Leviticus 2:12
New International Version
You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of the firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma.

New Living Translation
You may add yeast and honey to an offering of the first crops of your harvest, but these must never be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

English Standard Version
As an offering of firstfruits you may bring them to the LORD, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing aroma.

Berean Standard Bible
You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of firstfruits, but they must not go up on the altar as a pleasing aroma.

King James Bible
As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.

New King James Version
As for the offering of the firstfruits, you shall offer them to the LORD, but they shall not be burned on the altar for a sweet aroma.

New American Standard Bible
As an offering of first fruits you shall bring them to the LORD, but they shall not ascend as a soothing aroma on the altar.

NASB 1995
‘As an offering of first fruits you shall bring them to the LORD, but they shall not ascend for a soothing aroma on the altar.

NASB 1977
‘As an offering of first fruits, you shall bring them to the LORD, but they shall not ascend for a soothing aroma on the altar.

Legacy Standard Bible
As an offering of first fruits you shall bring them near to Yahweh, but they shall not ascend for a soothing aroma on the altar.

Amplified Bible
As an offering of first fruits you may offer them [leaven and honey] to the LORD, but they shall not go up [in smoke] on the altar as a sweet and soothing aroma.

Christian Standard Bible
You may present them to the LORD as an offering of firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You may present them to the LORD as an offering of firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma.

American Standard Version
As an oblation of first- fruits ye shall offer them unto Jehovah: but they shall not come up for a sweet savor on the altar.

Contemporary English Version
You may offer either of them separately, when you present the first part of your harvest to me, but they must never be burned on the altar.

English Revised Version
As an oblation of firstfruits ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not come up for a sweet savour on the altar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You may bring them to the LORD as offerings of your first products. But they must never be placed on the altar to make a soothing aroma.

Good News Translation
An offering of the first grain that you harvest each year shall be brought to the LORD, but it is not to be burned on the altar.

International Standard Version
You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of first fruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar for a pleasing aroma."

Majority Standard Bible
You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma.

NET Bible
You can present them to the LORD as an offering of first fruit, but they must not go up to the altar for a soothing aroma.

New Heart English Bible
As an offering of firstfruits you shall offer them to the LORD: but they shall not ascend for a pleasant aroma on the altar.

Webster's Bible Translation
As for the oblation of the first-fruits, ye shall offer them to the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savor.

World English Bible
As an offering of first fruits you shall offer them to Yahweh, but they shall not rise up as a pleasant aroma on the altar.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
An offering of first-[fruits]—you bring them near to YHWH, but they do not go up on the altar for refreshing fragrance.

Young's Literal Translation
An offering of first -fruits -- ye bring them near to Jehovah, but on the altar they go not up, for sweet fragrance.

Smith's Literal Translation
The offering of the first fruits ye shall bring them near to Jehovah: and to the altar they shall not go up for an odor of sweetness.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
You shall offer only the firstfruits of them and gifts: but they shall not be put upon the altar, for a savour of sweetness,

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall offer only the first-fruits of these along with the gifts. Yet truly, these shall not be placed upon the altar as an odor of sweetness.

New American Bible
Such you may present to the LORD in the offering of the first produce that is processed, but they are not to be placed on the altar for a pleasing odor.

New Revised Standard Version
You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of choice products, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing odor.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As for the offerings of the first-fruits, you shall offer them to the LORD; but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The offerings of first fruits you shall bring to LORD JEHOVAH, and upon the altar they will not offer for a sweet savor.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As an offering of first-fruits ye may bring them unto the LORD; but they shall not come up for a sweet savour on the altar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ye shall bring them in the way of fruits to the Lord, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a sweet-smelling savour to the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws for Grain Offerings
11No grain offering that you present to the LORD may be made with leaven, for you are not to burn any leaven or honey as an offering made by fire to the LORD. 12You may bring them to the LORD as an offering of firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma. 13And you shall season each of your grain offerings with salt. You must not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offering; you are to add salt to each of your offerings.…

Cross References
Exodus 34:22
And you are to celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.

Numbers 18:12
I give you all the freshest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain that the Israelites give to the LORD as their firstfruits.

