Leviticus 3:7

KJV

If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

If he offer {H7126} a lamb {H3775} for his offering {H7133}, then shall he offer {H7126} it before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If he brings a lamb for his offering, then he is to present it before ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

If he is presenting a lamb for his offering, he must present it before the LORD.

American Standard Version

If he offer a lamb for his oblation, then shall he offer it before Jehovah;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 3:7 meticulously outlines the specific regulations for presenting a lamb as a peace offering (Hebrew: *zevach sh'lamim*) to the LORD. This verse, embedded within the broader instructions for this voluntary sacrifice, highlights the offerer's prerogative in selecting the animal and underscores the indispensable act of bringing it directly "before the LORD" at the Tabernacle. It profoundly emphasizes the sacred nature of worship, the offerer's personal engagement in communion, and the divine acceptance of a pure and appropriate sacrifice, thereby fostering a deep sense of fellowship between God and His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 3:7 is an integral component of the detailed instructions concerning the peace offering, which encompasses the entirety of [Leviticus 3](/leviticus/3 "Leviticus 3 - The Peace Offering"). The chapter systematically details the requirements based on the type of animal offered: beginning with cattle ([Leviticus 3:1-5](/leviticus/3-1-5 "Leviticus 3:1-5 - Peace Offering of Cattle")), then proceeding to smaller animals such as sheep ([Leviticus 3:6-11](/leviticus/3-6-11 "Leviticus 3:6-11 - Peace Offering of Sheep")) and goats ([Leviticus 3:12-16](/leviticus/3-12-16 "Leviticus 3:12-16 - Peace Offering of Goats")). Our specific verse, [Leviticus 3:7](/leviticus/3-7 "Leviticus 3:7 - Peace Offering of a Lamb"), initiates the instructions for a lamb, emphasizing its proper presentation. Distinct from the burnt offering, which was entirely consumed, or the sin and guilt offerings, which addressed specific transgressions, the peace offering uniquely allowed portions to be returned to the offerer and priests for a communal meal. This shared meal symbolized fellowship, gratitude, and the restoration of covenant peace. The verses immediately surrounding [Leviticus 3:7](/leviticus/3-7 "Leviticus 3:7 - Peace Offering of a Lamb") further elaborate on the precise butchering, the removal and burning of specific fat portions on the altar, and the dedication of the remaining parts, all ensuring the offering's purity and proper consecration to God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The elaborate sacrificial system of ancient Israel, meticulously outlined in the book of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws for Priests and Sacrifices"), served as the divinely ordained means by which a holy God could maintain His presence amidst a sinful people. The peace offering held a distinct place as a voluntary sacrifice, typically motivated by thanksgiving, the fulfillment of a vow, or as a freewill expression of devotion, rather than as a mandatory atonement for specific sins. This contrasts sharply with the compulsory sin and guilt offerings. The directive to offer "before the LORD" was paramount, signifying that the sacrifice was to be brought to the Tabernacle, the tangible manifestation of God's dwelling presence among His people. While animal sacrifice was a common religious practice across the ancient Near East, Israel's system was uniquely distinguished by its strict monotheism, its unwavering emphasis on holiness, and the profound communal dimension of the peace offering meal, which fostered a unique sense of covenant fellowship between God, the worshipper, and the community. The lamb, a ubiquitous domestic animal, was both accessible and universally recognized as a potent symbol of purity and innocence, making it a highly suitable and frequently chosen animal for such sacred offerings.
* **Key Themes:** The instructions in [Leviticus 3](/leviticus/3 "Leviticus 3 - The Peace Offering"), including [Leviticus 3:7](/leviticus/3-7 "Leviticus 3:7 - Peace Offering of a Lamb"), contribute significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Central among these is the theme of **Holiness**, emphasizing God's absolute purity and the corresponding requirement for His people to approach Him with reverence and ritual cleanness. The meticulous details of the offering underscore the seriousness of drawing near to a holy God. Another crucial theme is **Covenant Relationship and Fellowship**, as the peace offering, with its shared meal, uniquely symbolizes the restored and ongoing communion between God and His people, a relationship built on His grace and their obedience. This offering highlights the **Voluntary Nature of Worship**, distinguishing it from mandatory atonement sacrifices and emphasizing the offerer's free will and desire to express gratitude or fulfill a vow. Finally, the selection of an unblemished animal, such as the lamb, reinforces the theme of **Purity and Perfection** required in all offerings, foreshadowing the ultimate perfect sacrifice. These themes collectively illuminate the pathway for a sinful people to dwell in the presence of a holy God, as further elaborated in passages like [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy") and [Deuteronomy 12:7](/deuteronomy/12-7 "Deuteronomy 12:7 - Eating Before the LORD").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Offer (Hebrew, _qârab'_):** This verb (H7126, קָרַב) literally means "to approach," "to bring near," or "to present." In the context of sacrifice, it signifies an intentional act of drawing close to God through the presentation of an offering. It implies a deliberate desire for communion and highlights the worshipper's active initiation in approaching the divine presence. The offering is not merely given, but it is brought into the sacred space, facilitating proximity and intimate engagement with the LORD.
