Leviticus 3 Laws for Priests and Offerings

1 The Fellowship Offering
“‘If someone’s offering is a fellowship offering, and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he is to present before the Lord an animal without defect.

2 He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood against the altar on all sides.

3 From the fellowship offering he is to bring a sacrifice made to the Lord by fire: all the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them,

4 both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys.

5 Then Aaron’s sons are to burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

6 “‘If he offers an animal from the flock as a fellowship offering to the Lord, he is to offer a male or female without defect.

7 If he offers a lamb, he is to present it before the Lord.

8 He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood against the altar on all sides.

9 From the fellowship offering he is to bring a sacrifice made to the Lord by fire: its fat, the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, all the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them,

10 both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys.

11 The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made to the Lord by fire.

12 “‘If his offering is a goat, he is to present it before the Lord.

13 He is to lay his hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood against the altar on all sides.

14 From what he offers he is to make this offering to the Lord by fire: all the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them,

15 both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys.

16 The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the Lord’s.

17 “‘This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.’”

Previous Chapter Leviticus 2 Next Chapter Leviticus 4

Understanding the Key Messages in
Leviticus 3: Insights and Explanation

Chapter 3 of Leviticus contains instructions and laws for the priests regarding various types of offerings, including fellowship offerings. It outlines the procedures for presenting the offerings and highlights the importance of certain rituals performed by the priests.

Notes

In this chapter, the focus is primarily on the instructions given to the priests. It provides insights into the rites and rituals they were required to perform when presenting offerings. These laws acted as a reminder of the Israelites' relationship with God and the need for purity and holiness in their approach to worship.

Analysis of Leviticus Chapter 3

Leviticus Chapter 3 discusses the practice and regulations concerning the offering of peace offerings (also referred to as fellowship offerings) to the Lord. The peace offering is distinct from other types of sacrifices that are outlined in the Book of Leviticus, such as burnt offerings, grain offerings, and sin offerings. The peace offering is unique in that it symbolizes reconciliation and communion between the offerer and God, often culminating in a communal meal that signifies fellowship with God and others.

Verses 1-5: The Offering of Cattle

The chapter begins with instructions for offering cattle as a peace offering to the Lord:

“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. 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. 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, 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. 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.”

Several key elements are revealed in these opening verses:

Gender and Quality of the Animal: The animal must be without blemish, whether male or female. The requirement for the animal to be unblemished signifies the offering of the best to God, reflecting the character of God as holy and perfect.
Laying on of Hands: The act of laying hands on the head of the offering symbolizes the identification of the offerer with the sacrifice. It is an act of dedication and transfer, acknowledging that the offering represents a form of thanksgiving and fellowship with God.
The Sprinkling of Blood: The priest’s sprinkling of the animal’s blood against the sides of the altar signifies the life-giving and atoning power of the blood, essential in the sacrificial system.
Consumption of Specific Parts: Detailed instructions are given regarding which parts of the animal are to be removed and burnt. The repetition of ‘all the fat’ indicates the separation of the choicest parts of the animal for God, and burning it creates a ‘pleasing aroma to the Lord,’ which symbolically pleases God.

Verses 6-11: Offering of Sheep

Next, instructions are given for offering a sheep:

“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. If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall offer it before the Lord, 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. 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, 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. And the priest shall burn it on the altar as a food offering to the Lord.”

These verses parallel the earlier instructions concerning cattle but tailor them to the offering of sheep:

Species Variation: The regulations accommodate different socioeconomic statuses by allowing a varied range of acceptable animals (cattle and sheep), enabling individuals to present what is available to them.
Consistent Procedures: Similar procedures are outlined for laying on of hands, the killing, the sprinkling of blood, and burning the specific parts of the animal, reinforcing the sanctity and uniformity of the sacrificial offerings.
Significance of Fat Portions: For sheep, the emphasis on the fat portions and the kidney sections to be offered highlights the physical and symbolic importance of giving the choicest parts to God.

Verses 12-16: Offering of Goats

Instructions continue for the offering of goats, mirroring the procedures for cattle and sheep:

“If his offering is a goat, then he shall offer it before the Lord and 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. Then 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, 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. And the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the Lord’s.”

The offering of goats aligns with earlier instructions, ensuring a consistent approach:

Hand Laying and Blood Sprinkling: The process of laying hands and sprinkling blood remains reiterated, underlining its ritual importance in every sacrifice.
Specific Parts for Burning: The detailed instructions concerning which parts to offer emphasize the sacred practice of submitting the finest portions to God, as a sign of honor and reverence.
Uniformity Across Species: By prescribing the same procedures for cattle, sheep, and goats, the text highlights that the key ritual elements should not vary regardless of the species of the offering, ensuring fairness and equality in worship practices.

Verse 17: Eternal Statute

“It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”

This final verse serves as a culminating commandment that underscores the enduring nature of these sacrificial regulations:

Eternality: The command is to be observed perpetually across generations, signifying the timelessness and continued relevance of these divine laws.
Prohibition of Consumption: The explicit prohibition against consuming fat and blood is significant. Fat, representing the richness and best portions, is reserved for God, while blood, symbolizing life, is set apart too. These prohibitions emphasize God’s holiness and the sacred nature of life and offerings.
Divine Ownership: The verse reinforces that certain elements, particularly the fat and blood, belong solely to the Lord, reflecting the ultimate sovereignty and ownership of God over all creation.

Spiritual and Theological Insights

Leviticus 3 provides profound insights into the nature of worship, reconciliation, and the relationship between God and His people:

Communal Worship: The peace offering entails communal participation (the offering, priestly actions, and eventual communal meal), illustrating the inclusive nature of worship and fellowship with God and the community.
Symbolism of Peace and Reconciliation: As a peace offering, it signifies restoration, thanksgiving, and joyful fellowship, marking moments of reconciliation and gratitude to God.
Offering the Best to God: The stipulation for unblemished animals and the detailed ritual procedures underscore the principle of offering the best part of oneself and one’s possessions to God, a reflection of reverence and acknowledgment of God’s supremacy.
Sacramental Nature of Blood: Blood’s pivotal role in the sacrificial system, particularly its life-bearing properties, prefigures the sacramental theology later developed in the New Testament, particularly relating to Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.

Conclusion

Leviticus Chapter 3 delineates the intricate and sacred nature of peace offerings, emphasizing ritual purity, the act of communion, and the theological significance of offering the best portions to God. Its meticulous prescriptions reflect a deep reverence for the divine and highlight core themes of reconciliation, thanksgiving, and the sanctity of communal worship. By adhering to these commandments, the Israelites could approach God with a sense of peace and fellowship, fostering a close-knit relationship with the Divine and with each other.

The peace offerings, therefore, serve as a precursor to the ultimate peace offering made by Christ, showcasing the continuity and fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan from the Old Testament sacrifices to the New Testament’s revelation in Jesus.