Leviticus 2 - Introduction

The Meal-Offering

The Heb. word Minḥahprimarily denotes a gift or offering generally, e.g. the present made by Jacob to Esau (Genesis 33:10). It is also applied to tribute (e.g. Judges 3:15-18). When used in connexion with sacrifices, it bears either a wider or a narrower meaning, denoting sometimes an offering made to God whether of animals or grain (thus used of both Cain's and Abel's offering, Genesis 4:3-5), but often (and in P always) restricted to the sense of grain or cereal offering. This offering consisted for the most part of fine flour mixed with oil and frankincense, to which was added salt. See further in notes on the following vv.

The Meal-Offering was generally brought as an accompaniment to an animal offering. The ritual here prescribed is applicable to such cases, and also to a Meal-Offering brought by itself. No quantities are here prescribed; they are given in Numbers 15:1-16 for the minḥahwhen brought with a Burnt-Offering or a Peace-Offering.

The variations between the 2nd persons sing. and pl. in Leviticus 2:4 probably indicate combination of two sources.