Leviticus 3:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD [be] of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"'If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offerings to ADONAI is from the flock, then, when he offers it, no matter whether it is male or female, it must be without defect.

Berean Standard Bible:

If, however, one’s peace offering to the LORD is from the flock, he must present a male or female without blemish.

American Standard Version:

And if his oblation for a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And if his offering^{H7133} for a sacrifice^{H2077} of peace offering^{H8002} unto the LORD^{H3068} be of the flock^{H6629}; male^{H2145} or female^{H5347}, he shall offer^{H7126} it without blemish^{H8549}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 3:6

1. **Themes:**
- **Sacrifice and Worship:** The verse emphasizes the importance of offering a sacrifice without blemish as an act of worship to God. This reflects the broader theme of approaching God with one's best and the idea that worship should be characterized by holiness and perfection.
- **Peace Offering:** This type of offering was unique among the sacrifices in that it was a voluntary expression of gratitude or devotion. Unlike other sacrifices, it was not exclusively for atonement but could also celebrate fellowship with God, as portions of the offering were shared among the priests, the offerer, and God.
- **Inclusivity and Equality:** The verse specifies that the offering can be either male or female, indicating that both genders of livestock were acceptable. This suggests a form of inclusivity and equality in worship, where the worshipper's intent and the quality of the offering were more important than specific gender distinctions.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Mosaic Law:** Leviticus 3:6 is part of the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. These laws were meant to guide the religious and social life of the Israelite community.
- **Cultic Practice:** The detailed instructions for sacrifices reflect the priestly and cultic practices of the time. The peace offering was one of several types of sacrifices (along with burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings) that were integral to the worship of the ancient Israelites.
- **Temple Worship:** Although the tabernacle was the central place of worship during the time of Moses, the instructions for sacrifices like the peace offering would later be applied to temple worship in Jerusalem.
- **Symbolism of Perfection:** The requirement for an unblemished animal reflects the cultural and religious value placed on physical perfection as a symbol of the sacred and the suitable gift for a deity.

In summary, Leviticus 3:6 is situated within the context of ancient Israelite worship and ritual law, emphasizing the sanctity and voluntary nature of peace offerings and the necessity of presenting one's best to God in an act of worship and fellowship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7133
   There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קׇרְבָּן
   Transliteration: qorbân
   Pronunciation: kor-bawn'
   Description: or קֻרְבָּן; from קָרַב; something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present; oblation, that is offered, offering.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2077
   There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זֶבַח
   Transliteration: zebach
   Pronunciation: zeh'-bakh
   Description: from זָבַח; properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act); offer(-ing), sacrifice.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8002
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁלֶם
   Transliteration: shelem
   Pronunciation: sheh'-lem
   Description: from שָׁלַם; properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks; peace offering.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6629
   There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צֹאן
   Transliteration: tsôʼn
   Pronunciation: tsone
   Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds).
   
6. Strong's Number: H2145
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָכָר
   Transliteration: zâkâr
   Pronunciation: zaw-kawr'
   Description: from זָכַר; properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex); [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind).
   
7. Strong's Number: H5347
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נְקֵבָה
   Transliteration: nᵉqêbâh
   Pronunciation: nek-ay-baw'
   Description: from נָקַב; female (from the sexual form); female.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7126
   There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרַב
   Transliteration: qârab
   Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
   Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.
   
9. Strong's Number: H8549
   There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּמִים
   Transliteration: tâmîym
   Pronunciation: taw-meem'
   Description: from תָּמַם; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth; without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright(-ly), whole.