Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Leviticus 3
Leviticus 3:1“If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord.
This verse establishes the nature of the peace offering as a voluntary act, distinct from mandatory offerings for sin, highlighting its focus on relationship and thanksgiving.Leviticus 3:5Then Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
The phrase 'a pleasing aroma to the Lord' signifies God's acceptance and delight in the worshiper's gift, showing that He welcomes this act of fellowship.Leviticus 3:16-17All fat is the Lord's. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”
These verses state a foundational principle: the best belongs to God. This permanent rule taught Israel to honor God above all and to respect the sanctity of life, which is represented by the blood.
Historical & Cultural Context
From Atonement to Fellowship
Having escaped Egypt and gathered at Mount Sinai, the Israelites have received the foundational laws of their covenant with God. God is now providing the specific instructions for how a sinful people can approach and live with a holy God in their midst. Leviticus chapters 1 and 2 laid out the burnt offering for atonement and the grain offering for dedication. Chapter 3 now shifts the focus from covering sin to celebrating the peace that comes from a right relationship with God.
A Shared Meal with God
The peace offering was unique in the sacrificial system because it culminated in a shared meal. While God received His portion on the altar (the fat) and the priests received theirs, the person bringing the offering would eat the remaining meat with their family and friends. This was a sacred celebration, not merely a religious duty. It was a tangible picture of harmony and communion between heaven and earth. It was a way to enjoy the blessings of God in the very presence of God.
Instructions for the Peace Offering
In Leviticus 3, God provides Moses with the specific procedures for the peace offering, a sacrifice meant to celebrate fellowship. The instructions are organized by the type of animal the worshiper might bring, whether from their herd or their flock. In each case, the process emphasizes giving the very best portions to God as an act of honor before the worshiper could share in the meal.
Offering from the Herd (Leviticus 3:1-5)
1 “If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord.
2 And 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 throw the blood against the sides of the altar.
3 And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,
4 Then he shall offer from it all its fat: the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails,
5 Then Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Commentary:
When offering cattle for peace, the worshiper identifies with the animal and gives its best parts - the fat - to God on the altar.
Offering a Lamb from the Flock (Leviticus 3:6-11)
6 "If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering to the Lord is an animal from the flock, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish."
7 If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall offer it before the Lord,
8 Then he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it in front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron's sons shall throw its blood against the sides of the altar.
9 Then from the sacrifice of the peace offering he shall offer as a food offering to the Lord its fat; he shall remove the whole fat tail, cut off close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails
10 And the priest shall burn it on the altar as a food offering made by fire to the Lord.
11 Then the priest shall burn it on the altar as a food offering to the Lord.
Commentary:
For a lamb offering, the process is similar, with special emphasis on offering the valuable fat tail to God.
Offering a Goat from the Flock (Leviticus 3:12-16a)
12 If his offering is a goat, then he shall offer it before the Lord.
13 And he shall lay his hand on its head and kill it in front of the tent of meeting, and the sons of Aaron shall throw its blood against the sides of the altar.
14 And he shall offer from it, as his offering for a food offering to the Lord, the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,
15 And the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys.
16 All fat is the Lord's.
Commentary:
A goat offering follows the same pattern, with the internal fat and organs being presented to God on the altar.
The Concluding Principles (Leviticus 3:16b-17)
16 All fat is the Lord's.
17 It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”
Commentary:
The chapter ends with a permanent rule: the best part (fat) belongs to God, and life (blood) must be respected as sacred.
Core Truths in the Peace Offering
Fellowship with God
The peace offering was fundamentally about relationship. It was often given out of gratitude and resulted in a shared meal, symbolizing that the barrier of sin was removed and the worshiper could enjoy communion with God. It reminds us that God desires our friendship, not merely our obedience.
Giving God the Best
The repeated command to offer the fat - the richest, most energy-dense part of the animal - was a powerful lesson in honor. It taught the Israelites that worship requires giving God their very best, not merely what remains. This principle of giving our first and best applies to our time, resources, and talents today.
The Sanctity of Life
The prohibition against consuming blood, which is mentioned alongside the fat in the final verse, was a constant reminder that life is sacred and belongs to God. By pouring out the blood at the altar, the Israelites acknowledged that God is the author of life and that atonement is required for sin.
A Foreshadowing of Christ
The peace offering points ahead to Jesus, who is called 'our peace' in the New Testament (Ephesians 2:14). Through His sacrifice, we have true and lasting fellowship with God the Father. The shared meal of the peace offering finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Lord's Supper, where we celebrate our communion with Him and each other.
Living Out the Principles of Peace
The peace offering shows that worship involves celebrating your relationship with God. It is more than confessing sin. Leviticus 3 encourages you to approach God not only with your needs but with a heart full of thanks. It invites you to see prayer, giving, and service as joyful ways to share your life with Him.
Just as the Israelites gave God the fat, you are called to give Him the best of your life. This means offering Him your prime time, not merely tired moments at the end of the day. It means using your best energy and talents for His purposes and managing your finances with a generous, first-fruits mindset, as taught in Leviticus 3:16.
You can cultivate fellowship by intentionally sharing your joys and successes with God, not merely your problems. The peace offering was a celebration, so practice celebrating God's goodness through journaling, singing, or telling Him 'thank you' throughout your day. This turns everyday moments into a shared experience with your Creator.
Celebrating Peace with God
Leviticus reveals God's desire for intimate fellowship with His people, not merely for atonement. The peace offering shows that God welcomes us into His presence to celebrate the relationship He has made possible. By giving God the best portion, the worshiper acknowledged His supreme worth and experienced the joy of communion. The message is clear: God invites us to enjoy His peace. He does not merely want our repentance.
What This Means for Us Today
The peace offering was an invitation to draw near and enjoy God's presence. Through Jesus, who is our peace, that invitation is extended to all of us. We no longer bring an animal, but we are called to come with thankful hearts, celebrating the relationship made possible by His ultimate sacrifice.
- In what ways can you 'share a meal' with God this week through prayer and thanksgiving?
- What 'best part' of your time, talents, or resources can you intentionally offer to God?
- Who can you share the peace of God with, inviting them into fellowship?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter on the grain offering, which precedes the peace offering, focuses on dedicating the work of one's hands to God.
The following chapter details the sin offering, which addresses unintentional sin and restores a broken relationship, making the fellowship of the peace offering possible.
Connections Across Scripture
This passage explains that Jesus is our peace, who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility to give us access to the Father.
This text reveals that God made peace through the blood of Jesus' cross, reconciling all things to Himself, which is the ultimate fulfillment of the peace offering.
Paul discusses the Lord's Supper as a participation, or fellowship, in the body and blood of Christ, echoing the communal meal aspect of the peace offering.
Discussion Questions
- The peace offering was often a voluntary act of thanksgiving. What are you thankful for today, and how can you express that to God in a tangible way?
- Leviticus 3:16 says, 'All fat is the Lord's,' meaning God gets the best part. In what areas of your life is it most challenging to give God your best, and why?
- This offering resulted in a shared meal between God, the priest, and the worshiper. How does the idea of sharing a meal with God change how you think about communion, prayer, or even everyday meals?