1 “If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord.
2 And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar.
3 And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,
4 Then he shall offer from it all its fat: the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails,
5 Then Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
6 “If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering to the Lord is an animal from the flock, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.”
7 If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall offer it before the Lord,
8 Then he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it in front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons shall throw its blood against the sides of the altar.
9 Then from the sacrifice of the peace offering he shall offer as a food offering to the Lord its fat; he shall remove the whole fat tail, cut off close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails
10 And the priest shall burn it on the altar as a food offering made by fire to the Lord.
11 Then the priest shall burn it on the altar as a food offering to the Lord.
12 If his offering is a goat, then he shall offer it before the Lord.
13 And he shall lay his hand on its head and kill it in front of the tent of meeting, and the sons of Aaron shall throw its blood against the sides of the altar.
14 And he shall offer from it, as his offering for a food offering to the Lord, the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,
15 And the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys.
16 All fat is the Lord’s.
17 It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”
The True Meaning of Leviticus 3
The Book of Leviticus was written by Moses, the great prophet and leader of the Israelites. Leviticus, the second book in the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Bible, provides detailed instructions on the laws and rituals that the Israelites were to follow as they journeyed towards the Promised Land. This chapter delves into the regulations surrounding the peace offering, a voluntary sacrifice made to the Lord. These offerings were a way for the people to express their gratitude and devotion to God, and to seek His continued blessings and protection. We will see how these sacrifices were to be carried out as we explore this chapter, and how they foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice that would be made by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
Throughout this passage, we will find references to other important biblical events, such as the Exodus and the establishment of the Tabernacle. These connections help us to understand the broader context of the Israelites’ relationship with God, and the importance of obedience and worship in their journey towards the Promised Land.
Leviticus 3:1-5
The focus in Leviticus 3:1-5 is on the peace offering, which is one of the sacrifices described in the book of Leviticus. This offering was voluntary, unlike the sin offering which was mandatory for specific sins. The peace offering was a way for the Israelites to express gratitude, worship, and fellowship with God. The animal offered in the peace offering could be a male or female from the herd or the flock, highlighting that it was accessible to all, regardless of wealth or status.
The detailed instructions in these verses emphasize the importance of the quality of the offering. It was to be without blemish, signifying that only the best was to be presented to God. This requirement reflects the idea of giving God our best in worship and in our lives. This principle can be applied to believers today in offering not just material possessions but also our time, talents, and hearts as a pleasing sacrifice to God.
The process of offering the peace offering involved laying hands on the head of the animal, symbolizing identification with the sacrifice and the transfer of sin. This act represented the offerer transferring their sin and guilt to the innocent animal, foreshadowing the concept of atonement found in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. This shedding of blood as a substitute for sin points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, who was the perfect, spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
The offering was then slaughtered, and the blood was sprinkled on the altar. The fat from the offering, particularly the fat that covered the entrails and the lobe of the liver, was to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. The fat was considered the best part of the animal, and by offering it to God, the worshipper acknowledged God’s preeminence in their life. This act of sacrifice and the aroma that ascended to God symbolized a sweet communion between God and His people. These verses on the peace offering in Leviticus 3 serve as a reminder of the importance of approaching God with reverence, offering our best to Him, and understanding the significance of sacrifice in worship. They also point us to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sins, once and for all, bringing true peace and reconciliation between God and humanity.
Leviticus 3:6-11
The focus in Leviticus 3:6-11 is on the peace offering, which was a type of sacrifice offered to express thanksgiving, gratitude, and fellowship with God. The peace offering was a voluntary offering, unlike the sin offering, and it symbolized communion between God, the offeror, and the priests, as they shared a portion of the offering. The portion of the sacrifice that was burnt on the altar was considered a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
This section of Leviticus details the specific requirements for the peace offering. For example, it had to be a male or female animal without blemish, showing that God deserves our best in our worship and thanksgiving. The offeror would lay their hand on the head of the animal, symbolizing the transfer of their sins and offering to God. This act represents the idea of substitution, where the innocent animal takes the place of the guilty offeror, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sins of mankind.
The fat of the animal, including the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, was to be offered to the Lord. The fat was considered the choicest part of the animal and was reserved for God alone. This practice signified that God should always come first in our lives, and we should offer Him our best and most valuable possessions. This concept is echoed in other parts of the Bible, such as Proverbs 3:9 which says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.”
