Leviticus 3 Study Notes
General
According to 3:16, to whom did all the fat of the sacrifices belong?
Answer: To the LORD
The chapter sums up its instructions by declaring that every bit of fat belongs to the LORD (3:16). The fat was regarded as the richest part, and it had to be burned for God, not kept by the priest or the worshiper. From the beginning, faithful worshipers like Abel offered God the choicest parts (Genesis 4:4). Centuries later, Eli's sons had their servant demand meat before the fat had been burned (1 Samuel 2:15-16), and Scripture calls this a severe sin because they despised what was offered to the LORD (1 Samuel 2:17). God is to receive the first and best.
- Leviticus 3:16 (BSB)“Then the priest is to burn the food on the altar as a food offering, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD’s.”The chapter sums up that all the fat belongs to the LORD.
- Genesis 4:4 (BSB)“while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,”Shows Abel bringing the best portions of his flock, which the LORD accepted with favor.
- 1 Samuel 2:15-16 (BSB)“Even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast, because he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” And if any man said to him, “The fat must be burned first; then you may take whatever you want,” the servant would reply, “No, you must give it to me right now. If you refuse, I will take it by force!””Shows the priest's servant, acting for Eli's sons, demanding meat before the fat was burned to the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 2:17 (BSB)“Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.”Declares that their conduct was a severe sin, treating the LORD's offering with contempt.
Theological
What claim does 3:16 make concerning the fat of the sacrifices?
Answer: It belongs to the LORD
The chapter's summary declaration is that every bit of fat belongs to the LORD (3:16); the choicest part of the animal is reserved for God and consumed on the altar. Abel's offering of the choicest parts of his flock was received with favor (Genesis 4:4), whereas the sons of Eli, by having their servant seize meat before the fat had gone up in smoke (1 Samuel 2:15-16), committed a grave sin in despising what was offered to the LORD (1 Samuel 2:17). The principle is that God is owed the first and the best, not the remainder.
- Leviticus 3:16 (BSB)“Then the priest is to burn the food on the altar as a food offering, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD’s.”The chapter sums up that all the fat belongs to the LORD.
- Genesis 4:4 (BSB)“while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,”Shows Abel bringing the best portions of his flock, which the LORD accepted with favor.
- 1 Samuel 2:15-16 (BSB)“Even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast, because he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” And if any man said to him, “The fat must be burned first; then you may take whatever you want,” the servant would reply, “No, you must give it to me right now. If you refuse, I will take it by force!””Shows the priest's servant, acting for Eli's sons, demanding meat before the fat was burned to the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 2:17 (BSB)“Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.”Declares that their conduct was a severe sin, treating the LORD's offering with contempt.
General
Which list matches the animals Leviticus 3 names for a peace offering?
Answer: Cattle, a lamb, or a goat
Leviticus 3 names three kinds of animals for a peace offering: one from the cattle (3:1), a lamb (3:7), or a goat (3:12). Unlike the burnt offering, which could also be a bird (Leviticus 1:14), no bird is listed for the peace offering. When Aaron later offered a peace offering for the people, he used an ox and a ram (Leviticus 9:18).
- Leviticus 3:12 (BSB)“If one’s offering is a goat, he is to present it before the LORD.”After cattle and a lamb, the chapter adds a goat as the third kind of peace offering.
- Leviticus 1:14 (BSB)“If, instead, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon.”Shows that birds were allowed for the burnt offering, in contrast to the peace offering.
- Leviticus 9:18 (BSB)“Then he slaughtered the ox and the ram as the people’s peace offering. His sons brought him the blood, and he splattered it on all sides of the altar.”Shows an ox and a ram being slaughtered as the people's peace offering, animals from the herd and flock.
Theological
Which animals does Leviticus 3 prescribe for the peace offering?
Answer: Cattle, a lamb, or a goat
The chapter provides for a peace offering from cattle (3:1), a lamb (3:7), or a goat (3:12). In contrast with the burnt offering, which admitted birds (Leviticus 1:14), no bird is listed for the peace offering. The inaugural peace offering for the people accordingly consisted of an ox and a ram (Leviticus 9:18).
- Leviticus 3:12 (BSB)“If one’s offering is a goat, he is to present it before the LORD.”After cattle and a lamb, the chapter adds a goat as the third kind of peace offering.
- Leviticus 1:14 (BSB)“If, instead, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon.”Shows that birds were allowed for the burnt offering, in contrast to the peace offering.
- Leviticus 9:18 (BSB)“Then he slaughtered the ox and the ram as the people’s peace offering. His sons brought him the blood, and he splattered it on all sides of the altar.”Shows an ox and a ram being slaughtered as the people's peace offering, animals from the herd and flock.
