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Leviticus 7:34

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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.

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}.

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.'"

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.’”

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

Leviticus 7:34 concludes the detailed instructions regarding the peace offering, specifically outlining the portions designated for the priests. This verse highlights God's meticulous provision for those who served in His tabernacle, ensuring their sustenance through the offerings brought by the people of Israel.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus (chapters 6 and 7) that provides specific laws for the priests concerning the various sacrifices. The peace offering (also known as the fellowship offering or offering of well-being) was unique among the sacrifices as it was primarily for communion and thanksgiving. Unlike the burnt offering (wholly consumed) or sin/trespass offerings (mostly consumed or eaten by priests only), parts of the peace offering were eaten by the worshipper, the priests, and a portion was burnt to the Lord. Leviticus 7:34 specifically addresses the portions that were given to Aaron and his sons, establishing a perpetual law for their support.

Key Themes

  • Priestly Provision: The verse clearly demonstrates God's divine plan for the financial and material support of the priesthood. The "wave breast" and "heave shoulder" were significant portions, ensuring that those dedicated to temple service were cared for. This principle of supporting those who minister spiritually is echoed throughout Scripture, even into the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 9:14).
  • Divine Ordinance and Perpetuity: The phrase "by a statute for ever" underscores that this was not merely a suggestion but a permanent, divinely ordained law. It emphasizes the enduring nature of God's commands and His commitment to the established order of worship and ministry.
  • Order and Structure in Worship: These detailed laws brought order to Israelite worship. By clearly defining who received which parts of the sacrifices, disputes were prevented, and the sanctity of the offerings and the roles of the priests were maintained.
  • Shared Sacrifice: The peace offering uniquely involved God, the worshipper, and the priest in a shared meal, symbolizing fellowship. Even within this shared experience, God designated specific portions for His servants, emphasizing their distinct role and His care for them.

Linguistic Insights

  • Wave Breast (tenuphah): The Hebrew word tenuphah refers to a "waving" motion. This ritual act symbolized presenting the offering to the Lord, acknowledging that it came from Him and was being returned to Him, before it was then given back to the priests for their sustenance. It signified dedication and presentation before God.
  • Heave Shoulder (terumah): The Hebrew word terumah signifies a "lifting up" or "raising" motion. Similar to the wave offering, it was an act of elevating the portion towards God, indicating its dedication to Him before being allocated to the priests. This term is also used more generally for contributions or offerings.
  • Statute for Ever (choq olam): This phrase emphasizes the enduring and perpetual nature of this command. It was a fixed ordinance, not a temporary provision, highlighting the lasting importance of supporting the Aaronic priesthood.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, the principles embedded in Leviticus 7:34 remain relevant. It teaches us about God's faithfulness in providing for His servants and the importance of the community supporting those who dedicate their lives to spiritual ministry. It also reminds us of God's desire for order and clear instruction in worship and service. Just as the priests were sustained by the offerings of the people, so too are those who teach and serve in the church often supported by the generous giving of believers today.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Numbers 18:18 (4 votes)

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

  • Numbers 18:19 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.