Deuteronomy 26:2
you are to take some of the firstfruits of all your produce from the soil of the land that the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name,

Nehemiah 10:35-37
We will also bring the firstfruits of our land and of every fruit tree to the house of the LORD year by year. / And we will bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God. / Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor.

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops; / then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Ezekiel 44:30
The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.

Malachi 3:10
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Luke 11:42
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

Romans 11:16
If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

1 Corinthians 15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Galatians 6:6
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.

Philippians 4:18
I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:15-16
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. / And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.


Treasury of Scripture

As for the oblation of the first fruits, you shall offer them to the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet smell.

the oblation

Genesis 23:10,11,17
And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying, …

Exodus 22:29
Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.

Exodus 23:10,11,19
And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: …

be burnt [heb] ascend

Jump to Previous
Altar Aroma Ascend Burnt First Firstfruits First-Fruits Fragrance Fruits Oblation Odor Odour Offer Offered Offering Pleasant Pleasing Present Savor Savour Smell Soothing Sweet
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Altar Aroma Ascend Burnt First Firstfruits First-Fruits Fragrance Fruits Oblation Odor Odour Offer Offered Offering Pleasant Pleasing Present Savor Savour Smell Soothing Sweet
Leviticus 2
1. The meat offering with oil and incense
4. either baked in the oven
5. or on a plate
7. or in a frying pan
12. The first fruits not to be burnt on the altar,
13. Salt to be used with every offering
14. The offering of first fruits














You may present them
The phrase "You may present them" indicates a voluntary act of worship and devotion. The Hebrew root for "present" is "qarab," which means to bring near or to offer. This reflects the Israelites' opportunity to draw near to God through their offerings. In the context of ancient Israel, presenting offerings was a tangible expression of faith and gratitude, acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty.

to the LORD
The term "LORD" in the Hebrew text is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God. This highlights the covenant relationship between God and His people. Offering to the LORD signifies an act of worship directed exclusively to the one true God, emphasizing His holiness and the Israelites' commitment to Him.

as an offering of the firstfruits
The "offering of the firstfruits" refers to the practice of giving the first and best portion of the harvest to God. The Hebrew word for "firstfruits" is "bikkurim," which signifies the initial yield of the harvest. This act was a demonstration of trust in God's continued provision and a recognition of His ownership over all creation. It was a way for the Israelites to honor God with the first and best of what they received.

but they are not to be offered on the altar
This phrase sets a boundary for the use of firstfruits offerings. The Hebrew word for "altar" is "mizbeach," a place of sacrifice and worship. The instruction that firstfruits are not to be offered on the altar as a burnt offering suggests a distinction in the types of offerings and their purposes. It underscores the idea that not all offerings were meant for the same ritual use, reflecting the diverse ways in which God could be honored.

as a pleasing aroma
The phrase "as a pleasing aroma" is often used in the context of burnt offerings that are wholly consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication to God. The Hebrew word for "pleasing" is "nihoach," which conveys the idea of rest or satisfaction. While firstfruits were not to be burned on the altar, the concept of a "pleasing aroma" reminds us of the ultimate goal of offerings: to bring joy and satisfaction to God through sincere worship and obedience.

(12) As for the oblation.--Better, as an oblation of firstfruits ye may offer them. This verse mentions an exception to the rule laid down in the previous one. i.e., leaven and honey, which are excluded from the meat offerings, may be used with firstfruits. Hence they are mentioned with firstfruits (Leviticus 23:17; 2Chronicles 31:5).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You may bring
תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ (taq·rî·ḇū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

them to the LORD
לַיהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

as an offering
קָרְבַּ֥ן (qā·rə·ban)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7133: Something brought near the altar, a sacrificial present

of firstfruits,
רֵאשִׁ֛ית (rê·šîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7225: The first, in place, time, order, rank

but they are not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to be offered
יַעֲל֖וּ (ya·‘ă·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

on
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the altar
הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

as a pleasing
נִיחֹֽחַ׃ (nî·ḥō·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5207: A quieting, soothing, tranquilizing

aroma.
לְרֵ֥יחַ (lə·rê·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7381: To smell, perceive odor


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OT Law: Leviticus 2:12 As an offering of firstfruits you shall (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 2:11
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