Leviticus 7:18

KJV

And if [any] of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if any of the flesh {H1320} of the sacrifice {H2077} of his peace offerings {H8002} be eaten {H398} at all {H398} on the third {H7992} day {H3117}, it shall not be accepted {H7521}, neither shall it be imputed {H2803} unto him that offereth {H7126} it: it shall be an abomination {H6292}, and the soul {H5315} that eateth {H398} of it shall bear {H5375} his iniquity {H5771}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If any of the meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day, the sacrifice will neither be accepted nor credited to the person offering it; rather, it will have become a disgusting thing, and whoever eats it will bear the consequences of his wrongdoing.

Berean Standard Bible

If any of the meat from his peace offering is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted. It will not be credited to the one who presented it; it shall be an abomination, and the one who eats of it shall bear his iniquity.

American Standard Version

And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings be eaten on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 7:18 sets a stringent regulation for the peace offering, declaring that any portion of the consecrated meat consumed on the third day after the sacrifice is unacceptable to God. This command underscores the divine demand for holiness, precision, and reverence in worship, emphasizing that a failure to adhere to God's specific instructions would nullify the offering's efficacy, render it an abomination, and bring personal guilt and defilement upon the individual who partook of it.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 7 concludes the detailed instructions concerning various sacrifices, with a particular focus on the peace offering (Hebrew: *zevach sh'lamim*). This offering was unique in that a portion of the meat was returned to the offerer and the priests for a communal meal, symbolizing fellowship and communion with God. The regulations for the peace offering begin in [Leviticus 7:11](/leviticus/7-11 "Leviticus 7:11 - Regulations for Peace Offerings") and extend through [Leviticus 7:21](/leviticus/7-21 "Leviticus 7:21 - Further Rules for Peace Offerings"). Within this section, specific time limits are given for consumption: a thank offering, a sub-category of the peace offering, had to be eaten on the same day ([Leviticus 7:15](/leviticus/7-15 "Leviticus 7:15 - Consumption of Thank Offerings")). However, for a vow or freewill peace offering, the meat could be eaten on the second day. [Leviticus 7:18](/leviticus/7-18 "Leviticus 7:18 - Prohibition on Third Day Consumption") then introduces the strict prohibition against consuming any part of the peace offering on the third day, highlighting a critical distinction and the escalating severity of disobedience. This verse serves as a climactic warning regarding the sanctity of the offering and the consequences of its desecration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, especially given the warm climate, meat would spoil quickly without proper preservation methods. While this practical concern might seem to underlie the time limits, the primary motivation for these strict regulations was profoundly theological. The peace offering was not merely a meal; it was consecrated meat, set apart for God. Delaying its consumption beyond the prescribed time would diminish its sacred character, treating it as common food rather than a holy offering. This would be an act of profound disrespect towards God and His holy ordinances. The entire sacrificial system, as detailed throughout [the book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus - Laws of Sacrifice and Purity"), was designed to teach Israel about God's absolute holiness and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms, with meticulous obedience. Violations were not mere procedural errors but spiritual offenses that defiled the people and the sanctuary, potentially incurring divine judgment, as seen in various narratives throughout [the Old Testament](/exodus/19 "The Old Testament - God's Covenant and Holiness").
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphasizes **Holiness and Purity**, illustrating that God's presence demands strict adherence to His standards, not human convenience. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Obedience and Disobedience**, demonstrating that God's acceptance of worship is conditional upon precise conformity to His commands, and deviations carry severe consequences. Thirdly, it underscores the **Sacredness of Offerings**, revealing that items consecrated to God maintain their holiness only when handled according to divine instruction, transforming into an "abomination" if defiled. Finally, it reinforces the concept of **Individual Accountability**, where personal transgression against God's law directly results in bearing one's own iniquity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abomination (Hebrew, _piggûwl'_):** From an unused root meaning to stink; properly, fetid, i.e. (figuratively) unclean (ceremonially); abominable(-tion, thing). In Leviticus 7:18, this powerful term signifies something utterly detestable, repugnant, or morally offensive to God. Its application here to the consumption of peace offering meat on the third day elevates what might seem like a minor procedural breach to a profound spiritual offense, indicating God's extreme displeasure and the severe defilement incurred by such an act. It implies the offering has become putrid in God's sight, both physically and spiritually.
