Definition: For every meat offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this important passage from Leviticus, Verse 23. It’s a really significant rule about how sacrifices were to be performed in ancient Israel. Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, this verse says that every meat offering made for the priests – meaning anything offered to them – would be completely burned. Let’s unpack that a little bit: “For every meat offering…” This tells us it applies to all animal sacrifices. It wasn't just one type of sacrifice; it was for everything offered to the priest. “…for the priest shall be wholly burnt…” This means the entire offering would be completely destroyed. There wouldn’t be any leftovers or a portion left over. "...it shall not be eaten." This is the crucial part! Because the offering was so sacred, it wasn't meant to be consumed by anyone but the priest. It was a ritualistic act – a way of showing reverence and acknowledging God’s presence. Why was this rule in place? This law was designed to protect the Jewish people from accidental poisoning. Animals could have been contaminated with things like sin, or even something poisonous. By burning the offering completely, they were symbolically cleansing themselves of any potential harm. In essence, it's a very strict rule about hygiene and respect for God in the sacrificial process. --- Do you want to know more about: The historical context of this law? How it relates to other laws in the Old Testament? What it tells us about the holiness of animals?