Leviticus 2

Leviticus 2:1

MEat-offering] The burnt-offering was not offered without the Meat-offering. Numbers 15:4. 7. 10. But that was legally prescribed, and so of dutie; this was voluntary at the Offerers choise: besides, that was limited, for the measure; (in the place fore-cited) this was left to the free-will of the Offerer, to make the proportion. The word in the Originall, which some Translations take up, is Mincha, and it is taken for Oblation of things without life, as Bread, Meale, Wine, Salt, Oyle: and of such things Oblations were made for many Reasons. 1. Because God, as he was the giver of these as well as of the other creatures, so he was to have a tribute of these, as well as of the former sort. 2. Because the poorer sort might have opportunitie more often to exercise their Devotion to God in the Service of his Sanctuary. 3.

Since they that wait on the Altar, were to live on the Altar, and such particulars were of use to that purpose as well as they. 4. Because Gods Altar had a conformitie to a Table, Malachi 1:7. 5. By this the poore were to make thankfull acknowledgement of their portion to God, as well as the rich; and for mysticall signification, this Free-will offering did signifie the freenesse of Christs offering himselfe in sacrifice to God, John 10:15. 17. Hebrews 10:7. 9. in conformitie whereto, Christians ought freely to offer up themselves a living Sacrifice, Romans 12:1.

of fine floure] Without any mixture of branne, for God is worthy to be served with the best of each kinde contrary to the practise of covetous hypocrites, Malach. 1. 14.

oyle upon it] Oyle was used for meat, 1 Kings 17:12. for medicine, Luke 10:34. for ornament to make the face to shine, Psalms 104:5. for lamps to burne, Exodus 25:6. In which respect it might typisie Christ, who is called oyle, Esa. 10. 27. though the word be rendred anointing; for he is meat, and medicine, and ornament, and illumination, and all unto his people that is good for them: It is put also, for the holy Ghost and his gifts, Psalms 45:7.

frankincense] The chiefe use of that was to make a sweet smll, and so it was the fitter to signifie the sweet odour of ou Saviours sacrifice, Ephesians 5:2. without whom truly apprehended by faith, and sincerely served without hypocrisie, all Religious services are unsavouty, though offered with the sweetest Incense, Esa. 1. 13. Jeremiah 6:20.

Leviticus 2:2

burne the memoriall of it] A part of this Meat-offering, (about an handfull) was to be burnt as a remembrance and intimation of the whole, that was given to God, whereof though part were burned, the rest remained for sustenance of Gods servants, Leviticus 6:16. and consequently for the maintenance of Gods service; and in giving that portion so unto God, the whole stocke was acknowledged as a gift from God.

Leviticus 2:3

most holy] Hebr. holinesse of holinesses. The Hebrews emphatically expresse things, by doubling the Noun, and changing the Number, as King of kings, Revelation 17:14. that is, a most powerfull King; Servant of servants, Genesis 9:25. that is, a most vile and contemptible Servant. Song of songs; that is, a most excellent Song; and Heaven of heavens, that is, the highest and most glorious heaven. So are such Sacred things called in the Law which none might touch, or which none might eate of, but the Priest, and that in the holy place, neere the Altar; Leviticus 6:26. & Chap. 7. vers. 6. & Chap. 10. 12. and of other common Sacrifices the Priests part might be brought home to his house, and there eaten by his Wife, Children, and the rest of his Family.

Leviticus 2:4

baked] The former offering was of Meale not hardened by the fire, this is of meale made into bread, either baked in an oven, or in a pan, or plate, as some conceive in the Sanctuary, because of that is said, Ezekiel 46:20.—& 1 Chron. 23. 28. 29.

Leviticus 2:6

in pieces] Because part was to be offered to God, and part reserved for the use of man, to wit, of Aaron and his sonnes, vers. 10.

Leviticus 2:11

no leaven] This was not generall: for at Oblations of first fruits, such as were the wave-loaves, Leviticus 23:17. and at oblations of thanksgiving, leaven was admitted, Leviticus 7:13. yet the unleavened bread was more pure, and it served also, to renue the memory of the Israelites miraculous deliverance out of Egypt, when they went away in such hast, that they had not leisure to leaven their bread, Exodus 12:34. and it was more meet to represent our Saviour, the bread of life, for hypocrisie is signified by leaven, Luke 12:1. and the want of leaven signifieth sinceritie, 1 Corinthians 5:8. Besides these Religious reasons, some alleadge certaine Physicall considerations of leaven, as that it puffeth up the belly, and if it should be burned, would be more unsavory in the smell: but the former reasons may suffice.

hony] Hony (as some thinke) was forbidden to be offered by the people of God, because it hath the operation of leaven; some, because the Gentiles used it in oblations to their Gods: and though they used salt in their sacrifices also, yet that was not forbidden, but prescribed, vers. 13. because salt prevents putrefaction, and makes that which is eaten with it more savoury to the taste; or because, where leaven is forbidden, there the bitter bondage of the Israelites is to be remembred, according to the precedent Annotation, wherefore unleavened bread and bitter hearbs are joyned together, Exodus 12:8. wherewith the sweetnesse of honey doth not suit, by which also (as some of the Ancients expound it) is signified the delight of the flesh: yet of both there might be an offering to the Priests, as the next words imply.

Leviticus 2:12

not be burnt] But reserved for the Priests, Numbers 18:13. yet the meat-offering made by, and for the Priests themselves, was to be wholly burnt, and none of it eaten, Leviticus 6:23.

Leviticus 2:13

salt] Salt gives a pleasant seasoning to meats, and keeps them from corrupting; By that the incorruption of communication is noted, Colos. 4. 6. yea and the soundnesse of the minde and manners, Mark 9:50.

of the Covenant] Which they were bound, as by Covenant, to use in all sacrifices, Numbers 6:18. 19. Ezekiel 43:24. Mark 9:49. Or it meaneth a pure and sure Covenant, to indure while these Leviticall Ordinances were to last; for salt is a preservative from corruption, therefore a durable Covenant, is called a Covenant of salt, 2 Chronicles 13:5. and the state of corruption is said to be unsalted, Ezekiel 16:4.

Leviticus 2:14

meat-offering] The Hebrew word signifieth a gift in generall; but use hath so restrained it to this kinde of gift in particular, that some Translations retaine it; the English renders it meat-offering by way of distinction, chiefly from holocausts or whole burnt-offerings, of which no part was reserved for the Priests, and consisted principally of such things as served for meat, and wanted life, as of bread to eate, cakes, wafers, &c. and salt to season, of oyle, of which some kinds served for meat, some for perfume, (as Frankincense did) whereby the anoynting of Christ was signified, 2 Corinthians 1:21. 1 John 2:27.

greene eares] This was the third sort of Oblation made of corne, the last in worth, but the first in nature, and in time; for it was of the Barley harvest: whereby the people were to learne, that which way soever they made use of their corne, God was to have a tribute of honour, and the Priest a portion of it for his support in the service of the Sanctuary.

Leviticus 2:16

burne the memoriall] That is, the thing offered for a memoriall, by a figure called a Metonymia, See Annot. on vers. 2.