What is the meaning of Leviticus 6:16?

Aaron and his sons are to eat the remainder

- The “remainder” is what is left of the grain offering after a memorial portion has been burned on the altar (Leviticus 2:2–3, 10; 6:14).

- God explicitly assigns this portion to the priests as their food, showing that those who serve at the altar live from the altar (Numbers 18:8–10; 1 Corinthians 9:13).

- This provision underscores God’s care for His ministers and affirms that sacred service brings real, tangible blessing.

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It must be eaten without leaven

- Leaven often pictures sin or corruption (Exodus 12:15; Matthew 16:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

- By requiring the bread to be unleavened, God teaches that the priests’ fellowship with Him must be marked by purity and separation from sin.

- The spotless nature of the offering foreshadows Christ, the sinless “bread of life” (John 6:35).

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In a holy place

- “Holy” points to that which is set apart for God; the priests may not treat these leftovers as common food to be eaten anywhere (Leviticus 10:12-13).

- Consuming the offering within consecrated space reminds the priests—and us—that fellowship with God is always on His terms, never ours.

- It also safeguards the community by keeping sacred items from casual or profane use (Ezekiel 22:26).

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They are to eat it in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting

- The courtyard lies inside the Tabernacle fence but outside the sanctuary proper (Exodus 27:9-19).

- Eating there keeps the act visible to the worshiping congregation yet still within sanctified boundaries.

- This balances reverence (the meal remains in God’s house) with accessibility (the priests do not hide their fellowship with God).

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summary

Leviticus 6:16 teaches that God both feeds and sanctifies His priests: the leftover grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons, must remain free from leaven, and is to be eaten only within the consecrated court. These details highlight purity, provision, and reverence—timeless principles that culminate in Christ, our sinless High Priest who shares His holy life with all who serve Him.