Leviticus 3:13

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.

And he shall lay {H5564} his hand {H3027} upon the head {H7218} of it, and kill {H7819} it before {H6440} the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}: and the sons {H1121} of Aaron {H175} shall sprinkle {H2236} the blood {H1818} thereof upon the altar {H4196} round about {H5439}.

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.

He must lay his hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaronโ€™s sons shall sprinkle its blood on all sides of the altar.

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.

Commentary

Context of the Peace Offering

Leviticus chapter 3 details the regulations for the Peace Offering (also known as the Fellowship Offering or Thank Offering), a voluntary sacrifice distinct from sin or burnt offerings. While sin offerings focused on atonement for specific transgressions, and burnt offerings on complete dedication, the peace offering was primarily an expression of thanksgiving, a fulfillment of a vow, or a general act of communion with God. This particular verse, Leviticus 3:13, describes the specific procedure for offering a goat or a lamb, following the general instructions for cattle.

Understanding Leviticus 3:13

This verse outlines critical steps in the ritual of the peace offering:

  • "And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it": This symbolic act signifies identification between the worshipper and the animal sacrifice. In the context of a peace offering, it represents the worshipper's dedication of the animal to God, acknowledging that the offering is from them and for their fellowship with the Divine. It's a personal connection to the sacrifice, similar to the practice seen in other offerings, such as the sin offering where it symbolized the transfer of sin (Leviticus 4:4).
  • "and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation": The act of killing the animal was performed by the worshipper, not the priest, at the entrance of the tabernacle of the congregation. This location, central to Israelite worship, underscored the sacredness and public nature of the offering. The precise location for the slaughter highlighted the importance of approaching God on His terms, in the designated holy place.
  • "and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about": After the animal was slain, the priests, specifically the sons of Aaron, took charge of the blood. The act of sprinkling blood upon the brazen altar was a vital part of nearly all sacrifices. Blood, representing life (Leviticus 17:11), was consecrated to God, signifying purification and the making of atonement. Even in a peace offering, the proper handling of blood underscored the sanctity of life and the divine requirement for reconciliation through sacrifice.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Identification and Representation: The laying on of hands signifies a deep personal connection between the offerer and their sacrifice, representing their intent and dedication to God.
  • Sacredness of Worship: The specific location "before the tabernacle of the congregation" emphasizes that worship is not casual but requires reverence and adherence to divine instruction. The tabernacle was God's dwelling place among His people (Exodus 25:8), making it the focal point for all sacred rituals.
  • Priestly Mediation: The role of the "sons of Aaron" in handling the blood highlights the indispensable function of the priesthood in mediating between God and man, ensuring the proper performance of holy rites.
  • The Significance of Blood: The consistent emphasis on the blood and its application to the altar across various offerings points to the foundational biblical truth that "without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). Even in an offering of peace, the lifeblood consecrated to God was essential for acceptance.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "tabernacle of the congregation" translates the Hebrew 'ohel mo'ed (ืึนื”ึถืœ ืžื•ึนืขึตื“), which literally means "tent of meeting." This emphasizes that the tabernacle was the designated place where God met with His people, a crucial concept for understanding the purpose and location of these sacrificial rituals.

Practical Application

While ancient Israelite sacrificial laws are no longer practiced by Christians due to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, they offer profound spiritual lessons. This verse reminds us of:

  • Personal Identification with Christ's Sacrifice: Just as the worshipper identified with the animal, believers are called to identify with Christ's perfect and complete sacrifice on the cross. His blood cleanses and makes peace possible with God (Colossians 1:20).
  • Reverence in Worship: The precision of the Old Testament rituals underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence, intentionality, and according to His revealed will.
  • The Value of Fellowship and Thanksgiving: The peace offering, in which parts of the sacrifice were eaten by the worshipper in a communal meal, foreshadows the spiritual fellowship believers now enjoy with God and one another through Christ, often celebrated through communion. It encourages a life of thanksgiving and joyful communion with our Creator.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 3:8

    And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar.

  • Isaiah 53:6

    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

  • 1 Peter 1:2

    Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

  • Romans 5:6

    ยถ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

  • Romans 5:11

    And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
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