Leviticus 3:9

KJV

And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat thereof, [and] the whole rump, it shall he take off hard by the backbone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that [is] upon the inwards,

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall offer {H7126} of the sacrifice {H2077} of the peace offering {H8002} an offering made by fire {H801} unto the LORD {H3068}; the fat {H2459} thereof, and the whole {H8549} rump {H451}, it shall he take off {H5493} hard {H5980} by the backbone {H6096}; and the fat {H2459} that covereth {H3680} the inwards {H7130}, and all the fat {H2459} that is upon the inwards {H7130},

Complete Jewish Bible

From the sacrifices made as peace offerings, he is to present ADONAI with an offering made by fire; it is to consist of its fat, the entire fat tail, which he will remove close to the lower backbone, the fat covering the inner organs, all the fat above the inner organs,

Berean Standard Bible

And from the peace offering he shall bring an offering made by fire to the LORD consisting of its fat: the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them,

American Standard Version

And he shall offer of the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; the fat thereof, the fat tail entire, he shall take away hard by the backbone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 3:9 meticulously details the specific portions of a sheep from the peace offering that are to be presented to the LORD as an offering made by fire. This verse mandates the removal and offering of the choicest fat, including the entire fat tail (rump) and all the fat covering the internal organs, emphasizing God's rightful claim to the best and the sacred nature of His designated portion in the sacrificial system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 3 is exclusively dedicated to the regulations for the peace offering (Hebrew: _shelamim_), following the instructions for the burnt offering in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering") and the grain offering in [Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering"). Unlike the burnt offering, which was entirely consumed by fire as an atonement, or the grain offering, which was a tribute, the peace offering uniquely involved a shared meal: a portion for the LORD (consumed by fire), a portion for the priests, and a portion for the worshipper. This communal aspect symbolized fellowship and reconciliation. Within chapter 3, verse 9 specifically outlines the requirements when the offering is a sheep, paralleling earlier directives for cattle in [Leviticus 3:3-4](/leviticus/3-3-4 "Leviticus 3:3-4 - Peace Offering from Cattle") and preceding those for goats in [Leviticus 3:14-15](/leviticus/3-14-15 "Leviticus 3:14-15 - Peace Offering from Goats"). The consistent emphasis across all animal types on the fat as the LORD's exclusive portion highlights its profound theological significance throughout the sacrificial laws.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Leviticus was delivered to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, shortly after their liberation from Egyptian bondage, as God established His covenant and provided the foundational laws for their worship and communal life. The sacrificial system was the cornerstone of Israelite religious practice, serving as the primary means of approaching a holy God, expressing devotion, and addressing sin. The peace offering, derived from the Hebrew root _shalom_ (meaning peace, wholeness, or well-being), was distinct in its purpose, often offered as an expression of thanksgiving, the fulfillment of a vow, or a freewill offering, signifying a state of harmonious relationship between God and His people. In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, the fat of an animal was universally regarded as the most valuable, richest, and most desirable part, frequently reserved for deities or honored guests. By mandating that the choicest fat, including the prominent fat tail (rump) of certain sheep breeds, be exclusively offered to the LORD, God unequivocally asserted His supreme holiness, His ownership over all creation, and His right to receive the absolute best from His covenant people, thereby distinguishing Israel's worship practices from those of surrounding nations and reinforcing His unique covenant with them.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 3:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Holiness and Separation**, as God's demand for the choicest fat underscores His absolute purity and the necessity for His people to approach Him with reverence and distinction, setting apart what is sacred for Him alone. This verse also powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Ownership and Sovereignty**, reminding the worshipper that all things, especially the best, ultimately belong to God. The act of offering the fat signifies a recognition of God's supreme authority and provision. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Giving the Best**, teaching that true worship involves offering not merely what is convenient or leftover, but the most valuable and internal parts, symbolizing a complete dedication of heart and substance to the Lord, a principle echoed in [Proverbs 3:9](/proverbs/3-9 "Proverbs 3:9 - Honor the Lord with your wealth"). Finally, the peace offering itself, and this verse's contribution to it, highlights the theme of **Fellowship and Communion**, as the shared meal aspect of the offering fostered a sense of peace and intimacy between God, the priests, and the worshipper, a foreshadowing of the deeper communion available through Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sacrifice (Hebrew, _zebach'_):** Properly, a slaughter, referring to the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act). In this context, it refers to the animal slaughtered for the peace offering.
