bring our gifts to God with abundance, reverence, and prayer.
How Christians Read This Verse
Jewish readers have always understood this passage as part of the detailed instructions for thank offerings at the harvest festivals like Shavuot. For Christians, the firstfruits offering points to Christ, who rose as the firstfruits of those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:20). Many traditions see the oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and frankincense as a symbol of prayer, reminding the worshiper to offer their gifts with anointing and devotion. Some emphasize the memorial aspect, seeing it as a foreshadowing of how our worship comes before God through the intercession of Christ. Across traditions, the heart of the passage remains gratitude and giving God the best of what we have.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that the “memorial” portion was meant to remind God of the worshiper, as if God could forget. In fact, the Hebrew word azkarah means a token of remembrance that brings the offering into God’s favorable presence. It is not about God’s memory but about the worshiper’s gift being accepted and acknowledged by Him. The memorial portion represents the whole, and God receives it with pleasure.
Living This Out
You may never bring grain to an altar, but you do bring your time, talent, and money to God each day. This passage asks a simple question: do you bring your gifts with joy (the oil) and prayer (the frankincense)? Or do you give what is left over? This week, try offering the first part of your morning to God before you check your phone. Let the first words you speak be praise. Let the first of your income be set aside for His work. When you add “oil and frankincense” to your giving, your offering becomes more than a duty, it becomes a gift He delights in.
Main takeaway: God welcomes our gifts when we offer them with joy and prayer, giving Him the first and best of what He has given us.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When you give someone a present, you put a bow on it to show you care. In this verse, God told His people to put oil and sweet-smelling incense on their gift to Him. That was their way of saying, “This is my best for You.”
For ages 9, 12
When you give God your best, whether it is your time in prayer, your talents in serving others, or your allowance, He wants you to bring it with a joyful heart (the oil) and with prayer (the incense). This offering of firstfruits was a way of thanking God for the harvest and trusting Him for more. You can do the same by dedicating the first part of your day or the first part of your earnings to God, not just the leftovers.
Questions People Ask
What is the 'memorial portion' in Leviticus 2:16?
The memorial portion is a small handful of the grain offering that the priest burned on the altar. The Hebrew word azkarah means a token of remembrance. It represented the whole offering and brought it into God’s presence as a pleasing aroma. The rest of the offering was eaten by the priests. So the memorial was not to remind God of something He forgot, but to honor Him with the first part of the gift.
Why does the firstfruits offering need oil and frankincense?
Oil and frankincense were added to every grain offering (Leviticus 2:1), including this one for firstfruits. Oil symbolized richness, blessing, and dedication, like anointing. Frankincense was a costly, fragrant resin that burned sweetly, symbolizing prayer and worship rising to God. Adding these made the offering more precious and showed the worshiper's gratitude and generosity.
How does this firstfruits offering differ from the regular grain offering?
The main difference is the grain itself. The regular grain offering used fine flour from ripe wheat. The firstfruits offering used fresh heads of grain that were still green, parched by fire, and crushed (verse 14). It also came specifically from the first ripening crops of the harvest. The procedure with oil and frankincense and the burning of the memorial portion was the same as other grain offerings (compare Leviticus 2:1-2).
What does 'fire offering' (ishsheh) mean?
The Hebrew word ishsheh means an offering made by fire. It does not always mean the entire sacrifice is burned; here only the memorial portion was burned on the altar, and the rest was eaten by the priests. The term emphasizes that the offering is wholly given to God, consumed by the fire of the altar, which represents God's presence. It was a gift completely devoted to Him.
How can I apply Leviticus 2:15-16 to my life today?
Think of the firstfruits as the first and best of what you have. You can apply this by giving God the first part of your day in prayer, the first part of your week in worship, and the first part of your income in generosity. Add oil and frankincense by doing these things with joy and with a heart of prayer. This passage invites you to see your daily offerings as sacred gifts that God receives with pleasure.
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