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
“If one’s offering is a peace offering and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present it without blemish before the LORD. ​
2
He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar. ​
3
From the peace offering he is to bring an offering made by fire to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them, ​
4
both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
5
Then Aaron’s sons are to burn it on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. ​

Peace Offering from the Flock (Lamb)

6
If, however, one’s peace offering to the LORD is from the flock, he must present a male or female without blemish. ​
7
If he is presenting a lamb for his offering, he must present it before the LORD.
8
He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood on all sides of the altar.
9
And from the peace offering he shall bring an offering made by fire to the LORD consisting of its fat: the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them, ​
10
both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
11
Then the priest is to burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire to the LORD. ​

Peace Offering from the Flock (Goat)

12
If one’s offering is a goat, he is to present it before the LORD.
13
He must lay his hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood on all sides of the altar.
14
And from his offering he shall present an offering made by fire to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them,
15
both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
16
Then the priest is to burn the food on the altar as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD’s. ​

Prohibition Against Eating Fat and Blood

17
This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any 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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