Leviticus3

Leviticus chapter 3 details the regulations for the peace offering, which could be from the herd or flock, male or female, but always without blemish. The offerer would lay hands on the animal, kill it, and the priests would sprinkle its blood upon the altar. Specific fatty portions were then burned on the altar as a sweet savour unto the Lord, while a perpetual statute prohibited the eating of fat or blood.
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The Peace Offering from the Herd (Cattle)

1
And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace-offerings; if he offer of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before Jehovah. ​
2
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his oblation, and kill it at the door of the tent of meeting: and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. ​
3
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards, ​
4
and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the caul upon the liver, with the kidneys, shall he take away.
5
And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt-offering, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah. ​

Peace Offering from the Flock (Lamb)

6
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. ​
7
If he offer a lamb for his oblation, then shall he offer it before Jehovah;
8
and he shall lay his hand upon the head of his oblation, and kill it before the tent of meeting: and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.
9
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; the fat thereof, the fat tail entire, he shall take away hard by the backbone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards, ​
10
and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the loins, and the caul upon the liver, with the kidneys, shall he take away.
11
And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto Jehovah. ​

Peace Offering from the Flock (Goat)

12
And if his oblation be a goat, then he shall offer it before Jehovah:
13
and he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tent of meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.
14
And he shall offer thereof his oblation, even an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
15
and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the loins, and the caul upon the liver, with the kidneys, shall he take away.
16
And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire, for a sweet savor; all the fat is Jehovah’s. ​

Prohibition Against Eating Fat and Blood

17
It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings, that ye shall eat neither fat nor blood. ​

Study Notes for Leviticus 3

Verse 1

The Peace Offering (Hebrew: Zevach Shelamim) is a voluntary sacrifice signifying fellowship, wholeness, or thanksgiving. Unlike the Burnt Offering, the animal may be male or female, emphasizing accessibility and celebration rather than strict atonement.

Verse 2

Laying the hand on the animal’s head symbolizes dedication and identification, dedicating the animal to God for the purpose of fellowship. The blood, which represents the life, is sprinkled around the altar, signifying that the life is consecrated to God.

Verse 3

The fat is consistently designated as God's exclusive portion because it was considered the richest, purest, and most vital part of the animal. This dedication reserves the 'best' of the offering for the divine, setting it apart from the meat shared by the priests and offerers.

Verse 5

The fat is burned upon the Burnt Offering, indicating that the peace offering follows the initial act of full dedication (the burnt offering). The resulting 'sweet savour' signifies God's acceptance of the worshiper and the offering.

Verse 6

This section details the procedure when the offering is a smaller, less costly animal, illustrating that the principle of fellowship is available to all economic classes. The requirements for 'without blemish' remain constant across all animal types.

Verse 9

For sheep, a specific instruction is added concerning the 'whole rump' or fat tail. This was a highly prized delicacy and a large source of fat in ancient Near Eastern sheep breeds, underscoring the command to dedicate the richest parts to the Lord.

Verse 11

The phrase 'it is the food of the offering made by fire' emphasizes the concept of the sacrifice as a meal shared between the worshiper, the priest, and God, with the fat being God’s specific portion.

Verse 16

The declaration, 'all the fat is the LORD’S,' serves as the theological climax of the chapter. This confirms the universal principle that the essence of vitality and richness of life belongs solely to the Creator.

Verse 17

This verse concludes the regulations with a perpetual dietary restriction. Because blood contains the life (Lev 17:11) and the fat is reserved for the altar, neither could be consumed, reinforcing the sanctity of both life and the offering.

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