Meat-Offerings: To be Eaten in the Holy Place
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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "meat-offering" in the context of the Old Testament refers to what is more accurately described as a "grain offering." This offering was a significant aspect of the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites, as detailed in the Pentateuch. The Hebrew word for this offering is "minchah," which signifies a gift or tribute, often consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. Unlike other offerings, the meat-offering was bloodless, emphasizing dedication and thanksgiving to God.

Biblical Instructions and Components

The primary instructions for the meat-offering are found in Leviticus 2. The offering was to be made of fine flour, mixed with oil, and frankincense was to be placed upon it. A portion of the offering, known as the "memorial portion," was to be burned on the altar as "an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD" (Leviticus 2:2). The remainder of the offering was designated for the priests.

Consumption in the Holy Place

The consumption of the meat-offering by the priests was to occur in a designated holy place. Leviticus 6:16-18 provides specific instructions: "Aaron and his sons are to eat the remainder. It must be eaten as unleavened bread in a holy place; they are to eat it in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting. It must not be baked with leaven; I have given it as their share of My offerings made by fire. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering. Any male among the sons of Aaron may eat it. This is a permanent portion from the offerings made by fire to the LORD throughout your generations."

The requirement for the offering to be eaten in the holy place underscores the sanctity of the offering and the holiness required of those who partake in it. The courtyard of the Tent of Meeting served as the designated area, emphasizing the separation from common or profane spaces.

Symbolism and Significance

The meat-offering symbolizes the dedication of the fruits of human labor to God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty. The absence of leaven in the offering signifies purity and the removal of corruption, aligning with the broader biblical symbolism of leaven as a representation of sin (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8).

The consumption of the offering by the priests in the holy place also highlights the role of the priesthood as mediators between God and the people. By partaking in the offering, the priests not only sustain themselves physically but also participate in the sacred service of maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the meat-offering points to the broader theme of consecration and thanksgiving within the sacrificial system. It serves as a reminder of the need for holiness and the dedication of one's life and resources to God. The offering also prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who fulfills and transcends the Old Testament sacrificial system, offering Himself as the perfect and final offering for sin.

In summary, the meat-offering, to be eaten in the holy place, is a profound expression of worship, dedication, and the sanctity of God's provision, reflecting the deep spiritual truths embedded within the Old Testament sacrificial practices.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 6:16
And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Scriptural Types.
... and friendship, was prescribed for all meat offerings (Lev.2 ... shoulder heaved, before
they were eaten by Aaron ... permitted to enter the most holy place once every ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand
... of the Passover and of the Holy Supper, of ... Mishnah puts it, while all other
meat-offerings were of ... opsarion,' which properly means what was eaten along with ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxix the miraculous feeding.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... thee of all food that is eaten, and thou ... burnt-offerings, and sacrifices, and
meat-offerings, and incense ... of the Lord, and stand in his holy place, is described ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

Thessalonica
... of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of ... Me to offer burnt offerings, and to
kindle meat offerings, and to do ... For the zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 22 thessalonica.htm

Christ's Estimate of his People
... love increased, that my heart may be eaten up with ... our love at such a price, that
the Holy Spirit when ... myrrh and spices were used in meat offerings and drink ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christs estimate of his people.htm

Profanations of Good and Truth
... a beautiful skin, or like nuts eaten by worms ... and speech, and thus profane holy things ...
is the multitude of sacrifices unto Me, meat offerings, incense, sabbaths ...
/.../spiritual life and the word of god/part thirdprofanations of good and.htm

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day ...
... which we read is this; 'Hast thou eaten of the ... of the week, 'that it may be an holy
convocation unto ... to have a new meat offering, with meat offerings and drink ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/questions about the nature and.htm

The Synoptic Gospels
... as a criminal instead of as the Holy One of ... outpoured symbolized Christ's death,
and as eaten and drunk ... though the burnt-, peace-, and meat-offerings were not ...
/.../denney/the death of christ/chapter 1 the synoptic gospels.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... connection with the one and only Holy of Holies ... pestilence.*** It foretold, in the
first place, the downfall ... Me your burnt offerings and meat offerings, I will ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... meekness, forbearance, persuasion, conviction, and holy faith. ... perverted reason assume
the place of Antichrist ... rams, lambs, with their meat-offerings and their ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Resources
What is a wave offering? | GotQuestions.org

Why would the aroma of a sacrifice be important to God? | GotQuestions.org

What is a sin offering? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Meat-offerings

Meat-Offerings of Jealousy, Without Oil or Incense

Meat-Offerings were Most Holy

Meat-Offerings: A Small Part of, Was Consumed on the Altar for a Memorial

Meat-Offerings: Always Seasoned With Salt

Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Barley Meal

Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Fine Flour

Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Fine Flour Baked in a Frying Pan

Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Fine Flour Baked in a Pan

Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Green Ears of Corn Parched

Meat-Offerings: Consisted of Unleavened Cakes Baked in the Oven

Meat-Offerings: High Priest's Deputy had Care of

Meat-Offerings: Laid up in a Chamber of the Temple

Meat-Offerings: Materials for Public, often Provided by the Princes

Meat-Offerings: No Leaven Used With

Meat-Offerings: Not to be offered on Altar of Incense

Meat-Offerings: Offered by the High Priest Every Day, Half in the Morning and Half

Meat-Offerings: Offered by the Poor for a Trespass offering

Meat-Offerings: Offered with all Burnt offerings

Meat-Offerings: Offered with the Daily Sacrifices

Meat-Offerings: Offered: On the Altar of Burnt offering

Meat-Offerings: Oil and Incense Used With

Meat-Offerings: The Jews: Condemned for offering, to Idols

Meat-Offerings: The Jews: Often not Accepted In

Meat-Offerings: The Jews: Often Prevented from offering, by Judgments

Meat-Offerings: The Priest's Portion

Meat-Offerings: To be Eaten by the Males of the House of Aaron Alone

Meat-Offerings: To be Eaten in the Holy Place

Meat-Offerings: when offered for a Priest Entirely Consumed by Fire

Related Terms

Brazen (42 Occurrences)

Meats (9 Occurrences)

Consecrate (65 Occurrences)

Meat-offering (111 Occurrences)

Gift (148 Occurrences)

Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences)

Free-will (9 Occurrences)

Drinkoffering

Drink-offering (33 Occurrences)

Basket (40 Occurrences)

Aforetime (19 Occurrences)

Speedily (38 Occurrences)

Salt (45 Occurrences)

Kindle (25 Occurrences)

Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences)

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)

Bullocks (50 Occurrences)

Forbid (46 Occurrences)

Hallow (69 Occurrences)

Sacrifices (186 Occurrences)

Corn (107 Occurrences)

Reconciliation (11 Occurrences)

Hallowed (86 Occurrences)

Plain (113 Occurrences)

Meat-Offerings: To be Eaten by the Males of the House of Aaron Alone
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