Leviticus – Chapter 2

Old Testament • 16 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 2 of Leviticus begins: "When any one shall offer an oblation of sacrifice to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour: and he shall pour oil upon it, and put…" Aaron stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 16 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and family and covenant relationships. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1When any one shall offer an oblation of sacrifice to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour: and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense,

2And shall bring it to the sons of Aaron the priests. And one of them shall take a handful of the flour and oil, and all the frankincense; and shall put it a memorial upon the altar for a most sweet savour to the Lord.

3And the remnant of the sacrifice shall be Aaron's, and his sons', holy of holies of the offerings of the Lord.

4But when thou offerest a sacrifice baked in the oven of flour, to wit, loaves without leaven, tempered with oil, and unleavened wafers, anointed with oil:

5If thy oblation be from the fryingpan, of flour tempered with oil, and without leaven:

6Thou shalt divide it into little pieces, and shalt pour oil upon it.

7And if the sacrifice be from the gridiron, in like manner the flour shall be tempered with oil.

8And when thou offerest it to the Lord, thou shalt deliver it to the hands of the priest.

9And when he hath offered it, he shall take a memorial out of the sacrifice, and burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour to the Lord.

10And whatsoever is left, shall be Aaron's, and his sons': holy of holies of the offerings of the Lord.

11Every oblation that is offered to the Lord shall be made without leaven: neither shall any leaven or honey be burnt in the sacrifice to the Lord.

12You shall offer only the firstfruits of them and gifts: but they shall not be put upon the altar, for a savour of sweetness.

13Whatsoever sacrifice thou offerest, thou shalt season it with salt: neither shalt thou take away the salt of the covenant of thy God from thy sacrifice. In all thy oblations thou shalt offer salt.

14But if thou offer a gift of the firstfruits of thy corn to the Lord, of the ears yet green, thou shalt dry it at the fire, and break it small like meal; and so shalt thou offer thy firstfruits to the Lord:

15Pouring oil upon it and putting on frankincense, because it is the oblation of the Lord.

16Whereof the priest shall burn for a memorial of the gift, part of the corn broken small and of the oil, and all the frankincense.

Important Verses in Leviticus 2

“When any one shall offer an oblation of sacrifice to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour: and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense,”

Leviticus 2:1

“And whatsoever is left, shall be Aaron's, and his sons': holy of holies of the offerings of the Lord.”

Leviticus 2:10

“Whatsoever sacrifice thou offerest, thou shalt season it with salt: neither shalt thou take away the salt of the covenant of thy God from thy sacrifice. In all thy oblations thou shalt offer salt.”

Leviticus 2:13

“Whereof the priest shall burn for a memorial of the gift, part of the corn broken small and of the oil, and all the frankincense. ”

Leviticus 2:16

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Leviticus was written with the priests (sons of Aaron) and the whole assembly of Israel in view. Chapter 2 of 27 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 16 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Aaron appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "When any one shall offer an oblation of sacrifice to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour: and he shall pour…" It concludes: "Whereof the priest shall burn for a memorial of the gift, part of the corn broken small and of the oil, and all the…" The wider setting of Leviticus is this: Leviticus is the liturgical handbook of ancient Israel, given at Sinai to teach a newly freed people how to worship a holy God. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood

When It Was Written

Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, Leviticus 2 delivers commandments and ritual instructions given under the old covenant. A pivotal line is verse 1: "When any one shall offer an oblation of sacrifice to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour: and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense," The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship. Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1362).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Leviticus 2 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.

People in This Chapter

Aaron3 mentions

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Leviticus Chapter 2 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). The passage calls believers to grasp that Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 756) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leviticus Chapter 2 about?

Leviticus 2 contains 16 verses. It opens with "When any one shall offer an oblation of sacrifice to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour: and he shall pour…" and closes with "Whereof the priest shall burn for a memorial of the gift, part of the corn broken small and of the oil, and all the…". The book as a whole is law and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Leviticus 2?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "When any one shall offer an oblation of sacrifice to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour: and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Leviticus Chapter 2?

This chapter mentions Aaron.

Who wrote Leviticus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood. Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Related Chapters

Exodus 28Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 6Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 6Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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