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Leviticus 10:15

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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.

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}.

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."

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.”

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

Leviticus 10:15 provides specific instructions regarding the portions of sacrifices designated for the priests, following the tragic incident of Nadab and Abihu. This verse details the "heave shoulder" and "wave breast" from the peace offering, affirming their perpetual allocation to Aaron and his sons as part of their divine provision.

Context

This verse follows a highly significant and somber event in Leviticus 10:1-7, where Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, were consumed by fire for offering "strange fire" before the LORD. In the immediate aftermath, Moses reaffirms the strict protocols for priestly conduct and offerings. This particular verse, along with others in the chapter, reinforces the regulations concerning the priests' sustenance, which was crucial since they had no tribal land inheritance. The provisions for the priests, such as the wave breast and heave shoulder, were established earlier in the Mosaic Law, particularly in the details of the peace offering (Leviticus 7:28-36).

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision for Priesthood: God meticulously provided for the needs of the priests, ensuring they could dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties without concern for material sustenance. This demonstrated God's care for those who served Him.
  • Holiness and Separation: The precise regulations for offerings underscored the holiness of God and the need for order and adherence in worship. Even the distribution of sacrificial portions was part of this divine order.
  • Perpetual Statute: The phrase "a statute for ever" emphasizes the enduring nature of this command, signifying God's unchanging commitment to His covenant and His appointed servants. These provisions were not temporary but a permanent part of the Mosaic covenant.
  • Symbolism of Offerings: The "wave offering" (tenuphah in Hebrew) involved the priest moving the offering back and forth before the altar, symbolizing its presentation to God and then its reception back as a gift from Him. The "heave offering" (terumah) involved lifting the offering up, signifying its elevation to God. These actions consecrated the portions for divine use and then for the priests' sustenance.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "heave shoulder" (Hebrew: shōq hat-terûmāh) and "wave breast" (Hebrew: ḥāzeh hat-tenûphāh) refer to specific parts of the animal sacrifice. The Hebrew root for "heave offering" (terumah) implies a lifting up or setting apart, while "wave offering" (tenuphah) suggests a swinging or presenting motion. These actions were not arbitrary but were deeply symbolic rituals affirming God's ownership of all things and His generous provision for His servants. The fat, which was burnt, was considered the best part and was offered to the LORD, signifying His supremacy.

Practical Application

While the specific rituals of the Old Testament priesthood are no longer practiced today due to the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the principles embedded in Leviticus 10:15 remain relevant. It teaches us about God's faithfulness in providing for those who serve Him, whether in full-time ministry or in their daily vocations. It highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the sacredness of our service to Him. Furthermore, it reminds believers, who are now a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), of God's desire for an orderly and reverent approach to worship and service, and His commitment to sustaining those who faithfully carry out His will. Just as the priests were sustained to serve, so too are believers equipped and sustained by God's grace for their spiritual duties.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 7:34 (7 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Corinthians 9:13 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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