1. Leviticus 2:1 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is the grain offering?

Leviticus 2:1 (ESV)

1 “When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it

The term “grain offering” (minḥāh) has been translated various ways in English Bibles: “cereal offering,” “grain offering,” or “meal offering.”  In nonreligious usage the minḥāh was expressed in the form of money that was paid by a vassal king to his overlord as a sign of his continuing good will and faithfulness (Judges 3:15, Judges 3:17–18; 2 Samuel 8:6; 1 Kings 4:21; 1 Kings 10:25; 2 Kings 17:3). In Leviticus 2, the grain offering is understood as a tribute from the faithful worshipper to his divine Lord.