Leviticus 5:12

Verse

He is to bring it to the priest, who shall take a handful from it as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar atop the offerings made by fire to the LORD; it is a sin offering.

American Standard Version (1901)

And he shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as the memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, upon the offerings of Jehovah made by fire: it is a sin-offering.

Bible in Basic English

And let him come to the priest with it, and the priest will take some of it in his hand, to be burned on the altar as a sign, among the offerings of the Lord made by fire: it is a sin-offering.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he shall deliver it to the priest: who shall take a handful thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar for a memorial of him that offered it:

Free Bible Version

Take it to the priest, who shall take a handful as a ‘reminder part’ and burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offerings to the Lord. It is a sin offering.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then shall hee bring it to the Priest, and the Priest shall take his handfull of it for the remembrance thereof, and burne it vpon the altar with the offrings of the Lord made by fire: for it is a sinne offring.

King James (Authorized) Version

Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: it is a sin offering.

One Unity Resource Bible

He shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as the memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, on the offerings of Adonai made by fire. It is a sin offering.

Translation for Translators

You must take it to the priest. He will take a handful of it, to symbolize that the whole offering truly belongs to Yahweh, and burn it on the altar, on top of the other offerings.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He must bring it to the priest, and the priest will take a handful of it as a representative offering and then burn it on the altar, on top of the offerings made by fire for Yahweh. This is a sin offering.

Noah Webster Bible

Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial of it, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire to the LORD: it is a sin-offering.

World English Bible

He shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as the memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, on the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. It is a sin offering.

Young's Literal Translation

and he hath brought it in unto the priest, and the priest hath taken a handful from it — the fulness of his hand — its memorial — and hath made perfume on the altar, according to the fire-offerings of Jehovah; it [is] a sin-offering.

Context

Sins Requiring a Sin Offering

¹¹But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he may bring a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a sin offering. He must not put olive oil or frankincense on it, because it is a sin offering.¹²He is to bring it to the priest, who shall take a handful from it as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar atop the offerings made by fire to the LORD; it is a sin offering.¹³In this way the priest will make atonement for him for any of these sins he has committed, and he will be forgiven. The remainder will belong to the priest, like the grain offering.”

Summary

In Leviticus 5:12, the offering of fine flour without oil or incense symbolizes a humble and simple sacrifice made by those who cannot afford more elaborate offerings. This provision ensures that even the poor can fulfill their obligation to God and seek forgiveness for their sins. It demonstrates God's acceptance of sincere hearts and willingness to receive offerings based on individual circumstances. The emphasis is on the attitude of the worshipper rather than the material value of the offering, reflecting God's grace and accessibility to all, regardless of their social or economic status.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then shall he bring it to the priest,.... The flour just as it was, not kneaded and made into a cake, as appears by what follows: and the priest shall take his handful of it; as much of the flour as he could hold in one hand: even a memorial thereof; to bring to mind his sin, and the goodness of God in admitting of an offering for it, and forgiving it upon that: and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the Lord; in the same manner as other burnt offerings were made: it is a sin offering; or an expiatory sacrifice for sin.