Leviticus 6:19-23 Meaning: The High Priest's Offering
19Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
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.
21It shall be made with oil in a griddle. When it is soaked, you shall bring it in. You shall offer the meal offering in baked pieces for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
22The anointed priest that will be in his place from among his sons shall offer it. By a statute forever, it shall be wholly burned to Yahweh.
23Every meal offering of a priest shall be wholly burned. It shall not be eaten.”
19And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
20This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the Lord in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.
21In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the Lord.
22And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it: it is a statute for ever unto the Lord; it shall be wholly burnt.
23For every meat offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.
19And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
20This is the oblation of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto Jehovah in the day when he is anointed: the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering perpetually, half of it in the morning, and half thereof in the evening.
21On a baking-pan it shall be made with oil; when it is soaked, thou shalt bring it in: in baken pieces shalt thou offer the meal-offering for a sweet savor unto Jehovah.
22And the anointed priest that shall be in his stead from among his sons shall offer it: by a statute for ever it shall be wholly burnt unto Jehovah.
23And every meal-offering of the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.
19And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,
20`This is an offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they bring near to Jehovah in the day of his being anointed; a tenth of the ephah of flour for a continual present, half of it in the morning, and half of it in the evening;
21on a girdel with oil it is made--fried thou dost bring it in; baked pieces of the present thou dost bring near, a sweet fragrance to Jehovah.
22`And the priest who is anointed in his stead, from among his sons, doth make it, --a statute age-during of Jehovah: it is completely perfumed;
23and every present of a priest is a whole burnt-offering; it is not eaten.'
19And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
20This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall present to Jehovah on the day when he is anointed: the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour as a continual oblation, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.
21It shall be prepared in the pan with oil: saturated with oil shalt thou bring it: baken pieces of the oblation shalt thou present [for] a sweet odour to Jehovah.
22And the priest who is anointed of his sons in his stead shall prepare it: [it is] an everlasting statute; it shall be wholly burned to Jehovah.
23And every oblation of the priest shall be wholly burned; it shall not be eaten.
Meaning in one sentence
In Leviticus 6:19-23, God gave a special command for the high priest's daily grain offering.
Context
This passage sits within a section of Leviticus often called the "law of the grain offering" (Leviticus 6:14-23). The previous verses described how the regular grain offering was handled: the priest took a handful and burned it on the altar, then he and his sons ate the rest in the holy place. That was their portion from God. Then, suddenly, a new instruction begins with the same formula that opened the book: "Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying." This time the command is not for Aaron and his sons to hear, but for Moses alone to receive. It concerns the offering that the high priest himself must bring: a daily grain offering, half in the morning and half in the evening, made on a griddle with oil. Unlike the people's grain offering, this one was to be burned completely. No part was eaten.
Key Words
The phrase "wholly burned" carries the full weight of this offering. In the regular grain offering, only a handful was burned on the altar; the rest fed the priests. Here, every bit goes up in smoke. There is no personal benefit for the one who offers it. This pictures a devotion that keeps nothing back, not even for the one who serves. And the word "perpetual" (verse 20) tells us this is not a one-time event at ordination. The high priest was to offer this every morning and every evening throughout his service. Day after day, the same complete gift. Together, these two words say something about the constancy and totality of the devotion God asks from those who lead His people. It is both daily and whole.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have understood this passage in different ways. Some see it as establishing the high standard for spiritual leaders: they must not live off their own offerings, but give everything to God. Others focus on its timing, that the high priest began offering this on the eighth day of his consecration and continued daily. Many Christians throughout history have read this as pointing to Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who offered Himself completely, holding nothing back. While interpretations vary, all agree that this unique offering signified entire dedication.
A common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is that this offering was only made on the day the high priest was anointed. The words "in the day when he is anointed" can sound that way. In fact, the phrase "a meal offering perpetually" and the instruction for half in the morning and half in the evening show this was a daily obligation for the high priest throughout his ministry. The day refers to the period of consecration, after which the daily rhythm began.
Living This Out
What would it look like to offer something completely to God, without taking any part back for yourself? The high priest's offering was entirely consumed; it was not a transaction where he benefited. You might consider one area of your life this week where you tend to give God part of your effort but keep the rest for yourself. It could be your work, your time in prayer, or your generosity. The passage invites you to bring that area to God and ask: what would it mean to give it wholly, not for what you get out of it, but simply for Him?
Main takeaway: The high priest's daily offering was completely for God, inviting us to bring our whole selves to Him every day.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
The high priest was the special leader of God's people. Every day, he brought a flat bread made with oil. He gave it all to God by burning it on the altar. That was his way of saying, 'God, I give you everything.'
For ages 9, 12
The high priest's daily offering was different from other offerings. When people brought a grain offering, the priest could keep part of it for food. But when the high priest offered his own, it was all burned up. He didn't get to eat any of it. This showed that his service was completely for God, not for his own benefit. For us, it is a reminder that serving God should not be about what we get out of it. We give our whole hearts because He is worthy.
Questions People Ask
Why was the high priest's grain offering burned completely when other grain offerings could be eaten?
The high priest's offering was different because it represented his own devotion. Since he served at the altar, eating his own offering would have been like taking back what he gave to God. Burning it completely showed that his service was entirely for the Lord, with nothing kept for personal benefit.
Was this offering only for the day of the high priest's ordination?
No. Although it says 'in the day when he is anointed,' it also calls it a 'perpetual' offering given morning and evening. Jewish tradition and many commentators agree that the high priest offered this daily throughout his ministry, not just at the start.
What does the phrase 'Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying' mean here?
This formula sets this instruction apart. Unlike the surrounding laws that were given through Moses to Aaron and his sons, this command was spoken directly to Moses. It highlights the unique importance of the high priest's personal offering, which required special direction from God.
How does this passage relate to Jesus as our High Priest?
Many Christians see a parallel to Jesus Christ, who offered Himself completely to God on the cross. Unlike the earthly high priest, Jesus' offering was once for all and fully sufficient. The total consumption of the offering foreshadows Christ's total self-giving for the sins of the world.
For pastors & researchers
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