Leviticus 3:2

Leviticus 3:2 details a crucial step in the ritual of the peace offering (also known as the fellowship offering), a voluntary sacrifice made to God in ancient Israel. This verse describes the actions of the offerer and the priests at the sacred Tabernacle, emphasizing identification, sacrifice, and priestly mediation within the Old Covenant worship system.

Context

Chapter 3 of Leviticus outlines the regulations for the peace offering, distinct from the sin offering or burnt offering. This sacrifice was typically brought for reasons of thanksgiving, a fulfilled vow, or simply as a freewill offering to express communion and fellowship with God. Unlike offerings primarily for atonement, the peace offering allowed the offerer to partake of a portion of the meat after it was presented to God, signifying a meal shared in God's presence. Verse 2 specifically describes the initial actions: the offerer's symbolic act of laying hands on the animal, its slaughter at the sacred entrance, and the priests' essential role in handling the blood.

Key Themes

• Identification and Representation: The act of the offerer laying his hand upon the head of the animal (Hebrew: samakh yad, "to lean the hand upon") signified a deep identification with the sacrifice. It represented the transfer of the offerer's identity, and in some contexts, perhaps even their sins or intentions, onto the animal. This act underscored that the animal was a substitute, standing in the offerer's place before God.
• Sacrifice and Atonement: The killing of the animal and the sprinkling of its blood were central to nearly all Old Testament sacrifices. The shedding of blood was vital, as Leviticus 17:11 declares that "the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls." While the peace offering wasn't primarily for sin, the blood ritual affirmed the sanctity of life and the necessity of a blood sacrifice for access to God.
• Priestly Mediation: Aaron's sons, the priests, were indispensable in this process. Their role to "sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about" highlights their unique function as mediators between God and the people. Only they could handle the sacred blood and perform the rituals necessary for the offering to be acceptable to the Lord. This underscores the structured and divinely appointed system of worship.
• Holiness of God and Sacred Space: The entire ritual takes place "at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation," emphasizing the sanctity of the meeting place between God and His people. It was a holy act performed in a holy place, reinforcing God's transcendent holiness and the reverence due to Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "lay his hand upon the head of his offering" uses the Hebrew verb samakh (סמך), meaning to lean, support, or rest upon. This gesture was not merely a touch but often involved leaning one's full weight, signifying a complete identification and transfer of responsibility or guilt onto the animal. The "tabernacle of the congregation" is Ohel Mo'ed (אוהל מועד) in Hebrew, literally "tent of meeting," underscoring its purpose as the designated place where God met with His people.

Practical Application

While the peace offering rituals are no longer practiced, they offer profound spiritual lessons for believers today:

• Christ, Our Ultimate Peace Offering: The Old Testament sacrifices, including the peace offering, ultimately pointed to the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is our ultimate peace, reconciling us to God through His shed blood on the cross. His sacrifice provides true fellowship and communion with God.
• Identification with Christ: Just as the Israelite identified with the animal, believers are called to identify with Christ's death and resurrection. Through faith, His righteousness is imputed to us, and we are freed from the power of sin.
• Direct Access to God: Unlike the Old Covenant where priests mediated, Christ's sacrifice has opened a new and living way for us to approach God directly, with boldness and confidence, through prayer and worship.
• Worship and Thanksgiving: The peace offering was often an act of thanksgiving. We are called to approach God with hearts full of gratitude for His indescribable gift of salvation and the privilege of fellowship with Him.