Leviticuschapter 3

17 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 207 cross-references outward and receives 156 — heaviest partner: Leviticus.

Chapter summary

The peace offering — a fellowship sacrifice eaten with the LORD. Bullock or sheep or goat, male or female, without blemish. The fat, the kidneys, the caul above the liver are burned on the altar; the flesh is eaten in fellowship the same day (or the next). Unlike the burnt offering, the worshipper shares in the meal — this is the sacrifice of thanksgiving, vow, or freewill (ch. 7). JFB emphasises the communion dimension: God, priest, and people all partake. Paul's language of ‘fellowship’ and ‘communion’ in 1 Corinthians 10 reaches into the peace-offering category of the Old Testament altar.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Leviticus overview for the book's full setting.

1 And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace-offerings; if he offer of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before Jehovah.

2 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his oblation, and kill it at the door of the tent of meeting: and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

3 And he shall offer of the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,

4 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the caul upon the liver, with the kidneys, shall he take away.

5 And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt-offering, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah.

6 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.

7 If he offer a lamb for his oblation, then shall he offer it before Jehovah;

8 and he shall lay his hand upon the head of his oblation, and kill it before the tent of meeting: and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.

9 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,