Why is it significant that offerings are described as "most holy" in Leviticus 6:17? The verse at a glance “ ‘It must not be baked with yeast; I have given it as their portion of My offerings made by fire. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering.’ ” (Leviticus 6:17) What “most holy” means in Leviticus • “Most holy” (Hebrew: qodesh qodashim) is the strongest possible designation of sacredness in the Torah. • Things or places labeled this way are wholly set apart for God’s exclusive use—think of the inner sanctuary called the “Most Holy Place” (Exodus 26:33). • In Leviticus, the term is reserved for offerings directly tied to atonement (sin and guilt offerings) and for the grain offering eaten by priests. • The declaration is divine, not human. God Himself assigns the status, underscoring His authority over worship. Implications for the priests • Restricted consumption: Only the ordained priests could partake, and only “in a holy place” (Leviticus 6:26). • No leaven: Yeast pictured corruption, so removing it reinforced purity (Leviticus 2:11). • Shared holiness: By eating what is “most holy,” the priests participated in God’s holiness and carried that representation back to the people (Leviticus 10:12-13). Reverence for the sacrificial system • Highest seriousness of sin – If the remedy (the offering) is “most holy,” sin cannot be shrugged off. “The soul who sins must die” (Ezekiel 18:20). • Clear boundary between sacred and common – Israel learned daily that worship cannot be casual (Leviticus 10:1-3). • Perpetual reminder of God’s character – “Be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). The offerings mirrored that call. Foreshadowing Christ • Jesus fulfills every “most holy” sacrifice. He is “holy, innocent, undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26) and offers Himself “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). • Like the grain offering, His sinless life is presented without leaven—no corruption, no defect (1 Peter 1:19). • Through Him, believers now “draw near” beyond the veil that once enclosed the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 10:19-22). Personal application today • Approach worship with awe; the God who calls offerings “most holy” has not changed (Malachi 3:6). • Guard against casual treatment of Christ’s sacrifice during communion or daily devotion (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). • Live set-apart lives: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). If the offering is “most holy,” the recipients of its benefits must reflect that holiness in speech, conduct, and love. |
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