Leviticus 3

Leviticus 3 describes the peace offering, a sacrifice of fellowship with God. The worshiper brings a spotless animal from the herd or flock, and the best fat is burned on the altar for the LORD. Unlike the burnt offering, much of the meat was eaten by the worshiper in a shared meal before God. The chapter ends by forbidding Israel to eat fat or blood.

Leviticus 3:1

The peace offering is a gift of fellowship. The worshiper may bring a male or female from the herd, but it must be without blemish. Nothing second-rate may come before the LORD. This offering celebrates being at peace with God.

BSA: peace offering (“a sacrifice of peace, a gift to maintain fellowship”): This sacrifice is about friendship and wholeness with God, not only about removing guilt. without blemish (“unblemished, perfect, without defects”): God is given the best, a picture of wholehearted giving.

Hebrew: שְׁלָמִים (shelamim, H8002) — “peace offerings, offerings of well-being.” It comes from the word shalom, meaning wholeness and well-being. The offering celebrates a relationship made whole.

See also: Leviticus 7:11-15.

Leviticus 3:2

The worshiper lays a hand on the animal’s head, then kills it at the tent entrance. The priests sprinkle the blood around the altar. The hand shows the animal is his own gift, standing in his place before God. The blood is handled with great respect.

BSA: blood (“the liquid essential for life”): Blood stands for life, so it is poured out to God and treated as holy.

See also: Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 17:11.

Leviticus 3:3-4

The offering begins with the best fat: the fat around the inner organs, both kidneys, and the lobe of the liver. These richest parts are set apart for the LORD. Giving God the best portion is an act of honor and thanks.

BSA: fat (“the richest or best part”): The word means the choicest portion, so what is burned is the very best, given to God.

Leviticus 3:5

The priests burn these portions on the altar, on top of the daily burnt offering. Fellowship rests on the foundation of an offering already given for sin and for devotion. The smoke rises as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

BSA: aroma (“a sweet fragrance, soothing”): The picture is of God receiving the offering gladly, as one enjoys a pleasant smell.

See also: Exodus 29:38-42; Ephesians 5:2.

Leviticus 3:6-7

A worshiper may instead bring an animal from the flock, male or female, again without blemish. A lamb is mentioned specifically. Rich and poor alike could take part in the offering, according to what they had. Whatever the animal, it is presented before the LORD.

BSA: present (“approach, come near”): Bringing the offering is also a way of coming near to God himself.

Leviticus 3:8

The steps are the same as with the herd animal. The worshiper lays his hand on the head and slaughters the animal in front of the Tent of Meeting. The priests sprinkle the blood around the altar. The worshiper takes a personal part in the offering.

BSA: hand (“an open hand; strength, a side or share”): Laying on the hand shows that this animal truly belongs to the worshiper and acts for him.

Leviticus 3:9-10

With a sheep, the whole fat tail is also given. This was a thick, rich piece of fat from the breed of sheep common there. The inner fat, kidneys, and liver lobe follow as before. Every rich part is given to God.

BSA: fat tail (“the whole rump”): The entire rich tail is given, with nothing held back.

Leviticus 3:11

The priest burns these portions on the altar. The text calls them food for the LORD, an offering made by fire. This is the language of a table: God is honored as the host, and the sacrifice is his meal.

BSA: food (“nourishment, bread”): God is treated as the host at the table, though he needs nothing.

Hebrew: לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — “bread, food.” The same word is used for everyday bread and for meals. It gives the sacrifice the feel of a meal shared with God.

See also: Psalm 50:12-14.

Leviticus 3:12-13

A goat is also allowed. The worshiper again lays his hand on its head and slaughters it before the Tent of Meeting, and the priests sprinkle the blood. The same care is shown for the humblest animal. God receives worship from every household.

BSA: goat (“she-goat, kid”): A goat was a common, ordinary animal, so even modest means could offer it.

Leviticus 3:14-15

The fat covering the inner organs, the kidneys, and the liver lobe are again given to the LORD. The list repeats from the earlier sections. By repeating it, the chapter stresses that the same choicest parts belong to God, whatever animal is offered.

BSA: remove (“to turn aside, take away”): The liver lobe is carefully set aside from the rest of the animal, to be given to God.

Leviticus 3:16

The priest burns it all on the altar as a pleasing aroma. Then comes the summary: all the fat is the LORD’s. The best belongs to God. Giving it is a sign that he is worthy of our first and richest offering.

BSA: pleasing (“soothing, a sweet”): God is pictured as pleased with the offering.

See also: Proverbs 3:9.

Leviticus 3:17

This is a lasting law for all generations, wherever Israel lives: no fat and no blood may be eaten. Both were God’s portion. Blood stands for life, and the fat is the best part. This reminds Israel that life and the best belong to him.

BSA: permanent (“lasting, perpetual”): The command was meant to be kept by Israel from generation to generation. blood (“the liquid that flows through the body”): Blood carries the life of the creature, so it is not to be eaten.

See also: Leviticus 17:10-14; Genesis 9:4.