Old Testament

Leviticus 24:7

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

Place pure frankincense upon each row, so it will be on the bread as a memorial, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

What Leviticus 24:7 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In Leviticus 24:7, God instructs the Israelites to place pure frankincense on the showbread, which was a special bread set before the Lord in the tabernacle. The frankincense serves as a fragrant memorial, symbolizing the people's devotion and the sweetness of their offerings to God. This act of placing frankincense on the bread signifies that the offerings are not just physical sustenance but also spiritual expressions of worship. The use of frankincense, a valuable and aromatic resin, highlights the importance of giving God the best in worship. It reminds the Israelites that their offerings should be pure and pleasing to the Lord, reflecting their commitment to Him. This practice emphasizes the significance of worship and the need for a sincere heart when approaching God, as well as the idea that offerings are a way to maintain a relationship with Him.

How to apply Leviticus 24:7 to your life

In our worship today, we can learn from the importance of offering our best to God. This can mean dedicating our time, talents, and resources to serve Him and others. Just as frankincense was a symbol of devotion, we should strive to make our offerings meaningful and sincere, reflecting our love for God.

Curated for this public verse page. Leviticus Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt

Illustrated scene from Moses's story: Israel Enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–22)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Moses

Walls uncovered by archaeologists on the mound of Tell es-Sultan, with palm trees in the distance.

Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Jericho

The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Leviticus 24:7

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Leviticus 24:7

At a Glance — the Book of Leviticus

Author
Traditionally attributed to Moses
Written
Around 1400 BC
Genre
Law (Pentateuch)
Original Audience
The Israelites in the wilderness

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Leviticus 24:7 mean?

Leviticus 24:7 instructs the Israelites to place pure frankincense on the showbread in the tabernacle. This act symbolizes their devotion to God and signifies that their offerings are not just physical but also spiritual expressions of worship.

What is the significance of frankincense in Leviticus 24:7?

Frankincense in Leviticus 24:7 represents a fragrant memorial to God, highlighting the importance of offering something valuable and pure. It emphasizes that worship should be sincere and reflect a commitment to God.

How does Leviticus 24:7 relate to worship today?

Leviticus 24:7 teaches that worship should involve giving our best to God, whether through time, talents, or resources. It encourages making our offerings meaningful and sincere as a reflection of our love for Him.

What does the term 'memorial' mean in Leviticus 24:7?

In Leviticus 24:7, 'memorial' refers to the act of remembering and honoring God through offerings. It signifies that the frankincense and showbread serve as a reminder of the people's devotion and commitment to God.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.