* **Lamb (Hebrew, _keseb'_):** The Hebrew term (H3775, כֶּשֶׂב) specifically refers to a young male sheep, typically one year old. As a common and readily available animal from Israelite flocks, the lamb was frequently used in various sacrificial rituals. Its selection for the peace offering underscores the accessibility of worship for all social strata and carries symbolic associations with innocence, purity, and vulnerability, making it a fitting and unblemished animal for presentation to a holy God.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This sacred name (H3068, יְהוָה) identifies the self-Existent, Eternal God of Israel, the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. The phrase "before the LORD" (which includes H6440, _pânîym_, meaning "face" or "presence") signifies that the act of worship is performed directly in God's sight, acknowledging His omnipresence, sovereignty, and personal engagement with His people. It emphasizes the profound sacredness and seriousness of the act, implying divine scrutiny, acceptance, and the establishment of true communion. The offering is consecrated to God alone, not for human display.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If he offer a lamb for his offering":** This initial clause establishes the conditional and voluntary nature of this particular peace offering. The use of "If" indicates that the worshipper has the personal choice to bring a lamb, distinguishing it from the cattle or goat options detailed elsewhere in the chapter. The phrase "for his offering" underscores that this is a personal act of devotion, initiated by an individual or family for a specific purpose—whether as an expression of thanksgiving, the fulfillment of a vow, or a freewill offering. It highlights the worshipper's personal initiative and desire to seek fellowship with God.
* **"then shall he offer it before the LORD."**: This second clause specifies the mandatory manner and sacred location for the offering once the choice of a lamb has been made. The directive "then shall he offer it" reiterates the action of bringing near, emphasizing the deliberate and reverent presentation. Crucially, "before the LORD" mandates that the live animal must be brought to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where the priests would facilitate the sacrificial process. This ensures that the offering is consecrated within the sacred space, directly acknowledging God as the ultimate recipient and validating the offering's acceptance by Him. It transforms a private intention into a public, sacred act within the covenant community, performed in the very presence of God.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 3:7 employs several significant literary devices to convey its theological message. The opening **Conditional Clause** ("If he offer...") immediately establishes the voluntary nature of the peace offering, setting it apart from mandatory sacrifices and highlighting the offerer's free will and personal desire to draw near to God. The **Repetition** of the verb "offer" (from the Hebrew root *qarab*) emphatically reinforces the central action of drawing near and presenting the sacrifice, underscoring the intentionality, directness, and active participation required from the worshipper. The phrase "**before the LORD**" functions as a powerful **Metonymy**, where the physical location (the Tabernacle's altar, the place of God's manifest presence) stands in for the divine presence and authority itself. It is not merely a geographical indicator but a profound theological statement about the direct communion with God that the offering facilitates. This phrase also serves as a crucial **Theological Marker**, emphasizing the sacredness of the act, the ultimate divine recipient of the worship, and the necessity of approaching God in a designated, holy manner.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 3:7, situated within the broader context of the peace offering, profoundly illustrates the timeless theological themes of voluntary worship, the earnest pursuit of fellowship with God, and the absolute necessity of purity in approaching the divine. The deliberate choice of a lamb, a common yet pure animal, signifies the accessibility of worship for all Israelites, while the stringent requirement to offer it "before the LORD" underscores the direct, personal, and reverent nature of communion with a holy God. This unique offering, which culminates in a shared meal between God (through the burnt fat), the priests, and the offerer, establishes a powerful pattern of grace, reconciliation, and communion. It prefigures the ultimate and perfect reconciliation and fellowship made possible through a greater sacrifice, establishing a pattern of divine-human relationship that finds its ultimate fulfillment beyond the Old Covenant.

