Leviticus 3:1-17
Peace with the LORD
1“If one’s offering is a peace offering and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present it without blemish before the LORD.
2He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splatter the blood on all sides of the altar.
3From the peace offering he is to bring a food offering to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them,
4both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
5Then Aaron’s sons are to burn it on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
6If, however, one’s peace offering to the LORD is from the flock, he must present a male or female without blemish.
7If he is presenting a lamb for his offering, he must present it before the LORD.
8He 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 splatter its blood on all sides of the altar.
9And from the peace offering he shall bring a food offering to the LORD consisting of its fat: the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them,
10both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
11Then the priest is to burn them on the altar as food, a food offering to the LORD.
12If one’s offering is a goat, he is to present it before the LORD.
13He must lay his hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall splatter its blood on all sides of the altar.
14And from his offering he shall present a food offering to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them,
15both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
16Then the priest is to burn the food on the altar as a food offering, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD’s.
17This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.”
Berean Standard Bible
The peace offering may come from the herd, the flock, or the goats. A male or female may be brought, but it must be without blemish. The worshiper presents the animal at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and lays a hand on its head.
The fat covering the entrails, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver are offered on the altar. The priest burns them on top of the burnt offering. The smoke is a pleasing aroma to the LORD, and the blood is splashed around the altar.
The instruction is repeated for sheep and goats, with details suited to each animal. In the case of a sheep, the fat tail is included. The repetition slows the reader down to the parts God has set apart and the careful work required at the altar.
Israel is told not to eat any fat or blood. The fat belongs to the LORD, and the blood represents life. The people may share in the peace offering, but they may not treat the life-blood or the richest portion as common food.
Questions
1 What animals could be used for a peace offering?
AnswerA worshiper could bring an animal from the herd, flock, or goats, provided it was without blemish.
2 What happened to the blood?
AnswerThe priest splashed the animal's blood against the sides of the altar.
3 Which parts were burned?
AnswerThe fat, kidneys, and lobe of the liver were burned, with the sheep's fat tail included when appropriate.
4 What were the Israelites forbidden to eat?
AnswerThey were forbidden to eat the fat set apart for the LORD or any blood.
What This Means for Us
The peace offering shows fellowship with God without making worship casual. The people share in the offering, yet the LORD receives what has been set apart for him.
Gratitude should include both celebration and boundaries. Enjoy God's gifts, but do not assume that everything available to you is yours to consume or control.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the peace and fellowship you provide. Teach us to celebrate your gifts with reverence, generosity, and respect for the boundaries that keep gratitude from becoming entitlement. Amen.