What Does Leviticus 2:16 Mean in the King James?

And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Leviticus 2:16 · 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 offering’s memorial is a portion drawn from the whole, so remembrance takes shape in what is brought before the LORD.

THE MEANING

Remembrance here takes material form: part of the grain and oil, with all the frankincense, becomes the offering’s memorial before the LORD. The remembered offering is carried by a portion drawn from the whole.

THE ROOT

אַזְכָּרָה

ʾazkārāh

GROWS FROM

זכר

z-k-r

remember, call to mind, make mention

The Hebrew word for the memorial portion, ⁨אַזְכָּרָה⁩ (azkarah), grows from the root of remembering and making mention. Here remembrance is not only a thought: a portion of the offering is set before the LORD as its memorial.

ALSO GROWS

zāḵar: remember, call to mind

זָכַר

This verb shares the seed of azkarah, linking the offering’s memorial to the act of remembering.

zikkārôn: memorial, remembrance

זִכָּרוֹן

This noun names a remembrance kept in view; it shows how the root can give memory an enduring, tangible form.

THE PATTERN

A gift or sign is made present through a tangible act of remembrance before God.

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Exodus 12:14 · KJVA marked day becomes a concrete way of keeping remembrance before the LORD.

Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

Psalm 20:3 · KJVThe verse directly joins remembrance with offerings brought before God.

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Luke 22:19 · KJVBread becomes the tangible sign through which remembrance is held.

THE THREAD

And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Leviticus 24:7 · KJV

This verse uses the same word, ⁨אַזְכָּרָה⁩ (azkarah, memorial portion), for the frankincense set on the bread. Leviticus 2:16 draws the memorial from the grain and oil with frankincense; here the frankincense rests on the bread as the memorial.

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