Topical Bible: Honey: Not to be offered With Sacrifices

◄ Honey: Not to be offered With Sacrifices ►

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In the context of ancient Israelite worship, honey holds a unique position. While it is often associated with abundance and blessing, it is explicitly prohibited from being used in offerings made by fire to the LORD. This directive is found in the book of Leviticus, which provides detailed instructions for the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites.

Biblical Reference:

Leviticus 2:11 states, "No grain offering that you present to the LORD shall be made with leaven, for you are not to burn any leaven or honey as an offering made by fire to the LORD."

Symbolism and Interpretation:

The prohibition against using honey in sacrifices can be understood in several ways. Honey, like leaven, is a fermenting agent. In the biblical context, fermentation is often associated with corruption and sin. The process of fermentation involves decay and transformation, which can symbolize impurity. Thus, honey, despite its sweetness and desirability, is not suitable for offerings that are meant to be pure and unblemished before God.

Furthermore, the sacrificial system was designed to reflect the holiness and perfection of God. Offerings were to be made with the utmost care and adherence to divine instructions, symbolizing the worshiper's desire to approach God with reverence and purity. The exclusion of honey from offerings underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity and integrity of the sacrificial rites.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, honey was a valuable commodity, often used as a sweetener and preservative. It was a symbol of prosperity and was sometimes used in pagan rituals. By prohibiting honey in offerings, the Israelites were set apart from surrounding nations and their practices, emphasizing their unique covenant relationship with God.

Theological Implications:

The restriction on honey in sacrifices highlights the broader biblical theme of obedience to God's commands. It serves as a reminder that worship is not merely about external actions but about aligning one's heart and practices with God's will. The Israelites were called to trust in God's provision and wisdom, even when His instructions might have seemed counterintuitive or restrictive.

In summary, the prohibition of honey in sacrificial offerings reflects the biblical emphasis on purity, obedience, and the distinctiveness of Israel's worship. It serves as a reminder of the holiness required in approaching God and the importance of adhering to His commands in all aspects of life.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 2:11
No meat offering, which you shall bring to the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for you shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... Reply to Objection 14: Honey was not offered in the sacrifices to God, both because
it was wont to be offered in the sacrifices to idols; and in order to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... it, broke off a piece of a honey-comb, and ... flesh with the blood, for that was not
acceptable to ... them, Saul erected an altar there, and offered burnt-offerings ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the philistines.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... the water rivalled the sweetness of honey, inasmuch as ... of the country in Palestine
having offered those unlawful ... and subjected to burning, not only suffered no ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm

Letter cxxviii. To Gaudentius.
... to the full and so learn to despise them than that from not having them ... [3589] This
they argue, is the reason that neither honey nor wax is offered in the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxviii to gaudentius.htm

In Judaea
... The Talmud speaks in exaggerated terms of the honey of its ... were watching flocks destined
to be offered as sacrifices ... so small that the Rabbis do not even refer ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... to them a calf blown, and they have worshipped it, and offered sacrifices thereto,
saying ... The country floweth full of milk and honey, be not rebel against God ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

The Attractive Power of God
... Beloved Father, seeing that Thou wouldest not forgive sins because of all the former
sacrifices offered, lo I ... the land which floweth with the honey of My ...
/.../eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/i the attractive power of.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... yet," said he,"and there came in the honey, "yet he ... for the time then present, in
which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

Book 3 Footnotes
... [4] This supposal, that the sweet honey-dew or ... than according to ancient Jewish,
and not Gentile, notions ... the same Josephus, the sacrifices were offered in the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 3 footnotes.htm

Jeremiah and Deuteronomy. (Chs. vii, viii. 8, xi. )
... give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at ... to point out that the question
is not merely that ... no pleasure at any time in the sacrifices offered to Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 jeremiah and deuteronomy chs.htm