What Does Leviticus 2:1 Mean in the King James?

And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:

Leviticus 2:1 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The Hebrew word translated “put” also means “give,” so placing frankincense on the flour is itself part of the offering.

THE MEANING

The offering takes visible form in fine flour, oil poured over it, and frankincense deliberately placed on it. The verse presents ordinary nourishment as something prepared and brought before the LORD.

THE ROOT

וְנָתַן

ve-natan

GROWS FROM

נתן

To give, set, or place.

English “put” can sound like arrangement alone, while this root also means “give.” The verse joins placement and presentation: the frankincense is placed on the flour as part of the gift.

ALSO GROWS

natan: To give, set, or place.

נָתַן

The verse uses this verb for placing the frankincense, linking its position on the flour with the act of giving.

mattanah: Gift or present.

מַתָּנָה

This word for a gift shares the same root, making the placed ingredient part of the offering’s giving rather than merely an extra detail.

THE PATTERN

Offering is the deliberate placing of a portion of life or praise before God.

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Genesis 4:4 · KJVAbel presents a tangible portion from his flock as an offering before the LORD.

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

1 Chronicles 29:14 · KJVThe offering is understood as a deliberate presentation of what already comes from God.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Hebrews 13:15 · KJVThe same pattern takes the form of praise, presented as the fruit of the lips.

THE THREAD

And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:

Deuteronomy 26:10 · KJV

The firstfruits are named as what the LORD has “given” before they are brought before him. “Given” shares its Hebrew root with Leviticus’s “put,” linking the frankincense’s placement to the act of giving.

This reading is from Selah Verse.

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