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As the name implies, this offering was made with raw grain or of baked dough derived from refined grain or meal. The grain offering was a gift to God, a memorial to God’s constant grace. Most often it accompanied burnt or peace offerings. The passage presenting the grain offering is divided into three brief sections: (1) the basic regulations, including the ritual for the offering (vv.1-3), (2) additional regulations for baked grain offerings (vv.4-10), and (3) miscellaneous regulations (vv.11-16).
1. The grain offering was to be prepared according to specified regulations and presented to the priest, who burned it on the altar. Thus offered, the grain is described as a memorial, an aroma pleasing to the Lord (v.2). Implicit in the term memorial is the idea that the offerer remembers God’s constant grace in providing one’s daily food.
2. In addition to raw grain, baked loaves or cakes of finest flour could be given as a grain offering. Specific directions for baking are given. The most likely reason that the use of yeast and honey are forbidden is because both are subject to fermentation.
3. Among miscellaneous regulations is the instruction to use salt as a seasoning for the grain offering (v.13). The term salt of the covenant used here emphasizes the binding character of God’s covenant with his people. Jesus may have had the concept of the salt of the covenant in mind when he said to his followers, “You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13).