* **Fat (Hebrew, _cheleb'_):** From an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part. This term specifically denotes the internal, suet-like fat (omentum, kidney fat, etc.) which was considered the most valuable and was explicitly reserved for God, symbolizing the "best" or "finest" portion.
* **Rump (Hebrew, _ʼalyâh'_):** From _ʼâlâh_ (in the original sense of strength); the stout part, specifically referring to the fat tail of the Oriental sheep. This large, fatty tail was a significant and valuable part of certain sheep breeds, further emphasizing the giving of the choicest portion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD;":** This introductory clause establishes the specific context of the offering as a "peace offering" (_shelamim_), a voluntary sacrifice signifying fellowship and well-being. The phrase "an offering made by fire unto the LORD" (_ishshâh_) emphasizes that the designated portions are to be consumed by fire on the altar, signifying their ascent to God and their acceptance by Him as a pleasing aroma.
* **"the fat thereof, [and] the whole rump, it shall he take off hard by the backbone;":** This specifies the first set of components to be offered from a sheep: "the fat thereof" (referring to the internal fat, _cheleb_) and "the whole rump" (_ʼalyâh_), which is the large, fatty tail characteristic of certain sheep breeds in the ancient Near East. The instruction to "take off hard by the backbone" (_çûwr 'ummâh 'âtseh_) indicates a precise and thorough removal, ensuring that all the choicest, most valuable fat associated with these parts is meticulously separated and included in the offering to the LORD, leaving no ambiguity about what belongs to Him.
* **"and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that [is] upon the inwards,":** This clause further elaborates on the "fat thereof," providing additional specific details. It mandates the removal of "the fat that covereth the inwards" (_cheleb kâçâh qereb_) and "all the fat that is upon the inwards" (_cheleb 'al qereb_). This refers to the omental fat, the fat covering the intestines, kidneys, and liver. The repetition and detailed specification underscore the comprehensive nature of the command: every internal, suet-like fat deposit, considered the richest and most vital part of the animal, must be meticulously removed and offered to God, reinforcing the principle that the most valuable portions are exclusively reserved for Him.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 3:9 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Repetition** of the word "fat" (Hebrew _chelev_) throughout the verse and the chapter (e.g., [Leviticus 3:3-4](/leviticus/3-3-4 "Leviticus 3:3-4 - Peace Offering from Cattle"), [Leviticus 3:14-15](/leviticus/3-14-15 "Leviticus 3:14-15 - Peace Offering from Goats")) serves to underscore its paramount significance and the meticulousness required in its removal and offering. This emphasis highlights the divine claim over the choicest parts of the sacrifice. **Metonymy** is evident where "fat" stands for the "best," "richest," or "most valuable" part, symbolizing the worshipper's offering of their choicest possessions, efforts, or even their very self to God. The detailed, almost surgical, instructions for removing the fat and the rump also serve as a form of **Precision**, highlighting the sacredness and strictness of God's commands regarding worship. This meticulousness leaves no room for ambiguity or casualness in approaching His holiness, thereby emphasizing the profound reverence due to the LORD and the seriousness of covenantal obligations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 3:9 powerfully articulates the principle of divine ownership and the imperative to offer God our very best. By reserving the choicest fat—the richest, most internal, and most valuable portion—for Himself, God asserts His absolute supremacy and holiness. This command teaches Israel, and by extension believers today, that true worship involves giving not merely leftovers or what is convenient, but the most valuable and internal parts of our lives, symbolizing a complete dedication of heart and substance. This act of offering the "fat" also underscores the sacredness of what belongs to God, setting it apart from common use and reinforcing the covenant relationship built on His exclusive claim and the worshipper's complete devotion and gratitude for the peace and fellowship He provides.