General
Where on the altar did Aaron's sons burn the fat of the peace offering (3:5)?
Answer: On top of the burnt offering already on the fire
Aaron's sons burned the peace offering's fat upon the altar, laying it over the burnt offering already lying on the wood fire (3:5). Leviticus 6 describes the same order: each morning the priest added wood, set out the burnt offering, then burned the fat from peace offerings upon it, while the fire was never allowed to go out (Leviticus 6:12). At the first offerings after the priests were ordained, fire from the LORD burned up the fat portions together with the burnt offering (Leviticus 9:24). Many see in this placement a picture of the peace offering resting on the burnt offering, the offering given wholly to God.
- Leviticus 3:5 (BSB)“Then 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.”The priests burn the peace offering's fat on the altar on top of the burnt offering already there.
- Leviticus 6:12 (BSB)“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it.”Shows the priest arranging the burnt offering on the altar fire each morning and burning the fat of the peace offerings on it.
- Leviticus 9:24 (BSB)“Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.”Shows the burnt offering and the fat portions consumed together on the altar by fire from the LORD.
Theological
Where does 3:5 direct the fat of the peace offering to be burned?
Answer: Upon the burnt offering already on the altar fire
The fat of the peace offering is burned on the altar upon the burnt offering already lying on the wood fire (3:5). The priestly regulations presuppose this sequence: each morning the burnt offering is arranged on the perpetual fire and the fat from peace offerings is burned upon it (Leviticus 6:12), and at the inauguration of the priestly ministry divine fire devoured the fat portions together with the burnt offering (Leviticus 9:24). Many see in this sequence the peace offering resting on the basis of the burnt offering, the wholly surrendered gift.
- Leviticus 3:5 (BSB)“Then 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.”The priests burn the peace offering's fat on the altar on top of the burnt offering already there.
- Leviticus 6:12 (BSB)“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it.”Shows the priest arranging the burnt offering on the altar fire each morning and burning the fat of the peace offerings on it.
- Leviticus 9:24 (BSB)“Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.”Shows the burnt offering and the fat portions consumed together on the altar by fire from the LORD.
General
What part of a peace offering from the cattle was burned on the altar for the LORD (3:3-5)?
Answer: The fat around the inner organs, both kidneys along with their surrounding fat, and part of the liver
Unlike the burnt offering, which was burned whole, only certain parts of the peace offering were burned: the fat covering and surrounding the inner organs, both kidneys along with their surrounding fat, and the lobe (the protruding part) of the liver (3:3-5). Leviticus 7 explains what happened to the rest. The breast went to the priests (Leviticus 7:31), and the meat was eaten, in the case of a thanksgiving offering on the very day it was offered (Leviticus 7:15). So the peace offering included a joyful meal before the LORD (Deuteronomy 12:7), a picture of fellowship between God and His people.
- Leviticus 3:3-4 (BSB)“From 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, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.”Lists the internal fat, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver as the portion given to the LORD.
- Leviticus 7:31 (BSB)“The priest is to burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons.”Shows the priest burned the fat while the breast went to Aaron and his sons.
- Leviticus 7:15 (BSB)“The meat of the sacrifice of his peace offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day he offers it; none of it may be left until morning.”Shows the meat of a thanksgiving peace offering was eaten on the day it was offered.
- Deuteronomy 12:7 (BSB)“There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.”Pictures worshipers eating and rejoicing with their households in the LORD's presence.
Theological
Which parts of a bovine peace offering does 3:3-5 assign to be burned on the altar?
Answer: The fat on and around the inner organs, both kidneys along with their surrounding fat, and the liver's lobe
In contrast to the wholly consumed burnt offering, only the fat covering and surrounding the inner organs, both kidneys along with their surrounding fat, and the liver's lobe are burned (3:3-5). The supplementary regulations explain the disposition of the remainder: the breast goes to the priests (Leviticus 7:31), and the meat is eaten, in the case of a thanksgiving offering on the day it is offered (Leviticus 7:15). The peace offering thus culminated in a sacrificial meal eaten with rejoicing before the LORD (Deuteronomy 12:7), a tangible expression of communion between God and His people.
- Leviticus 3:3-4 (BSB)“From 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, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.”Lists the internal fat, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver as the portion given to the LORD.
- Leviticus 7:31 (BSB)“The priest is to burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons.”Shows the priest burned the fat while the breast went to Aaron and his sons.
- Leviticus 7:15 (BSB)“The meat of the sacrifice of his peace offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day he offers it; none of it may be left until morning.”Shows the meat of a thanksgiving peace offering was eaten on the day it was offered.
- Deuteronomy 12:7 (BSB)“There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.”Pictures worshipers eating and rejoicing with their households in the LORD's presence.
