Topical Bible: Atonement by Meat offerings

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system, "meat offerings" refer to what is more accurately described as "grain offerings." These offerings were an integral part of the Levitical laws given to the Israelites and are detailed primarily in the book of Leviticus. The Hebrew term for these offerings is "minchah," which encompasses gifts or tributes, often in the form of grain, flour, or cakes, rather than animal flesh.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for meat offerings is found in Leviticus 2, where the procedures and purposes of these offerings are outlined. Leviticus 2:1-3 states: "When anyone presents an offering of grain to the LORD, his offering shall consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it, and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the fine flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this memorial portion on the altar, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. The remainder of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the LORD."

Purpose and Symbolism

The grain offering was a voluntary act of worship, expressing devotion and thanksgiving to God. Unlike the sin and guilt offerings, which were mandatory for atonement of specific transgressions, the grain offering was a freewill offering, symbolizing the offerer's dedication and gratitude. It was a way for the Israelites to acknowledge God's provision and sovereignty over their lives.

The use of fine flour, oil, and frankincense in the grain offering carries deep symbolic meaning. Fine flour represents purity and the best of human labor, while oil is often associated with the Holy Spirit and anointing. Frankincense, a costly and fragrant resin, symbolizes prayer and the lifting up of the offerer's devotion to God. Together, these elements create a "pleasing aroma" to the LORD, signifying the acceptability of the offering when presented with a sincere heart.

Atonement Aspect

While the primary function of the grain offering was not for atonement in the same sense as the sin or guilt offerings, it played a role in the broader sacrificial system that maintained the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The grain offering often accompanied burnt offerings, which were for atonement, thus participating in the overall sacrificial process that sought to restore and maintain fellowship with God.

Leviticus 6:14-18 further elaborates on the regulations for the grain offering: "Now this is the law of the grain offering: Aaron’s sons shall present it before the LORD, in front of the altar. The priest is to remove a handful of fine flour and olive oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. Aaron and his sons shall eat the remainder. It must be eaten without yeast in a holy place; they are to eat it in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting. It must not be baked with yeast; I have assigned it as their share of My offerings made by fire. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering."

Theological Implications

The grain offering underscores the principle that all aspects of life, including daily sustenance and labor, are to be consecrated to God. It reflects the understanding that atonement and reconciliation with God encompass not only the forgiveness of sins but also the dedication of one's life and resources to His service. The offering of grain, a staple of life, signifies the offerer's recognition of God's provision and their dependence on Him.

In the New Testament, the sacrificial system, including grain offerings, finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate offering for sin. Hebrews 10:1-10 explains that the law, with its sacrifices, was a shadow of the good things to come, pointing to the perfect sacrifice of Christ. While the grain offering itself was not for atonement, it foreshadowed the complete dedication and thanksgiving embodied in the life and sacrifice of Jesus.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 5:11-13
But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil on it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Day of Atonement
... for a sin offering: besides the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt
offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings." Here, then ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings ...
... Jom. [mostly Yom.] The Taldmudic Tractate Yoma, on the Day of Atonement. Kel. ... Menach.
The Talmudic Tractate Menachoth, on Meat-offerings. Midd. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/list of abbreviations used in.htm

Leviticus.
... In Leviticus there is given the place of sacrifice, as an atonement for sin, and
it is shown that God accepted ... (b) the bloodless offerings-the meat, or meal ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii leviticus.htm

Thessalonica
... a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to ... down
through the centuries to the scenes of the Saviour's atonement, the prophet ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 22 thessalonica.htm

Separation to God.
... but our best, is only acceptable to GOD through the atonement of our ... of two bullocks,
one ram, and seven lambs, with their meat and drink-offerings, for a ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Acts XXI
... burnt-offerings, sin-offerings, and meat-offerings, [522] and ... in his connection with
the offerings of these ... the insufficiency of the blood of the atonement. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxi.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Blood, sacrificial, the atonement lay in it, 597; sprinkling of, 601, 603;
when carried into the sanctuary, 604. ... Meat-offerings, 600. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

Scriptural Types.
... the people sanctified, and when, on the annual day of atonement, expiation was ... a
symbol of purity and friendship, was prescribed for all meat offerings (Lev.2 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Way to the Kingdom
... therein, either concerning meat and drink offerings, or the ... religion does not consist
in meat and drink ... we have now received the atonement," katallagen, the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 7 the way to.htm

What did Moses Write?
... chapters of Leviticus, containing laws regulating the burnt offerings and meat
offerings, constantly assume ... The law of the Great Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16 ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter ii what did moses.htm