* [Exodus 29:42](/exodus/29-42 "Exodus 29:42 - The Daily Burnt Offering") - Establishes the Tabernacle as the designated meeting place where the LORD would consistently meet and speak with the Israelites.
* [Psalm 54:6](/psalms/54-6 "Psalm 54:6 - A Freewill Offering of Praise") - Expresses the heart of one who offers a freewill offering of praise and thanksgiving, beautifully reflecting the voluntary and grateful spirit inherent in the peace offering.
* [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Bold Access to God through Christ") - Describes how believers now possess bold and unhindered access to God's very presence through the new and living way inaugurated by Christ, fulfilling the "drawing near" aspect of the Old Testament offerings.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed instructions for the peace offering in Leviticus 3:7, particularly the presentation of a lamb "before the LORD," invite us to engage in profound reflection on the nature of our own worship and the quality of our relationship with God. While the era of animal sacrifices has passed, the underlying principles remain eternally relevant. We are prompted to consider: Do we approach God with a truly voluntary heart, motivated by genuine gratitude, fervent love, and an earnest desire for authentic fellowship, rather than by mere religious obligation or a sense of duty? The purity of the lamb serves as a powerful reminder of the call to holiness and integrity in our daily lives, urging us to ensure that our "offering" of ourselves—our time, talents, and very being—is unblemished by unconfessed sin, divided loyalties, or spiritual apathy. Presenting the offering "before the LORD" signifies that our worship, our service, and indeed our entire lives are lived consciously in His sight, for His glory, and in confident expectation of His manifest presence. This prompts us to cultivate intentionality, reverence, and a profound sense of awe in our personal spiritual disciplines and communal worship, always seeking true, transformative communion rather than merely performing ritualistic acts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what tangible ways do I "offer" myself to the LORD today, and is this offering genuinely voluntary, flowing from a heart of profound gratitude and love?**
* **How does the concept of intentionally presenting something "before the LORD" reshape my understanding and practice of personal devotion and corporate worship?**
* **What "blemishes"—such as unconfessed sin, spiritual complacency, or worldly distractions—might be hindering my deeper fellowship with God, and how can I actively pursue purity to draw nearer to Him?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary purpose of the peace offering in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The peace offering (Hebrew: *zevach sh'lamim*) was primarily a voluntary sacrifice offered to express profound thanksgiving, fulfill a specific vow, or as a freewill offering of devotion. Unlike the mandatory sin or guilt offerings, its purpose was not atonement for specific transgressions, but rather a means to celebrate and cultivate fellowship, communion, and peace with God. A distinctive and unique aspect of this offering was the communal meal that followed, where portions of the sacrifice were shared by the offerer, the priests, and sometimes the community, powerfully symbolizing restored relationship and peace with God. This comprehensive understanding is detailed throughout [Leviticus 3](/leviticus/3 "Leviticus 3 - The Peace Offering").

**Why was a lamb a common choice for offerings?**

Answer: Lambs were both common and readily accessible animals within ancient Israelite society, making them a practical and economical choice for various sacrifices. Theologically, lambs were deeply associated with purity, innocence, and vulnerability, rendering them highly suitable symbols for offerings presented to a holy God. Their widespread availability also ensured that the majority of Israelites, regardless of their economic standing, could participate meaningfully in the sacrificial system, as evidenced by their inclusion in numerous regulations, such as the instructions for the Passover lamb in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 3:7, with its profound emphasis on offering a pure lamb "before the LORD" as an act of fellowship and communion, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose perfect life of obedience and atoning death on the cross constitute the supreme and eternal peace offering. Unlike the temporary and repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant, which could only cover sins, Christ's singular, spotless sacrifice permanently purifies and takes away the sin of the world ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). Through His perfect offering, believers are not merely brought near to God, but are fully reconciled, brought into an eternal covenant of peace, and granted unhindered access to God's presence ([Ephesians 2:14-18](/ephesians/2-14-18 "Ephesians 2:14-18 - Christ Our Peace and Access to God")). The communal meal aspect of the Old Testament peace offering is beautifully echoed and transformed in the Lord's Supper, where believers partake in remembrance of Christ's broken body and shed blood, symbolizing our ongoing communion with Him and with one another—a profound fellowship made eternally possible by the Lamb who was slain for our peace ([1 Corinthians 10:16-17](/1_corinthians/10-16-17 "1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - Participation in the Lord's Supper")). Thus, Jesus stands as the perfect Lamb, the perfect offering, and the very source of our true, lasting, and eternal peace "before the LORD."

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

1 Kings 8:62

¶ And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD.

Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Leviticus 17:8

And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man [there be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice,

Leviticus 17:9

And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.

Leviticus 3:1

¶ And if his oblation [be] a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer [it] of the herd; whether [it be] a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.

Ephesians 5:12

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?