General
When a lamb was brought as a peace offering, what extra portion was included with the parts burned on the altar (3:9)?
Answer: Its whole fat tail, removed near the backbone
When the peace offering was a lamb, the whole fat tail, removed near the backbone, was added to the other fat portions burned on the altar (3:9). Many sheep in the region had broad, heavy tails full of fat, which made this a rich portion. The fat tail is also listed among the parts offered to God from the ram at the priests' ordination (Exodus 29:22; Leviticus 8:25) and from the guilt offering (Leviticus 7:3). The richest parts belonged to the LORD.
- Leviticus 3:9 (BSB)“And 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,”When the peace offering is a lamb, its fat tail is added to the portions given to the LORD.
- Exodus 29:22 (BSB)“Take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh (since this is a ram for ordination),”Lists the fat tail among the portions of the ordination ram given to God.
- Leviticus 7:3 (BSB)“And all the fat from it shall be offered: the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails,”Includes the fat tail among the fat portions offered from the guilt offering.
- Leviticus 8:25 (BSB)“And Moses took the fat—the fat tail, all the fat that was on the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with their fat—as well as the right thigh.”Shows Moses taking the fat tail with the other fat portions at the priests' ordination.
Theological
What additional portion does 3:9 include when the peace offering is a lamb?
Answer: The whole fat tail, severed near the backbone
For a lamb, the whole fat tail, removed near the backbone, is added to the fat portions burned on the altar (3:9), reflecting the fat-tailed sheep common in the region. The same portion appears in the ordination ram (Exodus 29:22), in Moses' execution of the ordination rite (Leviticus 8:25), and in the guilt offering (Leviticus 7:3). The choicest fat is consistently reserved for the LORD.
- Leviticus 3:9 (BSB)“And 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,”When the peace offering is a lamb, its fat tail is added to the portions given to the LORD.
- Exodus 29:22 (BSB)“Take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh (since this is a ram for ordination),”Lists the fat tail among the portions of the ordination ram given to God.
- Leviticus 7:3 (BSB)“And all the fat from it shall be offered: the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails,”Includes the fat tail among the fat portions offered from the guilt offering.
- Leviticus 8:25 (BSB)“And Moses took the fat—the fat tail, all the fat that was on the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with their fat—as well as the right thigh.”Shows Moses taking the fat tail with the other fat portions at the priests' ordination.
General
True or False: In the peace offering, the worshiper pressed his hand upon the animal's head and the priests splashed its blood against the altar, just as in the burnt offering (3:2).
Answer: True
This is true. The worshiper pressed his hand upon the animal's head and killed it at the doorway of the tabernacle, and then Aaron's sons splashed the blood all around the altar (3:2), the same steps as in the burnt offering. Even an offering celebrating peace and fellowship with God rested on blood being shed at the altar. The New Testament shows where this leads: God made peace by the blood Christ shed on the cross (Colossians 1:20). People who were once far away are brought near by His blood, since He is Himself their peace (Ephesians 2:13-14), and those justified by faith, meaning declared right with God, are at peace with Him through Jesus (Romans 5:1).
- Leviticus 3:2 (BSB)“He 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.”The worshiper lays his hand on the animal and slaughters it, and the priests apply the blood to the altar.
- Colossians 1:20 (BSB)“and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.”States that God made peace through the blood of Christ's cross.
- Ephesians 2:13-14 (BSB)“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility”Shows those far from God brought near through Christ's blood, for He Himself is our peace.
- Romans 5:1 (BSB)“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”Declares that believers, justified through faith, have peace with God through Christ.
Theological
True or False: Leviticus 3:2 prescribes both the laying on of the hand and the priestly application of blood to the altar for the peace offering, as in the burnt offering.
Answer: True
This is true. The offerer lays a hand upon the victim and slaughters it at the doorway of the tabernacle, and Aaron's sons dash the blood around the altar (3:2), replicating the hand-laying and blood rite of the burnt offering. Fellowship with God, even in an offering expressive of peace, is grounded in shed blood. The fulfillment is Christ, through whom God made peace by the blood shed on the cross (Colossians 1:20); those once far off are brought near by His blood, He Himself being our peace (Ephesians 2:13-14), and the justified now stand at peace with God on His account (Romans 5:1).
- Leviticus 3:2 (BSB)“He 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.”The worshiper lays his hand on the animal and slaughters it, and the priests apply the blood to the altar.
- Colossians 1:20 (BSB)“and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.”States that God made peace through the blood of Christ's cross.
- Ephesians 2:13-14 (BSB)“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility”Shows those far from God brought near through Christ's blood, for He Himself is our peace.