* **Imputed (Hebrew, _châshab'_):** A primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute. In this context, "not imputed" means that the offering will not be reckoned, credited, or accounted to the offerer for any spiritual benefit or favor. The act of worship is nullified, and the offerer gains no positive standing or acceptance from God through it. It signifies a complete rejection of the offering's efficacy due to non-compliance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if [any] of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day":** This clause sets the specific condition for the prohibition. It refers to the meat from any type of peace offering (thank, vow, or freewill) being consumed beyond the second day. The emphasis is on the "third day," indicating a strict time limit that, once crossed, renders the offering invalid and offensive. This highlights God's demand for timely and reverent consumption of consecrated items.
* **"it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it":** This part outlines the immediate consequence for the offerer. God rejects the offering, meaning it fails to achieve its intended purpose of fellowship, thanksgiving, or atonement. Furthermore, it is not "imputed" (credited) to the offerer, implying that the act of worship is nullified, and the offerer gains no spiritual benefit or favor from it. Their effort is rendered meaningless in God's sight, as their disobedience has invalidated the sacred act.
* **"it shall be an abomination":** This declaration reveals God's severe judgment on the act itself. The meat, once holy and consecrated, becomes utterly detestable to God if consumed on the third day. This transformation from sacred to abhorrent highlights the profound spiritual significance of obedience and the severe consequences of treating holy things with disrespect or disregard for God's precise instructions. It underscores the defiling nature of disobedience.
* **"and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity":** This final phrase specifies the personal spiritual consequence for the individual who consumes the defiled meat. The "soul" refers to the person themselves, indicating that they will incur guilt and spiritual defilement. This consequence could range from ritual impurity requiring purification to being "cut off" from the community (excommunication or even death), depending on the severity and context of the transgression, signifying direct divine judgment and personal accountability for violating God's holy commands.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 7:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey its crucial message regarding holiness and obedience. The primary device is **Legal Language**, as the verse functions as a prescriptive command within the Mosaic Law, characterized by its clear conditional structure ("And if... it shall not be accepted... neither shall it be imputed... it shall be an abomination... and the soul... shall bear his iniquity"). This precise formulation leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the expected conduct and its consequences. The use of the term "**abomination**" (Hebrew: *piggûwl*) serves as a form of **Hyperbole** or intense **Figurative Language**, elevating what might seem like a mere procedural error (eating meat a day late) to a profound spiritual offense in God's eyes. This strong word choice underscores the gravity of disrespecting consecrated items and the absolute nature of God's holiness. Furthermore, the entire regulation serves as **Symbolism**, where the perishable nature of the meat and the strict time limit symbolize the transient nature of human efforts and the absolute necessity of immediate, precise obedience in approaching a holy God. The act of eating the meat on time symbolizes proper communion and reverence, while its defilement symbolizes the breaking of that sacred bond and the spiritual decay that results from disobedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 7:18 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding holiness and His demand for meticulous obedience in worship. It teaches that divine acceptance is conditional upon strict adherence to His revealed will, emphasizing that God's standards are not arbitrary but reflect His perfect, unchangeable nature. The transformation of a holy offering into an "abomination" due to disobedience underscores the seriousness of violating sacred boundaries and the defiling nature of even seemingly minor transgressions in the eyes of a holy God. This principle extends beyond ritual, revealing that genuine worship is characterized by reverence, intentionality, and a humble submission to God's instructions, rather than human convenience or preference. It highlights that God values the heart of obedience over mere outward religious activity.

