The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 80

and by Jerome: and certainly the similitude is apt. Though luscious to the palate, it is bitter to the stomach. So evermore is sensual gratification (see Prov. xxv. 16, 27). (2) 'l'he exclusion of honey from the sacrifices and offerings of the altar will, therefore, convey important morals, viz. (a) consi<lering these as types of Christ, (b) considering them also as types of such spiritual sacrifices as we can present acceptably to Goel through Christ. Another reason may be: 2. Because honey was offered with the abominations of the heathen. (1) Honey was offered to Bacchus and to the dii swperi, the dii inferi, and departed heroes. Hence Orpheus, in beginning his hymns, calls the infernal gods p.Ev..1x101 8E01, and the souls of the dead, µ.•J..1(f(J'a.,,, The origin of which custom is thus explained by Porphyry, "They made honey a symbol of death; and therefore poured out a libation of honey to the terrestrial gods" (see Brown's 'Anti- quities,' vol. i. p. 3-31). (2) The Hebrews were instructed scrupulously to avoid the customs of the pagans (see Deut. xii. 29-31). Let Protestants studiously avoid the abominations of the Romish Antichrist (Rev. xviii. 4). (3) Leaven and honey might be offered with the oblation of the firstfruits; but they must not come upon God's altar. This is the teaching of ver. 12. The loa'l"es of the firstfruits, which were perquisites of the priests, were even ordered to be baken with leaven (eh. xxiii. 17). So in like manner honey was to be offered to them (2 Chron. xxxi. 5). There are things which may be lawfully offered to man that may not be offered to God. As leaven and honey minlged with the bread, even of the priests, so human conversation, at its best, is but imperfect. Ill. THE REQUISITION OF SALT (ver. 13). The reason of this appears in the many excellent things of which salt was the symbol. 1. It was a symbol of purity. (1) Hence it is described as" the salt of the covenant of God." The Hebrew term for covenant (n~, berith) literally signifies purification ; and the covenant of God is the gospel which is instituted of God for our purification from sin. (2) Perhaps it was religiously, viz. in relation to the covenant, rather than for hygien;.c purposes, that infants were rubbed with salt (see Ezek. xvi. 4). 2. It was a symbol of friendship. (1) The effect of a covenant to the faithful is friendship. So, in token of friendship, the ancient Greeks ate bread and salt together. And the Russian emperors had a custom, derived to them from antiquity, of sending bread and salt from their tables to persons they intended to honour. (2) The delights of friendship are also set forth iu this symbol. The following is rendered by Dr. A. Clarke from Pliny :-" So essentially necessary is salt that without it human life cannot be preserved: and even the pleasures and endowments of the mind are expressed by it; the delights of life, repose, and the highest mental serenity are expressed by no other term than sales among the Latina. It has also been applied to designate the honourable rewards given to soldiers, which are called salurii or salaries. But its importance may be further understood by its use in sacred things, as no sacrifice was offered to the gods without the salt-cake." (3) But that" conversation" of Christians is best" seasoned" that has the "salt of the covenant" (see Job vi. 6; Col iv. 5, 6). 3. It was a symbol of perpetuity. (1) This is suggested by its preserving properties. It is used to preserve meat and other things from decomposing. It is in this the very opposite of leaven; so, the reason which includes the one excludes the other. (2) Hence by the symbol of salt the perpetuity of God's covenant is expressed. Thus," It is a covenant of salt/or ever before the Lord" (Numb. xviii. 19; see also 2 Chron. xiii. 5). (3) Christians, who are tho people of the covenant, are the preservers of the earth (see Matt. v. 13). Take the Christians out of the world, and it will rot. 4. The qualities of salt shoul,d distinguisl, all sacrifices. (1) They do distinguish the Great Sacrifice of Calvary. (2) All Chris- tian offerings should resemble that. In allusion to the salting of sacrifices preparatory to their being offered up in the flames of the altar, our Lord says," Every one shall be salted with fire," or rather, 11 salted/or tlie fire," viz. of the altar, "and," or rather, "as every sacrifice is salted with salt" (Mark ix. 49, 60). "We may reasonably infer, that as salt has two qualities-the one to season meat, the other to preserve it from corrup- tion; so it fitly denotes that integrity and incorruptness which season every sacrifice, and render men's persons and services grateful to God" (Old Bible).-J. A. M. Vera. 14-16.-The minc1iah of the firstfruits. Having viewed the minchah as a type of Christ, and having considered the feast upon it as expressing fellowBhip with God iu  THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [cJI. n. 1-16.