Deuteronomy 26:4
And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God.
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 9
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מִיָּדֶ֑ךָ
out of thine hand
H3027
מִיָּדֶ֑ךָ
out of thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 9
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְהִ֨נִּיח֔וֹ
and set it down
H3240
וְהִ֨נִּיח֔וֹ
and set it down
Strong's:
H3240
Word #:
5 of 9
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
לִפְנֵ֕י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֕י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Historical Context
The altar at the central sanctuary (eventually Jerusalem's temple) was the bronze altar in the courtyard, where burnt offerings and other sacrifices were made. Firstfruits weren't burned but presented, then distributed to the Levites. This ceremony predates temple construction—it would initially occur at the tabernacle in Shiloh (Joshua 18:1), then later at Solomon's temple. The priest receiving the offering represented the entire tribe of Levi, which had no agricultural land and depended on Israel's tithes and offerings.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's priestly mediation enable your imperfect offerings to become acceptable worship?
- What does it mean practically to set your work and productivity 'before the altar'—to consciously dedicate it to God?
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Analysis & Commentary
The priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God—the transfer from worshiper to priest symbolizes the offering's acceptance. The priest doesn't consume it immediately but sets it down before the altar (hinnicho lifnei mizbach YHWH), formally presenting it to God. This choreography emphasizes that offerings belong to God primarily, not to the priesthood, though priests later receive portions (Deuteronomy 18:3-4).
The mizbeach (altar) is the meeting point between heaven and earth, where holy God receives gifts from sinful humanity. The basket's placement lifnei (before/in the presence of) the altar positions the offering in God's immediate purview—not peripheral but central to worship. The physical act teaches theological reality: all productivity derives from divine blessing and rightfully returns to its source.
This priestly action anticipates the greater ministry of Christ, who takes our offerings (our very lives, Romans 12:1) and presents them acceptable to the Father. The Levitical priest mediates the basket; the eternal High Priest mediates the worshiper himself.