- Romans 5:1 (BSB)“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”Declares that believers, justified through faith, have peace with God through Christ.
General
How did the rule for a peace offering from the cattle differ from the rule for a burnt offering (3:1)?
Answer: It could be either a male or a female
A peace offering, sometimes called a fellowship offering, from the cattle could be either a male or a female, though it still had to be without any defect (3:1). This was different from the burnt offering, which required a male (Leviticus 1:3). The same freedom applied to peace offerings from the flock (3:6). Leviticus later repeats that a peace offering had to be flawless to be accepted (Leviticus 22:21). God set His own terms for how His people could approach Him, and they were not free to bring whatever they liked.
- Leviticus 3:1 (BSB)““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.”A peace offering from the herd may be male or female but must be without blemish.
- Leviticus 1:3 (BSB)“If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD.”Shows that a burnt offering from the herd, by contrast, had to be a male.
- Leviticus 22:21 (BSB)“When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable.”Repeats that a peace offering from the herd or flock must be without blemish or defect to be accepted.
Theological
In what respect does 3:1 differ from the burnt offering regulations regarding an animal taken from the herd?
Answer: Either a male or a female is permitted
A peace offering taken from cattle may be male or female, provided it is without defect (3:1), whereas a bovine burnt offering must be a male (Leviticus 1:3); the same latitude applies to the flock (3:6). The requirement of an unblemished animal nonetheless stands, as the later legislation on peace offerings for vows and freewill gifts makes explicit (Leviticus 22:21). The LORD alone sets the terms of acceptable approach, varying the requirements by offering while never relaxing the demand for an unblemished victim.
- Leviticus 3:1 (BSB)““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.”A peace offering from the herd may be male or female but must be without blemish.
- Leviticus 1:3 (BSB)“If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD.”Shows that a burnt offering from the herd, by contrast, had to be a male.
- Leviticus 22:21 (BSB)“When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable.”Repeats that a peace offering from the herd or flock must be without blemish or defect to be accepted.
General
True or False: Leviticus 3 ends by forbidding the Israelites to eat fat or blood, as a lasting rule wherever they lived (3:17).
Answer: True
This is true. The chapter closes with a permanent rule for every generation, in every place the Israelites lived: they must never eat fat or blood (3:17). The fat belonged to the LORD (3:16), and the blood carried the animal's life, which God had given to make atonement on the altar (Leviticus 17:11). The ban on eating blood goes back to God's command to Noah (Genesis 9:4), and later chapters repeat both prohibitions, with a person who ate blood being cut off from the people (Leviticus 7:23, 26-27). Blood was treated as sacred because of its role in atonement, the covering of sin.
- Leviticus 3:17 (BSB)“This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.””Makes the ban on eating fat and blood a permanent statute wherever Israel lived.
- Leviticus 17:11 (BSB)“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”Explains that the life is in the blood and that God gave it for atonement on the altar.
- Genesis 9:4 (BSB)“But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.”Shows the prohibition on eating blood goes back to God's word to Noah.
- Leviticus 7:23 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘You are not to eat any of the fat of an ox, a sheep, or a goat.”Restates the ban on eating the fat of an ox, sheep, or goat.
- Leviticus 7:26-27 (BSB)“You must not eat the blood of any bird or animal in any of your dwellings. If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.’””Restates the ban on eating blood and its penalty of being cut off from the people.
Theological
True or False: Leviticus 3 concludes with a perpetual prohibition on eating fat and blood that applies throughout Israel's dwellings (3:17).
Answer: True
This is true. The chapter closes with a perpetual statute binding every generation in all their dwellings: no fat and no blood may be eaten (3:17). The fat belongs to the LORD (3:16), and the blood, as the seat of the animal's life, has been appointed by God for atonement on the altar (Leviticus 17:11). The blood prohibition reaches back to the Noahic command (Genesis 9:4), and both bans are reiterated in the priestly regulations, with the penalty of being cut off for eating blood (Leviticus 7:23, 26-27). The sanctity of blood is bound up with its atoning function.
- Leviticus 3:17 (BSB)“This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.””Makes the ban on eating fat and blood a permanent statute wherever Israel lived.
- Leviticus 17:11 (BSB)“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”Explains that the life is in the blood and that God gave it for atonement on the altar.
- Genesis 9:4 (BSB)“But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.”Shows the prohibition on eating blood goes back to God's word to Noah.
- Leviticus 7:23 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘You are not to eat any of the fat of an ox, a sheep, or a goat.”Restates the ban on eating the fat of an ox, sheep, or goat.
- Leviticus 7:26-27 (BSB)“You must not eat the blood of any bird or animal in any of your dwellings. If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.’””Restates the ban on eating blood and its penalty of being cut off from the people.