* [Proverbs 3:9](/proverbs/3-9 "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce")
* [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal offering of animal fat is no longer a practice for believers under the New Covenant, the underlying spiritual principles of Leviticus 3:9 remain profoundly relevant and transformative for contemporary Christian living. This verse challenges us to deeply examine what "fat" or "choicest portion" we are offering to God in our lives today. Are we giving Him our prime time, our freshest energy, our most significant talents, our deepest affections, and our most valuable resources? Or are we offering Him the remnants, what is convenient, or what we deem less valuable to ourselves? True worship, as exemplified by this ancient command, is an act of intentional surrender and wholehearted devotion, recognizing God's supreme worth and His rightful claim to the absolute best of who we are and what we possess. It calls us to live lives consecrated to Him, offering our "spiritual sacrifices" (as in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Spiritual Sacrifices and a Holy Priesthood")) with excellence, integrity, and a heart overflowing with gratitude for the profound peace and intimate fellowship we now enjoy through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I tempted to offer God "leftovers" instead of my "choicest fat"?**
* **How does the concept of God's ownership of the "best" influence my stewardship of time, talents, and financial resources?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to intentionally offer God my "best" in an act of worship, reflecting a heart of true devotion?**

### FAQ
**Why was the fat specifically reserved for the LORD and not eaten by humans?**

Answer: The fat was considered the richest, choicest, and most valuable part of the animal, symbolizing the "best" or the "finest." By reserving it exclusively for the LORD and consuming it by fire on the altar, God emphasized His supreme holiness, His absolute ownership over all things, and His right to receive the very best from His people. This prohibition also served to distinguish the sacred from the common, reinforcing the profound reverence due to God and the unique nature of His portion in the covenant. [Leviticus 7:23](/leviticus/7-23 "Leviticus 7:23 - Prohibition of Eating Fat") explicitly states this prohibition, making it a perpetual statute.

**What is the "whole rump" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "whole rump" (Hebrew _ʼalyâh_) refers to the large, fatty tail of certain breeds of sheep common in the ancient Near East, particularly the fat-tailed sheep. This tail was not merely a skeletal appendage but a significant deposit of fat, often weighing several pounds, and was considered a delicacy and a highly valuable part of the animal. Its inclusion in the offering, alongside the internal fat, underscored the principle of offering the most prized, substantial, and rich portions to the LORD, demonstrating the worshipper's complete devotion and the high value placed on God's portion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 3:9, with its meticulous instructions for offering the choicest fat and the entire rump to the LORD, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrifices, including the peace offering, were but shadows, types pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Jesus did not offer merely a portion of Himself; He gave His entire being—His perfect, sinless life, His precious blood, His very "fat" and "rump"—as the ultimate "offering made by fire" to God. As described in [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice"), He "offered himself without blemish to God." Through His atoning death on the cross, Jesus became our true and eternal [peace offering](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"), reconciling us to God and establishing a fellowship far deeper, more intimate, and more enduring than any Old Testament ritual could ever provide. His sacrifice was the "best" and "choicest" possible, perfectly pleasing to the Father, enabling us to have genuine peace with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")) and empowering us to respond by offering ourselves as living sacrifices in grateful response to His immeasurable gift ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world, making true peace and communion with God possible forever ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Exodus 29:22

Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul [above] the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that [is] upon them, and the right shoulder; for it [is] a ram of consecration:

Leviticus 9:19

And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth [the inwards], and the kidneys, and the caul [above] the liver:

Proverbs 23:26

My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

Leviticus 7:3

And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof; the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards,

Isaiah 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Leviticus 3:3

And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that [is] upon the inwards,

Leviticus 3:4

And the two kidneys, and the fat that [is] on them, which [is] by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.