Leviticus 7:34

KJV

For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the wave {H8573} breast {H2373} and the heave {H8641} shoulder {H7785} have I taken {H3947} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} from off the sacrifices {H2077} of their peace offerings {H8002}, and have given {H5414} them unto Aaron {H175} the priest {H3548} and unto his sons {H1121} by a statute {H2706} for ever {H5769} from among the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the breast that has been waved and the thigh that has been contributed I have taken from the people of Isra'el out of their sacrifices of peace offerings and given them to Aharon the cohen and to his descendants as their share forever from the people of Isra'el.'"

Berean Standard Bible

I have taken from the sons of Israel the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution of their peace offerings, and I have given them to Aaron the priest and his sons as a permanent portion from the sons of Israel.’”

American Standard Version

For the wave-breast and the heave-thigh have I taken of the children of Israel out of the sacrifices of their peace-offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons as their portion for ever from the children of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 7:34 concludes the detailed instructions for the peace offering, specifically delineating the portions designated for the Aaronic priesthood. This verse underscores God's meticulous provision for those consecrated to His service in the Tabernacle, ensuring their sustenance through specific, divinely ordained shares from the sacrifices brought by the people of Israel. It establishes a perpetual statute, highlighting the enduring nature of God's care for His ministers and the structured order of Israelite worship, emphasizing both divine authority and communal responsibility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 7:34 is situated within a larger section (Leviticus 6-7) that provides specific, detailed laws concerning the various offerings, particularly focusing on the priests' duties and their portions. Following the general regulations for offerings in [Leviticus 1-5](/leviticus/1-5 "Leviticus 1-5 - Laws of the Offerings"), chapters 6 and 7 elaborate on the priests' responsibilities and their allocated shares from the burnt offering, grain offering, sin offering, trespass offering, and finally, the peace offering. The peace offering, also known as the fellowship offering or offering of well-being, is unique among the sacrifices because it was primarily an act of communion and thanksgiving. Unlike the burnt offering, which was wholly consumed on the altar, or the sin and trespass offerings, which were largely consumed by fire or eaten exclusively by the priests, the peace offering involved a shared meal. Portions were burnt to the Lord, some were eaten by the worshipper and their household, and specific parts were designated for the priests. This verse precisely defines the priests' perpetual share from this communal sacrifice, emphasizing their distinct and divinely ordained role in facilitating fellowship between God and His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Leviticus is the wilderness journey of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, at the foot of Mount Sinai, where the Tabernacle had just been erected and consecrated. The Aaronic priesthood had been established as the exclusive mediators between God and Israel, responsible for the sacrificial system and the maintenance of the Tabernacle. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites, and specifically the priests (descendants of Aaron), were not allotted a territorial inheritance in the land of Canaan, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "Numbers 18:20 - The Levites' Inheritance"). Their inheritance was the Lord Himself, and their sustenance was to come directly from the offerings of the people. This arrangement ensured that the priests could devote themselves entirely to their sacred duties without the distraction of agricultural labor or land management. Leviticus 7:34, therefore, reflects God's practical and profound provision for His consecrated servants, establishing a system of support that was vital for the functioning of Israel's worship and the spiritual well-being of the nation. This divine ordinance underscored the sanctity of their office and the communal responsibility to uphold the sacred order.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent throughout [the book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Holiness and Worship"). Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Provision**, demonstrating God's meticulous care for those dedicated to His service by ensuring their sustenance directly from the offerings. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Holiness and Consecration**, as the priests, set apart for sacred duties, are sustained through holy portions of the sacrifices, emphasizing their unique status. Thirdly, the verse underscores **Covenant Obligation and Community Responsibility**, illustrating that the people's participation in the sacrificial system included their duty to support the priesthood, thereby maintaining the covenant relationship. Finally, the phrase "statute for ever" points to the **Enduring Nature of God's Decrees** and the established order of worship, a principle that transcends specific ceremonial practices and speaks to God's unchanging character and His desire for a structured, orderly approach to worship and service, as seen throughout the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Feasts of the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wave Breast (Hebrew, _tᵉnûwphâh'_):** From the root meaning "to brandish" or "to undulate," this term refers to a specific ritual action where the breast portion of the animal sacrifice was "waved" or "swung" back and forth before the Lord by the priest, often with the worshipper's hands underneath the priest's. This motion symbolized the offering being presented to God, acknowledging His ownership and sovereignty over all things, and then being returned by Him to the priests as their portion. It was an act of dedication and consecration, signifying that the gift was from God, offered back to Him, and then graciously redistributed by Him.
