What Does Leviticus 2:9 Mean in the King James?

And the priest shall take from the meat offering a memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Leviticus 2:9 · 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 leaves a portion whose name means remembrance: what is given becomes present before the LORD.

THE MEANING

The priest lifts a memorial portion from the offering and burns it on the altar as a sweet savour unto the LORD. Giving and remembrance meet here: what is released is still held in relationship.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that what is given up simply disappears is undone: the verse names the portion that rises as a memorial before the LORD.

THE ROOT

אַזְכָּרָה

azkarah

GROWS FROM

זכר

z-k-r

Remember, recall, bring to mind.

“memorial” in this verse is azkarah. The Hebrew names this portion through the root of remembering. The offering is not only burned; its appointed portion is a remembrance before the LORD.

ALSO GROWS

zakar: To remember, call to mind.

זָכַר

This verb makes explicit the action held inside the word “memorial”: the offering is linked to remembering.

zikkaron: Remembrance, memorial.

זִכָּרוֹן

This related noun shows that the root can name both the act of remembering and a memorial that keeps something present.

THE PATTERN

What is brought before God is held in remembrance beyond the moment of giving.

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 day becomes a memorial, carrying remembrance forward through repeated observance.

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

Psalm 20:3 · KJVThe psalm joins remembering directly to offerings and sacrifice.

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

Acts 10:4 · KJVPrayers and gifts rise as a memorial before God, echoing the offering that rises from the altar.

THE THREAD

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

Psalm 20:3 · KJV

“Remember” in the psalm shares the Hebrew root ⁨זכר⁩ (z-k-r, remember) with Leviticus’s “memorial.” The psalm makes the root’s link visible: the offering rises as something remembered before God.

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