The big picture
After whole burnt offerings and grain gifts, the instructions turn to peace offerings. Moses, the leader who receives these laws, is learning how Israel, the people worshipping at the tent, must bring them. Aaron, the chief priest, has sons who serve at the altar. They handle the blood and selected parts of each animal. Cattle, lambs, and goats are described in turn. The repeated concern is which portions belong on God's altar.
In this chapter
- A Herd Animal Becomes an Offering Leviticus 3:1-5
A peace offering from the herd can be male or female, but it must have no defect.
- The Lamb's Fat Is Burned Leviticus 3:6-11
The same offering can come from the flock, again as a male or female without defect.
- Goat Offerings End with a Prohibition Leviticus 3:12-17
A goat offered for peace follows the same pattern of the giver's hand, the animal's death, and blood applied by the priests.
Central truth
Peace offerings assign the blood and selected fat to God, placing clear limits on what worshippers treat as their own.
Scripture beside the summary
Leviticus · King James Version · 17Leviticus 3:1-5
A Herd Animal Becomes an Offering
A peace offering from the herd can be male or female, but it must have no defect. The worshipper lays a hand on its head and kills it at the tent entrance. Aaron's sons apply the blood around the altar. The fat around the inner organs, the kidneys with their fat, and the covering near the liver are removed. The priests burn these portions over the burnt offering. This sacrifice gives specified parts to God rather than burning the whole animal.
In everyday life
A butcher preparing a donated animal separates the portions assigned to different households. He checks the list before anyone takes meat home. The whole animal has been given, but its parts have appointed destinations. The sacred portions go into the altar fire instead of another household's cooking pot.
Notice
Leviticus 3:1 Either a male or female herd animal is allowed here. This differs from the whole burnt offering, which required a male without defect.
Leviticus 3:1-5
King James Version1And 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.
2And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
3And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
4And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
5And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
Leviticus 3:6-11
The Lamb's Fat Is Burned
The same offering can come from the flock, again as a male or female without defect. With a lamb, the giver first touches its head. He then slaughters it in front of the tent. The priests handle the blood at the altar. Along with the inner fat and kidneys, the whole fatty tail is removed near the backbone and burned. The account calls these portions the food of the offering to the Lord, naming what belongs to this sacred fire.
In everyday life
A cheesemaker cuts the agreed portion from a fresh wheel before dividing the rest for sale. Her assistant wraps that portion separately and writes its destination on the parcel. The division follows a claim already made on the goods. The lamb's portions are burned to God, not wrapped for another buyer.
Notice
Leviticus 3:9 The lamb's tail is included with its fat. The instructions attend to the actual animal being offered instead of treating every species as physically identical.
Leviticus 3:6-11
King James Version6And 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.
7If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the LORD.
8And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar.
9And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat thereof, and the whole rump, it shall he take off hard by the backbone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
10And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
11And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Leviticus 3:12-17
Goat Offerings End with a Prohibition
A goat offered for peace follows the same pattern of the giver's hand, the animal's death, and blood applied by the priests. The inner fat, kidneys, and liver covering go onto the altar. The Lord claims the fat for himself. A lasting rule then forbids eating fat and blood throughout the people's homes. The altar instructions therefore reach into ordinary meals as well. What God reserves in sacrifice is not available for people to consume as common food.
In everyday life
A caterer's assistant reaches for a sealed tray, then sees the label reserving it for a separate purpose. She puts it back and serves from the trays assigned to the guests. The boundary remains even when nobody is watching. God's claim covers Israel's homes as well as the altar, not one meal.
Notice
Leviticus 3:17 The rule applies in every dwelling and through later generations. It is not limited to the moment when an animal is being offered at the tent.
Leviticus 3:12-17
King James Version12And if his offering be a goat, then he shall offer it before the LORD.
13And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.
14And he shall offer thereof his offering, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
15And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
16And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD’s.
17It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Leviticus 3:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
Leviticus 3:9 forms a natural hinge: “And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat thereof, and the whole rump, it shall he take off…”
The final note
Leviticus 3:17 leaves the reader with “It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words offering, LORD, offer, fire, altar, inwards help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- caul
- The covering or lobe associated with the liver in these offerings.
- perpetual statute
- A rule intended to continue through later generations of the people.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