* **Heave Shoulder (Hebrew, _tᵉrûwmâh'_):** From the root meaning "to lift up," this term describes a ritual action of "lifting up" or "raising" the shoulder portion of the sacrifice towards God. Similar to the wave offering, this act also symbolized the offering's dedication to the Lord, acknowledging it as a gift from Him and a return to Him, before it was designated for the priests. The term _tᵉrûwmâh_ is also used more broadly for any contribution or offering lifted up to the Lord, emphasizing its sacred nature and divine allocation, often representing a "present" or "oblation."
* **Statute for Ever (Hebrew, _chôq ʻôwlâm'_):** This compound phrase combines _chôq_ (an enactment, appointment, or ordinance) and _ʻôwlâm_ (time out of mind, eternity, perpetual). Together, they emphasize the enduring, perpetual, and unchangeable nature of this divine command. It signifies that this provision for the Aaronic priesthood was not a temporary arrangement but a fixed, binding ordinance established by God Himself. It highlights the lasting importance of supporting those consecrated to sacred service and the immutable character of God's decrees concerning the order of worship and ministry, indicating a law that would stand for all generations of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings":** This opening clause highlights God's direct initiative and sovereign authority, indicated by the first-person pronoun "I taken." It underscores that the allocation of these specific, ritually presented portions—the wave breast and the heave shoulder—is not a human invention or a matter of priestly discretion, but a divine decree. These portions originate specifically from the peace offerings, which were voluntary sacrifices symbolizing fellowship, communion, and thanksgiving, emphasizing that even in acts of communal celebration and gratitude, God's consecrated servants are meticulously provided for.
* **"and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons":** This part specifies the divinely appointed recipients of these portions: Aaron, the high priest, and his male descendants who served as priests. The direct "giving" by God signifies His personal care and authority in establishing the means of sustenance for the priesthood, ensuring their ability to perform their sacred duties without material want. It establishes a clear line of divine provision for the consecrated priestly lineage.
* **"by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.":** This concluding phrase powerfully reinforces the perpetual and binding nature of this provision. It was a permanent ordinance, not subject to human repeal or alteration, establishing an enduring system of support for the priesthood throughout Israel's history. The phrase "from among the children of Israel" emphasizes that this provision came directly from the community's offerings, highlighting their responsibility in upholding the divine order and sustaining those who ministered on their behalf, making it a communal obligation rooted in divine command.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 7:34 primarily employs **Divine Mandate** and **Legal Formula** to emphasize its message. The phrase "have I taken... and have given them" highlights God as the active agent, underscoring the divine authority behind this decree. This direct speech from God elevates the command beyond mere human legislation, imbuing it with absolute authority and perpetual validity. The concept of a "statute for ever" acts as a **Legal Formula**, signifying the unchangeable and enduring nature of this ordinance, cementing its place as a foundational and perpetual law for the Israelite community and its priesthood. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Symbolism** through the ritual actions of waving and heaving, which visually represent the dedication of the offering to God and its subsequent return as a blessing and provision for His servants, embodying the sacred exchange between the divine and the human. The **Repetition** of specific terms like "wave breast" and "heave shoulder" throughout the sacrificial laws (cf. [Leviticus 7:30](/leviticus/7-30 "Priests' Portion of Peace Offering")) reinforces their significance as distinct, consecrated portions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 7:34 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous provision for those consecrated to His service, establishing a foundational principle of supporting spiritual ministry. It reveals a God who is not only concerned with the spiritual purity and worship of His people but also with the practical sustenance of those who facilitate their worship and mediate their relationship with Him. This divine ordinance underscores the sanctity of the priesthood and the communal responsibility to ensure their well-being, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties without worldly distraction. The "statute for ever" highlights the enduring nature of God's principles, even as their specific forms evolve across covenants, pointing to a timeless truth about the care for those set apart for God's work.

