Definition: And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, [even] an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 23:18. It’s a really important part of Jewish tradition about how to give thanks and honor God! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it's saying: “When we celebrate a special occasion – like a harvest festival or a major religious event – we need to offer a special gift to God. This gift includes specific animals and foods, and it’s all about showing our gratitude and worship.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year…” This means we’ll sacrifice seven lambs – they have to be perfect and clean – at the beginning of the year. “Without blemish” is a key phrase; it means they need to be pure and free from any imperfections. “…and one young bullock…” This is a single, young bull (a male bovine animal) that we’ll offer as a gift. “and two rams:” This refers to two rams – majestic animals – that will be presented as offerings. Rams are symbols of strength and protection, so this is a special gesture. “…they shall be [for] a burnt offering unto the LORD.” "Burnt offering" means we’re offering them as a sacrifice to God, acknowledging His power and presence. “with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD.” This is where it gets really interesting! We're giving them food – not just a simple offering – but food that’s specially prepared to be offered to God. “of sweet savour unto the LORD”: This means we need to make sure the food isn’t plain or ordinary. It needs to have a special, pleasing taste – a way to show how much we appreciate and respect Him. It's about making something worthy of God's attention. Why is this important? This verse highlights that giving gifts to God is a fundamental part of Jewish faith. It shows reverence, humility, and a desire for closeness with the divine. It’s a way of saying, “We acknowledge Your power and care through our offering.” In short, it's a beautiful ritual designed to connect us with God in a meaningful way. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Give an example of how this practice might have been used in the past?