Definition: And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt [it] upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 9:17. It’s a really important and somewhat unusual detail about how sacrifices were performed in ancient Israel. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a specific ritual where the meat offering was intentionally burned on an altar. It’s a very symbolic act with deep meaning. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And he brought the meat offering…” – This refers to a regular sacrificial animal, likely a lamb or goat, offered as a sign of gratitude and atonement for sins. “…and took an handful thereof…” - "A handful" is a relatively small amount. It’s not a huge amount, but it was significant. Think of it like a small portion – enough to be acknowledged and honored. “And burnt [it] upon the altar…” – This is the key part. The meat offering wasn't just placed on the altar; it was burned . Burning meant a powerful, deliberate act of purification and acknowledging God’s presence. “…beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.” - This is where it gets really interesting. This wasn’t just any burnt sacrifice. It happened beside (near) the regular, established sacrificial offerings made during the morning's sunrise. What does this all mean? The most common interpretation is that this ritual was a way to purify and cleanse something – likely an area of land or a place of worship - from sin and impurity. Burning the meat offered symbolically cleansed that space, demonstrating that the people were acknowledging their sins and seeking forgiveness. Important Context: It’s important to understand this happened after a significant event – the death of the first man, Adam. The act of burning represents a turning away from sin and a commitment to a new covenant with God. It was a way to remind people that they were part of a holy community and that their actions needed to be aligned with God’s will. In short: This verse is a vivid illustration of how ancient Israelites practiced atonement by deliberately burning offerings, symbolizing purification and recognizing God's presence in the midst of sin. --- Do you want me to: Explain this passage further? Discuss its significance within the Old Testament? Give you another example of a Bible verse?