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.

The Peace Offering from the Herd (Cattle)

1
"'If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings, then, if he offers before ADONAI an animal from the herd, then, no matter whether it is male or female, it must be without defect. ​
2
He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the tent of meeting; and the sons of Aharon, the cohanim, are to splash the blood against all sides of the altar. ​
3
He is to present the sacrifice of the peace offerings as an offering made by fire to ADONAI; it is to consist of the fat covering the inner organs, all the fat above the inner organs, ​
4
the two kidneys, the fat on them near the flanks, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys.
5
Aharon's sons will make it go up in smoke on the altar on top of the burnt offering which is on the wood on the fire; it is an offering made by fire, a fragrant aroma for ADONAI. ​

Peace Offering from the Flock (Lamb)

6
"'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. ​
7
If he brings a lamb for his offering, then he is to present it before ADONAI.
8
He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and the sons of Aharon are to splash its blood against all sides of the altar.
9
From the sacrifices made as peace offerings, he is to present ADONAI with an offering made by fire; it is to consist of its fat, the entire fat tail, which he will remove close to the lower backbone, the fat covering the inner organs, all the fat above the inner organs, ​
10
the two kidneys, the fat on them near the flanks, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys.
11
The cohen will make it go up in smoke on the altar; it is food, an offering made by fire to ADONAI. ​

Peace Offering from the Flock (Goat)

12
"'If his offering is a goat, then he is to present it before ADONAI.
13
He is to lay his hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the tent of meeting, and the sons of Aharon are to splash its blood against all sides of the altar.
14
He is to present from it his offering, an offering made by fire to ADONAI ; it is to consist of the fat covering the inner organs, all the fat above the inner organs,
15
the two kidneys, the fat on them near the flanks, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys.
16
The cohen will make them go up in smoke on the altar; it is food, an offering made by fire to be a fragrant aroma; all the fat belongs to ADONAI. ​

Prohibition Against Eating Fat and Blood

17
It is to be a permanent regulation through all your generations wherever you live that you will 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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