* [Numbers 18:8-20](/numbers/18-8-20 "Priestly Portions and Inheritance")
* [Deuteronomy 18:1-5](/deuteronomy/18-1-5 "Priests' Share of Offerings")
* [1 Corinthians 9:13-14](/1_corinthians/9-13-14 "Support for Ministers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system and the Aaronic priesthood have been fulfilled and superseded in Christ, the enduring principles embedded in Leviticus 7:34 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse teaches us about God's unwavering faithfulness in providing for His servants and the sacred responsibility of the community to support those who dedicate their lives to spiritual ministry. Just as the priests were sustained by the offerings of the people, enabling them to focus on their divine calling, so too are those who teach, preach, and serve in the church often supported by the generous giving of believers. This mutual interdependence fosters a healthy spiritual ecosystem where ministers are free to serve, and the congregation participates in God's work through their provision. It reminds us that stewardship extends beyond personal finances to the collective support of God's kingdom work, reflecting God's desire for order, generosity, and the flourishing of His people through dedicated spiritual leadership. It calls us to consider how we, as the New Covenant community, participate in God's ongoing provision for those who shepherd and minister among us, ensuring they are free to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous provision for the priests in the Old Testament inform our understanding of His care for His servants today?**
* **In what ways can we practically apply the principle of supporting those who minister spiritually in our own contexts, recognizing it as a divine mandate?**
* **What does the "statute for ever" teach us about the enduring nature of God's principles concerning ministry and provision, even when their specific forms change across covenants?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the "wave breast" and "heave shoulder" rituals?**

Answer: The "wave breast" (Hebrew: _tᵉnûwphâh_) and "heave shoulder" (Hebrew: _tᵉrûwmâh_) were specific ritual actions performed during the offering of sacrifices, particularly the peace offering. The waving motion symbolized presenting the offering to the Lord, acknowledging His ultimate ownership and sovereignty over all things. It was an act of dedication, signifying that the offering was given *to* God. The heaving motion, or lifting up, similarly symbolized an offering consecrated to God. Both rituals were acts of symbolic transfer, where the worshipper presented the portion to God, and God, in turn, graciously designated it as the priests' portion. This emphasized that the priests received their sustenance not merely from the people, but directly from the Lord's hand, through the offerings consecrated to Him. These rituals underscored the sacred nature of the portions and the divine authority behind their allocation to the priesthood, ensuring that the priests were sustained by God's own provision, mediated through the community's worship.

**Why were these specific portions given to the priests?**

Answer: These specific portions were given to the priests as God's direct and perpetual provision for their sustenance. Unlike the other tribes of Israel, the priests, as descendants of Aaron, did not receive a land inheritance in Canaan, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 18:20](/numbers/18-20 "The Levites' Inheritance"). Their "inheritance" was the Lord Himself, and their livelihood was to come directly from the offerings brought by the people. By designating specific, valuable portions of the sacrifices, such as the wave breast and heave shoulder from the peace offering, God ensured that the priests could devote themselves fully to their sacred duties in the [Tabernacle](/exodus/25 "Instructions for the Tabernacle") and later the Temple, without needing to engage in agricultural labor or other worldly pursuits for their survival. This system highlighted God's commitment to those who served Him and underscored the community's responsibility to support those who ministered spiritually on their behalf, fostering a symbiotic relationship essential for the spiritual health of the nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 7:34, though rooted in the Old Covenant sacrificial system, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in Jesus Christ. The peace offering, from which the wave breast and heave shoulder were taken, symbolized fellowship and communion with God—a communion broken by sin but perfectly restored by Christ. Jesus is our ultimate [peace offering](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Our Peace"), whose once-for-all sacrifice on the cross (cf. [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")) perfectly atoned for sin and opened the way for eternal fellowship with God. The Old Testament priesthood, sustained by the offerings, foreshadowed Christ, our great High Priest (cf. [Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Jesus Our Great High Priest")), who continually intercedes for us and is the source of all spiritual nourishment for His people. Furthermore, in the New Covenant, all believers are constituted a [royal priesthood](/1_peter/2-9 "A Royal Priesthood"), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service. While the literal portions of meat are no longer required, the principle of God's provision for His ministers endures. Just as the priests were supported, so too are those who proclaim the gospel and shepherd God's flock in the New Covenant (cf. [1 Corinthians 9:14](/1_corinthians/9-14 "Support for Ministers") and [Galatians 6:6](/galatians/6-6 "Sharing Good Things with Instructors")). Ultimately, Christ Himself is the inexhaustible source of all provision, sustaining His church and empowering His servants through the spiritual nourishment of His Word and Spirit, ensuring that those dedicated to His service are cared for until His glorious return.

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

Numbers 18:18

And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine.

Numbers 18:19

All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it [is] a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

Leviticus 10:14

And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for [they be] thy due, and thy sons' due, [which] are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.

Leviticus 10:15

The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave [it for] a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.

Exodus 29:27

And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, [even] of [that] which [is] for Aaron, and of [that] which is for his sons:

Exodus 29:28

And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it [is] an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, [even] their heave offering unto the LORD.

Leviticus 7:30

His own hands shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the fat with the breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved [for] a wave offering before the LORD.