Leaven was forbidden in any meat offering presented to God to be burned on the altar. The same prohibition applied to honey. Fermentation is a symbol of corruption. Said Christ, “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). Paul speaks of the “leaven of malice and wickedness” (1 Cor. 5:8). Honey as well as leaven was used to produce fermentation, especially in the making of vinegar. Interpreters generally associate honey with the lusts of the flesh, which may indeed be pleasing, but which contain the elements of corruption and are destructive of spiritual life. However, though leaven and honey might not be burned on the altar, leaven was definitely commanded to be brought as first fruits (Lev. 23:17), and honey was among the first fruits offered by Hezekiah (2 Chron. 31:5).