This verse reminds us that holiness, ordained by God, grants believers both sacred privilege and great responsibility.
Leviticus 6:18 declares that, “Every male among the sons of Aaron may eat it; it is a permanent ordinance throughout your generations, from the offerings by fire to the LORD. Whoever touches them will become consecrated.”. The phrase “every male among the sons of Aaron” refers to the priestly descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who lived during the 15th to 14th century BC. God chose Aaron (Exodus 28:1) and his male offspring to serve as priests, mediating between the Israelite community and the LORD. By granting them permission to eat portions of certain offerings, this verse highlights the priestly privilege and responsibility to draw near to the holy things in the sanctuary. In the ancient Near East, the tribe of Levi and Aaron’s family camped by the tabernacle—initially a portable tent of worship—during Israel’s wilderness journeys, symbolizing their unique role in worship.
When this passage states “it is a permanent ordinance throughout your generations, from the offerings by fire to the LORD,” it underscores the enduring nature of priestly duties. The priests received portions of the grain offerings or meat from sacrifices “by fire,” emphasizing that the best portions belonged to God, yet were graciously shared with His servants (see also Leviticus 2:3, 3:5 for examples of offerings that the priests could partake in). God designed these laws to provide for the priests and to set them apart as consecrated worship leaders. The idea of “whoever touches them will become consecrated” also points to the seriousness of approaching God’s holy gifts. Holiness was (and is) contagious in the sense that handling the sacred offerings brought about greater responsibility and separation from common life.
Moreover, this ordinance foreshadows the holiness believers experience in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:10). Just as the Aaronic priests consumed parts of the offerings and were drawn into fellowship with the LORD, so Christians, through faith, draw near to God, becoming a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). In the Old Testament system, touching the holy portions required consecration and purity. In the New Testament reality, Christ’s perfect sacrifice cleanses and consecrates those who come to Him, enabling a close relationship with the living God.
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Leviticus 6:18 meaning
Leviticus 6:18 declares that, “Every male among the sons of Aaron may eat it; it is a permanent ordinance throughout your generations, from the offerings by fire to the LORD. Whoever touches them will become consecrated.”. The phrase “every male among the sons of Aaron” refers to the priestly descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who lived during the 15th to 14th century BC. God chose Aaron (Exodus 28:1) and his male offspring to serve as priests, mediating between the Israelite community and the LORD. By granting them permission to eat portions of certain offerings, this verse highlights the priestly privilege and responsibility to draw near to the holy things in the sanctuary. In the ancient Near East, the tribe of Levi and Aaron’s family camped by the tabernacle—initially a portable tent of worship—during Israel’s wilderness journeys, symbolizing their unique role in worship.
When this passage states “it is a permanent ordinance throughout your generations, from the offerings by fire to the LORD,” it underscores the enduring nature of priestly duties. The priests received portions of the grain offerings or meat from sacrifices “by fire,” emphasizing that the best portions belonged to God, yet were graciously shared with His servants (see also Leviticus 2:3, 3:5 for examples of offerings that the priests could partake in). God designed these laws to provide for the priests and to set them apart as consecrated worship leaders. The idea of “whoever touches them will become consecrated” also points to the seriousness of approaching God’s holy gifts. Holiness was (and is) contagious in the sense that handling the sacred offerings brought about greater responsibility and separation from common life.
Moreover, this ordinance foreshadows the holiness believers experience in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:10). Just as the Aaronic priests consumed parts of the offerings and were drawn into fellowship with the LORD, so Christians, through faith, draw near to God, becoming a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). In the Old Testament system, touching the holy portions required consecration and purity. In the New Testament reality, Christ’s perfect sacrifice cleanses and consecrates those who come to Him, enabling a close relationship with the living God.