1
“If his offering is a peace offering, and if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall bring it without blemish before the LORD.
2
Then he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
3
From the peace offering he shall present as an offering made by fire to the LORD the fat that covers the inward parts, and all the fat that is on the inward parts,
4
and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the appendage on the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys.
5
Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar, on top of the burnt offering that is on the fire, as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
6
If his offering for a peace offering to the LORD is from the flock, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
7
If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall bring it before the LORD.
8
He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it before the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
9
Then from the peace offering he shall present its fat as an offering made by fire to the LORD: the whole fat tail, which he shall remove close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the inward parts, and all the fat that is on the inward parts,
10
and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the appendage on the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys.
11
The priest shall burn it on the altar as food, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
12
If his offering is a goat, then he shall bring it before the LORD.
13
He shall lay his hand on its head and kill it before the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
14
Then from it he shall present as his offering, an offering made by fire to the LORD, the fat that covers the inward parts, and all the fat that is on the inward parts,
15
and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the appendage on the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys.
16
The priest shall burn all of it on the altar as food, an offering made by fire, for a pleasing aroma. All the fat belongs to the LORD.
17
This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.”
🕊️🤝🔥 Summary of Leviticus 3 – The Law of the Peace Offering (Offering of Reconciliation/Peace)
Leviticus 3 sets forth the rules for the peace offering (offering of peace and well-being)—an offering that signifies restored fellowship between man and God, and joy in that relationship.
1. Kinds of Peace Offerings (verses 1–17)
- The offering may be:
Cattle
A male or female sheep
A goat
- The main requirement: without blemish.
- The one who brings the offering lays his hand on the head of the sacrifice, then kills it.
- The priest sprinkles the blood on the altar, then burns certain fats on the altar.
2. The Portion Burned for the LORD
- The fat that is burned:
The fat that covers the inward parts
The kidneys and their fat
The liver appendage
- Fat and blood must not be eaten—strictly forbidden forever (verse 17).
3. The Offering Divided in Three
- The portion for the LORD: the fat is burned on the altar.
- The portion for the priest: certain breast and thigh portions.
- The portion for the one who offers it: they may eat part of the meat of the sacrifice, as a sign of peaceful fellowship with God.
📖 Main Teaching
- The peace offering is a voluntary offering, as an expression of thanksgiving, a vow, or joy over peace with God (see Leviticus 7:11–21).
- Fellowship with the Lord brings real peace that can be celebrated.
- The LORD sets a boundary: the fat and the blood belong to Him—they are not to be eaten.
- Worship is not only about atoning for sin, but also about celebrating relationship with God.
- Believers are called to rejoice in peace, not to live continually under guilt.
✨ Spiritual Meaning
- The peace offering symbolizes peace between man and God through forgiveness.
- In the New Testament, this offering is fulfilled by Christ as our peacemaker (Ephesians 2:14–17).
- The sacrificial meal points to the Lord’s Supper—a sign of fellowship with God and His people.
- The prohibition against eating fat and blood emphasizes that the life and honor of the sacrifice belong to the LORD alone.
- The life of a believer is not only about forgiveness of sin, but also peace and joyful fellowship with God.
