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Leviticus 3:6

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¶ And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD [be] of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.

And if his offering {H7133} for a sacrifice {H2077} of peace offering {H8002} unto the LORD {H3068} be of the flock {H6629}; male {H2145} or female {H5347}, he shall offer {H7126} it without blemish {H8549}.

"'If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offerings to ADONAI is from the flock, then, when he offers it, no matter whether it is male or female, it must be without defect.

If, however, one’s peace offering to the LORD is from the flock, he must present a male or female without blemish.

And if his oblation for a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.

Commentary

Context of Leviticus 3:6

Leviticus chapter 3 provides the divine instructions for the "peace offering," also known as the "fellowship offering," one of the core sacrifices in ancient Israelite worship. Unlike the burnt offering (Leviticus 1:1) which was entirely consumed on the altar, or the meal offering (Leviticus 2:1) which was largely for the priests, the peace offering was unique because a significant portion was returned to the worshiper and priests for a communal meal. This verse, Leviticus 3:6, specifically addresses the offering when it comes from the flock (sheep or goats), detailing the requirements for its acceptance.

Understanding the Peace Offering

The peace offering (shelamim in Hebrew) was primarily an expression of gratitude, a vow fulfilled, or a freewill offering. It symbolized a state of peace, communion, and fellowship between God and the worshiper. The shared meal portion underscored this concept of fellowship, as eating together in the ancient Near East signified covenant and close relationship.

  • Source: The offering could be from the herd (cattle) or the flock (sheep or goats), as indicated in Leviticus 3:1 and this verse.
  • Gender: Uniquely, for the peace offering, the animal could be either male or female, provided it met the standard of purity. This offered flexibility compared to other sacrifices where a male animal was often exclusively required.

The Requirement of "Without Blemish"

A crucial and consistent requirement for all sacrifices presented to the LORD, including the peace offering, was that the animal must be "without blemish." The Hebrew word for "without blemish" is tamim (תָּמִים), signifying completeness, soundness, and perfection. This standard ensured:

  • Respect for God: It demonstrated that the worshiper was giving their very best to a holy God, not something flawed or inferior.
  • Symbolic Purity: The unblemished animal represented the purity and perfection required for approach to God. Any defect would render the offering unacceptable.
  • Foreshadowing Christ: This strict requirement profoundly foreshadowed the perfect, spotless sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was without sin and offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for peace and reconciliation between God and humanity (Hebrews 9:14).

Theological Significance and Application

While animal sacrifices are no longer necessary under the New Covenant, the principles behind the peace offering remain profoundly relevant:

  • Peace with God: Through Christ's sacrifice, believers now have true peace with God (Romans 5:1). Our fellowship is not based on animal offerings but on the perfect work of Jesus.
  • Giving Our Best: The "without blemish" principle reminds us to offer our best to God in every aspect of our lives – our worship, service, talents, and resources. This is a spiritual sacrifice, as taught in Romans 12:1.
  • Communion and Fellowship: The communal aspect of the peace offering emphasizes the importance of fellowship among believers and with God. This is experienced through prayer, worship, and the Lord's Supper, which symbolizes our shared peace and communion in Christ.

Leviticus 3:6, therefore, is not merely an ancient ritual instruction but a foundational lesson on the nature of acceptable worship, the pursuit of peace with God, and the foreshadowing of the perfect sacrifice to come.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 60:7 (2 votes)

    All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.

  • Galatians 4:4 (2 votes)

    But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

  • Ephesians 2:13 (2 votes)

    But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

  • Ephesians 2:22 (2 votes)

    In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

  • Leviticus 1:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ And if his offering [be] of the flocks, [namely], of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.

  • Leviticus 3:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Leviticus 3:17 (2 votes)

    [It shall be] a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.