Bible Strands
Leviticus 3:11
Then the priest is to burn them on the altar as food, a food offering to the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text records a priestly directive within the peace offering regulations, occurring immediately after the fat, kidneys, and liver have been removed. The instruction falls to the priest to execute at the altar.
The words — The phrase לֶחֶם אִשָּׁה (Le.chem 'i.Sheh) translates literally to "food a fire offering," while הִקְטִיר (hik.ti.R) denotes the priest's action of making smoke or burning.
The thread — This ritual designation appears in Leviticus 3:5 where Aaron’s sons burn the offering atop the burnt offering, and in Leviticus 21:6 where priests are commanded to present the food offering to the LORD.
Why it lands — The verse establishes a strict operational boundary for the priest, requiring him to burn the specified portions on the altar as a designated fire offering to Yahweh. It demands precise compliance with the prescribed sacrificial procedure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the Lord.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 21:6 They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. Because they present to the LORD the food offerings, the food of their God, they must be holy.
- Leviticus 21:17 “Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God.
- Leviticus 3:5 Then Aaron’s sons are to burn it on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
- Leviticus 3:16 Then the priest is to burn the food on the altar as a food offering, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD’s.
- Leviticus 21:8 You are to regard him as holy, since he presents the food of your God. He shall be holy to you, because I the LORD am holy—I who set you apart.
- Leviticus 21:21 No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the food offerings to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he is not to come near to offer the food of his God.
- Leviticus 22:25 Neither you nor a foreigner shall present food to your God from any such animal. They will not be accepted on your behalf, because they are deformed and flawed.’”
- Numbers 28:2 “Command the Israelites and say to them: See that you present to Me at its appointed time the food for My food offerings, as a pleasing aroma to Me.
- Ezekiel 44:7 In addition to all your other abominations, you brought in foreigners uncircumcised in both heart and flesh to occupy My sanctuary; you defiled My temple when you offered My food—the fat and the blood; you broke My covenant.
- Malachi 1:7 By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible.