Leviticus 10:15

KJV

The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave [it for] a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.

KJV (with Strong's)

The heave {H8641} shoulder {H7785} and the wave {H8573} breast {H2373} shall they bring {H935} with the offerings made by fire {H801} of the fat {H2459}, to wave {H5130} it for a wave offering {H8573} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}; and it shall be thine, and thy sons {H1121}' with thee, by a statute {H2706} for ever {H5769}; as the LORD {H3068} hath commanded {H6680}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They are to bring the raised thigh and the waved breast, along with the offerings of fat made by fire, and wave it as a wave offering before ADONAI; then it will belong to you and your descendants with you as your perpetual share, as ADONAI has ordered."

Berean Standard Bible

They are to bring the thigh of the contribution and the breast of the wave offering, together with the fat portions of the offerings made by fire, to wave as a wave offering before the LORD. It will belong permanently to you and your children, as the LORD has commanded.”

American Standard Version

The heave-thigh and the wave-breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave-offering before Jehovah: and it shall be thine, and thy sons’ with thee, as a portion for ever; as Jehovah hath commanded.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 10:15 details the enduring divine provision for the Aaronic priesthood, stipulating that the "heave shoulder" and "wave breast" from the peace offerings are to be perpetually designated for Aaron and his sons. This instruction, delivered in the immediate aftermath of the tragic deaths of Nadab and Abihu, underscores God's meticulous care for His consecrated ministers and the unwavering nature of His covenantal provisions, ensuring the priests' sustenance as they faithfully carried out their sacred duties in the tabernacle.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a profoundly significant and somber narrative in Leviticus. It immediately follows the catastrophic judgment upon Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, who were consumed by divine fire for offering "strange fire" before the Lord, as recounted in [Leviticus 10:1-7](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-7 - The Strange Fire of Nadab and Abihu"). This severe act of judgment served as an indelible lesson on God's absolute holiness and the critical necessity of strict adherence to His prescribed worship. Following this, Moses delivers further instructions concerning priestly conduct, including prohibitions against mourning and the consumption of wine, alongside an emphatic distinction between the holy and the common, and the clean and the unclean ([Leviticus 10:8-11](/leviticus/10-8 "Leviticus 10:8-11 - Priestly Conduct and Distinctions")). Leviticus 10:12-15 then transitions to a reaffirmation of the priests' portions from various offerings, reinforcing their divine sustenance even in the wake of such a profound display of God's holiness and judgment. Thus, Leviticus 10:15 stands as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in providing for His servants, ensuring their continued ability to perform sacred duties amidst the consequences of disobedience and the demands of a holy calling.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the Levitical priests, specifically the descendants of Aaron, were uniquely set apart for sacred service to the Lord. Crucially, unlike the other tribes, they received no tribal land inheritance in Canaan ([Numbers 18:20-24](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20-24 - The Priests' Inheritance")). Their entire livelihood and sustenance were divinely ordained to come from the offerings brought by the people to the Tabernacle. This unique economic arrangement ensured that the priests could devote themselves entirely to their spiritual responsibilities, unburdened by agricultural labor or land management. The "heave shoulder" and "wave breast" were specific, choice portions of the peace offering (also known as the fellowship offering), which was distinct in that it allowed the worshiper, the priest, and God to share in the sacrifice, symbolizing communion and fellowship ([Leviticus 7:28-36](/leviticus/7-28 "Leviticus 7:28-36 - Regulations for the Peace Offering")). The rituals of "waving" and "heaving" were profound symbolic acts of presentation to God, signifying His ultimate ownership of all things, followed by His gracious return of a consecrated portion to His appointed servants. This perpetual statute underscored God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with the priesthood and His detailed provision for their livelihood, ensuring the continuity of their sacred function.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 10:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Provision**, demonstrating God's faithful commitment to sustaining those He has called to sacred service, particularly the Aaronic priesthood who were denied a land inheritance. This provision is intertwined with the theme of **Holiness and Consecration**, as the portions given to the priests were made holy through their presentation to the Lord, emphasizing the sacredness of their office and the offerings they handled. The verse also reinforces the theme of **Obedience and Order**, as the specific instructions for handling these portions highlight the meticulous nature of God's commands for worship and the necessity of adhering to His divine order, especially in light of the preceding judgment on Nadab and Abihu. Finally, the phrase "a statute for ever" underscores the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, revealing God's enduring commitment to His covenant with Israel and His appointed mediators, ensuring the perpetuation of the sacrificial system and the priestly ministry for generations. These themes are foundational to understanding God's character and His relationship with His people, as seen throughout the Mosaic Law, such as in [Exodus 29](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - Consecration of Priests") and [Numbers 18](/numbers/18 "Numbers 18 - Duties and Support of Priests").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heave Offering (Hebrew, _tᵉrûwmâh'_):** From H8641, this term refers to a present or offering that is "offered up," especially in sacrifice or as tribute. It is specifically associated with the "shoulder" in this context. The underlying root implies an action of lifting or elevating, symbolizing the dedication and presentation of a portion to the Lord. In Leviticus 10:15, it signifies a divinely designated portion of the sacrifice that is set apart for the priests, representing God's allocation for their sustenance.
* **Wave Offering (Hebrew, _tᵉnûwphâh'_):** From H8573, this term denotes an "official undulation of sacrificial offerings." Derived from a root meaning "to quiver" or "vibrate up and down," it describes the ritual act of moving the offering back and forth before the altar. This symbolic action signifies presentation to God, acknowledging His ownership, and then receiving it back from Him as a consecrated gift. Here, it specifically refers to the breast portion, emphasizing its sacred designation for the priests through this ritual.
* **Statute (Hebrew, _chôq'_):** From H2706, this word signifies an "enactment" or "ordinance," implying a fixed appointment or decree. The phrase "a statute for ever" (with H5769, _ʻôwlâm_) emphasizes the permanent, unchangeable, and binding nature of this divine command. It highlights that the provision for the priesthood was not a temporary arrangement but an enduring and perpetual law within the Mosaic covenant, underscoring God's reliability and the immutability of His decrees.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat":** This clause precisely identifies the specific portions of the peace offering—the right thigh (heave shoulder) and the breast (wave breast)—that are to be presented. It further clarifies that these portions are brought *alongside* the fat of the animal, which was always consumed by fire upon the altar as the Lord's supreme portion, symbolizing the best and richest part dedicated exclusively to Him. This highlights the intricate and integrated nature of the sacrificial system, where different parts served distinct purposes, all meticulously ordered by God.
* **"to wave [it for] a wave offering before the LORD":** This phrase specifies the ritual action and its sacred purpose. The "waving" of these designated portions before the Lord was a profound symbolic act of presentation and dedication, acknowledging God's ultimate ownership and sovereign claim over the entire sacrifice. This ritual act consecrated these specific parts, making them holy and acceptable for their intended use by the priests. It underscored the sacredness of the transaction and the mediatorial role of the priests in facilitating offerings to God.
* **"and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever":** This declarative statement formally allocates these specific portions—the heave shoulder and wave breast—to Aaron (the high priest) and his male descendants. The crucial phrase "by a statute for ever" emphatically conveys the enduring and unchanging nature of this divine decree. It provides an assurance to the priesthood of a consistent and reliable source of sustenance, directly from God's provision, for all successive generations, thereby highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant and His unwavering care for those consecrated to His service.
* **"as the LORD hath commanded":** This concluding authoritative phrase serves as a powerful affirmation, reiterating that these detailed instructions are not human innovations but direct, explicit divine mandates. It unequivocally underscores the ultimate source of the law and the absolute necessity of obedience to God's precise commands. This reinforces the sanctity, authority, and non-negotiable nature of the entire sacrificial system and the provisions embedded within it, emphasizing that all aspects of worship must align with God's revealed will.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 10:15 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its precise and authoritative message. **Repetition** is subtly used, particularly with the recurrence of "wave offering" and the implicit reiteration of the enduring nature through "statute for ever," which reinforces the permanence and critical importance of the command. The specific naming of "heave shoulder" and "wave breast" functions as a form of **metonymy**, where these particular cuts of meat represent the broader concept of divine provision for the priesthood and the intricate workings of the sacrificial system. The actions of "waving" and "heaving" are highly **symbolic**, representing the solemn act of presenting the offering to God and His subsequent gracious return of a consecrated portion to His servants, thereby signifying divine ownership, gracious provision, and the sacred exchange between God and His people through the priests. The entire verse is structured as a **legal pronouncement**, characterized by its precise, prescriptive, and declarative language ("shall they bring," "it shall be thine," "as the LORD hath commanded"), which is characteristic of covenantal law and divine decrees, emphasizing the non-negotiable and binding nature of God's instructions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 10:15 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care for His appointed servants and the sanctity of His established order. It reveals a God who not only demands absolute holiness and strict obedience in worship but also faithfully and perpetually provides for those who minister to Him. The enduring nature of this provision, designated "a statute for ever," underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with the priesthood, ensuring their sustenance so they could dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties without worldly distractions. This divine provision served as a tangible sign of God's constant presence and His faithfulness to His people through their consecrated leaders, emphasizing that true, consecrated service to God is always met with His sustaining grace and unwavering commitment.

* [Numbers 18:8](/numbers/18-8 "Numbers 18:8 - God's Provision for the Priests")
* [Deuteronomy 18:1-5](/deuteronomy/18-1-5 "Deuteronomy 18:1-5 - The Priests' Inheritance and Portions")
* [1 Corinthians 9:13-14](/1_corinthians/9-13-14 "1 Corinthians 9:13-14 - Support for Gospel Workers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 10:15, though deeply rooted in the ancient Levitical system, offers profound and enduring principles for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to provide for those who serve Him, whether in full-time vocational ministry or in their daily vocations as they live out their faith as part of the "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - The Royal Priesthood")). Just as the Old Testament priests were divinely sustained to perform their sacred duties, so too are believers equipped and sustained by God's grace for their spiritual responsibilities in the present age. This verse also profoundly highlights the enduring importance of order, reverence, and meticulous obedience in our approach to God and our service to Him. Our worship and service should always be offered with intentionality, humility, and profound respect for God's established principles, recognizing His absolute holiness and His worthiness of our very best. Furthermore, it encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereign provision in all areas of our lives, knowing that He is utterly committed to sustaining those who faithfully carry out His will and live in accordance with His divine commands, demonstrating His steadfast love and care for His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous and perpetual provision for the priests in Leviticus 10:15 deepen your understanding of His care for you in your own service or vocation today?**
* **What does the phrase "a statute for ever" imply about the immutability of God's character and promises, and how can this truth strengthen your trust in His faithfulness?**
* **In what practical ways can you apply the principles of order, reverence, and obedience, as exemplified in the priestly regulations, to your personal worship, daily life, and service within your community of faith?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the "heave shoulder" and "wave breast" being given to the priests?**

Answer: The "heave shoulder" and "wave breast" were specific, choice portions of the peace (or fellowship) offering that were divinely designated as the priests' share. Their significance was multifaceted:
1. **Divine Provision:** As the Levitical priests had no tribal land inheritance in Canaan, these portions, along with other offerings, constituted their primary and divinely ordained means of sustenance. This arrangement powerfully demonstrated God's direct, faithful, and perpetual provision for those consecrated to His service, ensuring they could devote themselves fully to their sacred duties ([Numbers 18:8-14](/numbers/18-8-14 "Numbers 18:8-14 - Priests' Share of Offerings")).
2. **Symbolic Rituals:** The "heaving" (lifting up) and "waving" (swinging back and forth) were profound ritual actions. They symbolized the presentation of the offering to the Lord, acknowledging His ultimate ownership and sovereignty over all things, followed by His gracious return of a consecrated portion to His servants. This ritual affirmed both God's ownership and His generosity.
3. **Holiness and Consecration:** By being presented to the Lord through these sacred rituals and then given to the priests, these portions became holy. They were to be eaten in a holy place by the priests and their families, reinforcing the sanctity of their office and their unique role as mediators between God and the people. This perpetual allocation was a "statute for ever," indicating its permanent and foundational importance within the Mosaic covenant and the divine order of worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 10:15, with its detailed provisions for the sustenance of the Old Testament priesthood, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "heave shoulder" and "wave breast" symbolized God's faithful provision for His chosen mediators, but Christ Himself is the ultimate, perfect, and eternally sufficient High Priest, who mediates a new and far superior covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). He is not sustained by the perishable animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant, but rather He is the very [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose once-for-all sacrifice provides eternal redemption and access to God ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). In Christ, the need for a Levitical priesthood to receive physical portions from offerings is superseded because believers are now a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - The Royal Priesthood")), sustained not by physical food from an earthly altar, but by the spiritual nourishment of Christ Himself, who declared, "[I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")". The "statute for ever" in Leviticus 10:15 powerfully foreshadows the eternal nature of Christ's priesthood and His unending, inexhaustible provision for His people, not merely for physical sustenance but for spiritual life, eternal communion with God, and the very life of God through His body and blood ([John 6:53-56](/john/6-53-56 "John 6:53-56 - Eating Christ's Flesh and Drinking His Blood")). He is the true and perpetual provision for all who believe, ensuring their eternal sustenance and direct access to the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 7:34

For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.

Genesis 17:8

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Genesis 17:13

He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Genesis 17:17

Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall [a child] be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

Genesis 13:15

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

1 Corinthians 9:13

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

1 Corinthians 9:14

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.