Additionally, the blood of the animal was to be sprinkled on the altar, symbolizing atonement and the covering of sins. This act of sprinkling blood for atonement runs throughout the Old Testament sacrificial system and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins once and for all. Jesus is referred to as the “Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6 in the New Testament, emphasizing His role in bringing peace between God and humanity through His sacrifice on the cross. Christians are also called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), reflecting the reconciliation and unity that Christ’s sacrifice has brought about. The peace offering in Leviticus serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate peace offering provided by Jesus Christ, reminding believers of the importance of thanksgiving, fellowship, and communion with God.
Leviticus 3:12-16
The passage in Leviticus 3:12-16 discusses the offering of a goat as a sacrifice. It begins by stating that if someone brings a goat as an offering to the Lord, it should be a male without defect. This requirement for the animal without defect is consistent with the theme of offering the best to God, reflecting the idea of giving one’s best in worship and dedication to God. This demand for perfection in the sacrifice points to the holiness of God and the seriousness with which offerings were to be made.
Furthermore, the passage outlines the process for offering a goat as a sacrifice. The person bringing the goat was to lay their hand on its head before slaughtering it at the entrance of the tent of meeting. This act of laying hands on the animal symbolizes the transfer of sin or guilt from the offerer to the sacrificial animal, representing the atonement for sin through the shedding of blood. This act also serves as a recognition of the offerer’s involvement in the sacrifice, emphasizing personal responsibility and accountability before God.
The blood of the goat was then sprinkled on the altar around it, symbolizing the sanctification and purification that comes through the shedding of blood. This act of sprinkling blood on the altar was a common practice in ancient Israelite sacrificial rituals, signifying the cleansing of sin and reconciliation with God. The burning of the animal on the altar was a demonstration of complete surrender and devotion to God, offering up the entire animal as a symbol of giving all of oneself to the Lord.
This passage in Leviticus 3 sheds light on the importance of sacrifice and atonement in the Israelite religious practices. The meticulous instructions for offering a goat without defect, the laying on of hands, the shedding of blood, and the burning on the altar all point to the seriousness and sacredness of the sacrificial system. These practices were a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice that would come through Jesus Christ, who would offer himself as the perfect atonement for the sins of humanity once and for all.
The concept of sacrifice and atonement runs throughout the Bible, culminating in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). This passage in Leviticus serves as a reminder of the need for atonement for sin and the significance of offering one’s best to God. It invites believers to reflect on the depth of God’s love and the sacrifice made on their behalf, leading to a deeper appreciation of God’s grace and mercy in providing a way for reconciliation with Him through Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 3:17
The verse in Leviticus 3:17 states, “You shall eat neither fat nor blood; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, in all your dwellings.”” This verse concludes a section in Leviticus that discusses the peace offering, where certain portions were to be offered to the Lord, while other parts were permitted for consumption by the worshipper. Here, it is emphasized that the fat and blood should not be eaten.
The prohibition against consuming blood and fat was significant in the Israelite context for several reasons. Blood was seen as sacred, representing life itself, and was to be reserved for atonement on the altar as stated in Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. The Israelites were honoring God’s command and acknowledging His authority over life and death by refraining from consuming blood.
Regarding the prohibition against eating fat, it was also seen as a way to set apart the offerings to the Lord. The fat of an animal was considered the best part, and by not consuming it, the Israelites were demonstrating their obedience and respect for God. The idea of offering the best to God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the principle of giving God our first fruits and honoring Him with our best.
The instruction in Leviticus 3:17 to abstain from eating blood and fat was not just a dietary restriction, but a symbolic act with spiritual significance. It served to remind the Israelites of their covenant relationship with God and the importance of obedience to His commands. This verse underscores the idea that obedience to God’s commands is paramount, even in matters as seemingly mundane as diet. The New Testament shows the significance of blood in the context of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Jesus says in Matthew 26:28 during the Last Supper, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”” Jesus, as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins, fulfilling the need for atonement once and for all. This act superseded the sacrificial system outlined in Leviticus, as believers are now cleansed by the blood of Christ, not the blood of animals. Leviticus 3:17 serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God’s commands, even in matters that may seem inconsequential. It highlights the concept of offering our best to God and the significance of blood in atonement. Jesus Christ’s shed blood provides redemption and forgiveness for all who believe, ultimately pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice.
After Leviticus 3
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone’s offering is a sacrifice of peace offering to the Lord, if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord. He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar. And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys. Then Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.”
The Lord had laid out the proper way for the people to make their peace offerings. But as the reverend, I know that true peace can only be found in the Lord. For it is only through the sacrifice of Christ that we can find true and lasting peace with God. The Lord will instruct the people in the next chapter on how to make their sin offerings, a necessary step towards reconciliation with the Almighty.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.