John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 2:11

"No meal-offering, which ye shall offer unto Jehovah, shall be made with leaven; for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire unto Jehovah." — Leviticus 2:11 (ASV)

No meat-offering, which you shall bring. God here forbids leavened cakes to be offered to Him, by which rite the ancients were taught that God’s service is corrupted if any strange invention is mingled with it. Nor can it be doubted that Christ alluded to this when He warned His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:11), understanding by that word the fictions by which they had corrupted religion.

The eating of leaven was forbidden in the Passover for another reason, namely, that they might remember their sudden departure, or rather flight, in which there was no time to prepare provisions for their journey. Although Paul extends it even further, namely, that believers should abstain from all leaven of malice and wickedness (1 Corinthians 5:8).

It is clear, however, that in this general rule all adventitious corruptions are condemned, by which pure religion is polluted, as if it were said that no offerings would be approved by God except such as were genuine and free from all strange flavor.

With reference to the honey, the basis for its regulation is more obscure, for I do not know whether much reliance can be placed on the subtle discussions of some respecting its nature.²⁵² But although I hardly dare to make any assertion about this, still I pass by fanciful ideas and put forward what seems more probable to me. Cooked honey immediately becomes sour and causes the bread with which it is mixed to ferment; leaven and honey, therefore, seem to be associated in the prohibition, so that neither should be offered in the fire.

Regarding what Moses adds just afterwards, You shall offer them among the first-fruits, I do not know whether it applies to the leaven, as some think; certainly, the exception seems to be simpler, that the first-fruits of honey would indeed be acceptable to God, provided it did not corrupt the offerings of the altar.

But no doubt the ancients understood the meaning of this precept, otherwise it would have been useless, and thus knew that nothing was legitimate in the sacrifices except what God appointed. But let us, since the use of the ceremony is abolished, learn not to intrude our own imaginations or inventions in God’s service, but to follow obediently the rule which He prescribes.

²⁵² They appear, indeed, to have been manifold. “R. Salomon (says Corn. a Lapide, in loco) understands by honey, sweet fruits, such as figs and dates. Philo, ) understands by honey, sweet fruits, such as figs and dates. Philo, lib. de Vict., thinks that honey was forbidden in the sacrifices, because the bee is an impure animal, generated by the putrid carcases of oxen.” Oleaster gives as a reason that honey burns with an offensive smell; and many commentators, because it was constantly offered in the Gentile sacrifices.thinks that honey was forbidden in the sacrifices, because the bee is an impure animal, generated by the putrid carcases of oxen.” Oleaster gives as a reason that honey burns with an offensive smell; and many commentators, because it was constantly offered in the Gentile sacrifices.