Leviticus 2 Study Notes

2:3-10 What the priests, as consecrated persons (lit “holy of holies,” i.e., “especially holy,” Ex 30:29), consumed was considered the holiest part (lit “holy of holies”); only a ritually clean priest could eat the holiest part and only in a ritually clean place (probably near the altar).

2:11-12 Yeast had a corrupting influence and thus could symbolize evil (Mk 8:15; 1Co 5:8). Perhaps honey was prohibited because it was used in pagan rites.

2:13-14 Yeast and honey could be offered as firstfruits although not burned on the altar (23:17). Firstfruits, the first portion of the harvest, were viewed as the choice part that belonged to God as the source of all blessing (Festival of Harvest, 23:10; Ex 23:16; 34:26; 1Co 15:20). The permanent quality of salt indicates the eternality of the relationship between the Lord and his people (Nm 18:19). Fresh heads describes the first ripening sheaves, indicating the best produce (Ex 23:19). The general principle was to give the Lord the first and best of a person’s livelihood (2Co 8:5; 9:7).