* [Deuteronomy 12:5-7](/deuteronomy/12-5-7 "Deuteronomy 12:5-7 - Eating Before the Lord in the Chosen Place")
* [1 Samuel 2:12-17](/1_samuel/2-12-17 "1 Samuel 2:12-17 - The Sin of Hophni and Phinehas and Despising Offerings")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Mosaic sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles embedded in Leviticus 7:18 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to examine the posture of our hearts in worship and obedience. It reminds us that God desires not merely our actions, but our reverence, our intentionality, and our precise adherence to His Word. Are we treating our spiritual disciplines, our service, our offerings of time, talent, and treasure to God with the sacredness they deserve, or are we allowing them to become "common" through neglect, delay, or a casual attitude? Just as the physical meat could become an abomination, our spiritual acts can become unacceptable if not offered in spirit and truth, according to God's will. This challenges us to pursue genuine holiness, understanding that our relationship with God is built on His terms, not our own preferences or conveniences. It compels us to consider how our seemingly small acts of disobedience or carelessness might be perceived by a holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be treating "holy" things (e.g., time with God, spiritual gifts, fellowship, integrity) as "common" or less significant than they are?**
* **How does the strictness of God's command in [Leviticus 7:18](/leviticus/7-18 "Leviticus 7:18 - The Abomination of Delayed Offerings") inform my understanding of the importance of obedience in my Christian walk today?**
* **Considering that God rejected an offering due to a time violation, what does this teach me about the importance of intentionality, timeliness, and precision in my worship and service to Him?**

### FAQ

**Why was the "third day" specifically forbidden for eating the peace offering?**

Answer: The prohibition against eating the peace offering on the third day was primarily a theological and spiritual command, though it had practical implications regarding spoilage in a warm climate. The deeper reason was to emphasize the sacredness and consecrated nature of the offering. The strict time limit ensured that the offering was treated with reverence and consumed promptly as a holy meal, distinguishing it from common food. Delaying consumption beyond the prescribed time would diminish its sacred character, turning it into an "abomination" in God's eyes, thus nullifying the offering and bringing guilt upon the eater. This strictness underscored God's demand for precise obedience in all matters of worship and purity under the [Mosaic Law](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"). It taught Israel that God's holiness required immediate and complete adherence to His commands.

**What does it mean for the offering "not to be accepted" and "not be imputed" to the offerer?**

Answer: When the offering was "not accepted," it meant that God rejected the act of worship entirely; it failed to achieve its intended purpose of fellowship, thanksgiving, or atonement. For it "not to be imputed" to the offerer meant that the offerer received no spiritual credit, benefit, or favor from the sacrifice. The entire effort was rendered null and void in God's sight, as if it had never been offered. This highlights that God's acceptance of worship is conditional upon the offerer's obedience to His specific commands, emphasizing the importance of doing things God's way, not merely doing *something* for God. This concept is seen throughout the [Old Testament](/genesis/4-5 "Genesis 4:5 - Cain's Offering Rejected") where God distinguishes between acceptable and unacceptable worship based on adherence to His revealed will and the heart of the worshiper.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 7:18, with its emphasis on a perfectly accepted sacrifice and the dire consequences of defilement due to disobedience or delay, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The strict time limits and the risk of an offering becoming an "abomination" underscore the perishable and imperfect nature of animal sacrifices, which could never truly take away sin or grant lasting peace. In stark contrast, Christ's sacrifice was "once for all" ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")), an eternal offering that never spoils, decays, or becomes unacceptable. His body, unlike the peace offering meat, did not see decay ([Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - Christ's Body Not Seeing Decay")), signifying the imperishable perfection and eternal efficacy of His atonement. Where the Israelite offerer bore his own iniquity for disobedience, Christ "bore our sins in his body on the tree" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bearing Our Sins")), taking upon Himself the "abomination" of our sin so that we might be made righteous. Through His perfect, eternally accepted sacrifice, we are granted true and lasting peace and fellowship with God, a communion that is not dependent on our flawed obedience to ritual but on His finished work ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - The Perfection of Christ's Sacrifice")). We are invited to partake spiritually in His body and blood, not perishable meat, but the life-giving essence of our Lord, through faith, finding eternal acceptance and freedom from bearing our own iniquity ([John 6:53-58](/john/6-53-58 "John 6:53-58 - Eating Christ's Flesh and Drinking His Blood")).

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

Leviticus 19:7

And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it [is] abominable; it shall not be accepted.

Leviticus 19:8

Therefore [every one] that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Leviticus 22:25

Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption [is] in them, [and] blemishes [be] in them: they shall not be accepted for you.

Leviticus 11:41

And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth [shall be] an abomination; it shall not be eaten.

Numbers 18:27

And [this] your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though [it were] the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.

Jeremiah 14:12

When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

Leviticus 17:16

But if he wash [them] not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.