Leviticus 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Peace-offering - שלמים shelamim, an offering to make peace between God and man; see on Leviticus 7 (note), and Gen 14:18 (note).
Open source ↗THE PEACE OFFERING OF THE HERD. (Lev. 3:1-17) if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering--"Peace" being used in Scripture to denote prosperity and happiness generally, a peace offering was a voluntary tribute of gratitude for health or other benefits. In this view it was eucharistic, being a token of thanksgiving for benefits already received, or it was sometimes votive, presented in prayer for benefits wished for in the future. of the herd--This kind of offering being of a festive character, either male or female, if without blemish, might be used, as both of them were equally good for food, and, if the circumstances of the offerer allowed it, it might be a calf.
Open source ↗And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering,.... The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan render it, the "sacrifice of holinesses", or "sanctifications"; so called, not because they were more holy than other sacrifices; for they were what the Jews (c) call the lighter holy things, in distinction from the most holy things, such as the meat offerings were, Lev 2:10 but as Ainsworth suggests, either because none but holy persons might eat of them, Lev 7:19 though this also was enjoined in other sacrifices, or because hereby the name of God was sanctified. These offerings were either by way of thanksgiving for favours received, or for free devotion, or as a vow, and in order to obtain for himself that offered and family health and safety, peace and prosperity, see Lev 7:11 all which the word used signifies; and these sacrifices are by the Septuagint called "sacrifices of salvation" or "health", because offered either in gratitude for it, or to enjoy it; or else they were offered to make peace and reconciliation, and therefore are called peace offerings, and that they were for this purpose is certain from Eze 45:15 and Gersom says they had their name from hence, because they bring peace between God and men; they were a kind of a pacific festival between God, the priests, and the owner, and were typical of Christ, who has made peace for us by his blood and sacrifice. There is something very offensive to God in sin, it being a breach of his law, and contrary to his nature and will, provoking to the eyes of his glory, deserving of wrath, and death itself, and so not only sets man at a distance from him, but creates an enmity between them; hence a peace offering became necessary; such an one man could not bring acceptable to God; for neither his repentance nor good works wou…
Open source ↗The Peace-Offerings. - The third kind of sacrifice is called שׁלמים זבח, commonly rendered thank-offering, but more correctly a saving-offering (Heilsopfer: Angl. peace-offering). Besides this fuller form, which is the one most commonly employed in Leviticus, we meet with the abbreviated forms זבחים and שׁלמים: e.g., זבח in Lev 7:16-17; Lev 23:37, more especially in combination with עלה, Lev 17:8 cf. Exo 10:25; Exo 18:12; Num 15:3, Num 15:5; Deu 12:27; Jos 22:27; Sa1 6:15; Sa1 15:22; Kg2 5:17; Kg2 10:24; Isa 56:7; Jer 6:20; Jer 7:21; Jer 17:26, etc., - and שׁלמים in Lev 9:22; Exo 20:24; Exo 32:6; Deu 27:7; Jos 8:31; Jdg 20:26; Jdg 21:4; Sa1 13:9; Sa2 6:17-18; Sa2 24:25; Kg1 3:15, etc. זבח is derived from זבח, which is not applied to slaughtering generally (שׁחט), but, with the exception of Deu 12:15, where the use of זבח for slaughtering is occasioned by the retrospective reference to Lev 17:3-4, is always used for slaying as a sacrifice, or sacrificing; and even in Sa1 28:24; Eze 34:3 and Eze 39:17, it is only used in a figurative sense. The real meaning, therefore, is sacrificial slaughtering, or slaughtered sacrifice. It is sometimes used in a wider sense, and applied to every kind of bleeding sacrifice (Sa1 1:21; Sa1 2:19), especially in connection with minchah (Sa1 2:29; Psa 40:7; Isa 19:21; Dan 9:27, etc.); but it is mostly used in a more restricted sense, and applied to the peace-offerings, or slain offerings, which culminated in a sacrificial meal, as distinguished from the burnt and sin-offerings, in which case it is synonymous with שׁלמים or שׁלמים זבח. The word shelamim, the singular of which (Shelem) is only met with in Amo 5:22, is applied exclusively to these sacrifices, and is derived from שׁלם to be whole, uninjured. It does not mean "compensation or res…
Open source ↗The burnt-offerings had regard to God as in himself the best of beings, most perfect and excellent; they were purely expressive of adoration, and therefore were wholly burnt. But the peace-offerings had regard to God as a benefactor to his creatures, and the giver of all good things to us; and therefore these were divided between the altar, the priest, and the owner. Peace signifies, 1. Reconciliation, concord, and communion. And so these were called peace-offerings, because in them God and his people did, as it were, feast together, in token of friendship. The priest, who was ordained for men in things pertaining to God, gave part of this peace-offering to God (that part which he required, and it was fit he should be first served), burning it upon God's altar; part he gave to the offerer, to be eaten by him with his family and friends; and part he took to himself, as the days-man that laid his hand upon them both. They could not thus eat together unless they were agreed; so that it was a symbol of friendship and fellowship between God and man, and a confirmation of the covenant of peace. 2. It signifies prosperity and all happiness: Peace be to you was as much as, All good be to you; and so the peace-offerings were offered either, (1.) By way of supplication or request for some good that was wanted and desired. If a man was in the pursuit or expectation of any mercy, he would back his prayer for it with a peace-offering, and probably put up the prayer when he laid his hand upon the head of his offering. Christ is our peace, our peace-offering; for through him alone it is that we can expect to obtain mercy, and an answer of peace to our prayers; and in him an upright prayer shall be acceptable and successful, though we bring not a peace-offering. The less costly our dev…
Open source ↗3:1-17 The peace offering (Hebrew shelem) expressed worship through fellowship with the Lord and with others. The Hebrew word is from the same root as shalom, which speaks of wholeness, well-being, harmony, and peace. Shalom means more than a cessation of hostilities between God and the worshiper; it implies a bond of harmonious fellowship. The peace offering was therefore a shared meal celebrating fellowship with God and others (cp. Exod 18:12; 24:9-11; 1 Sam 9:15-24). It could be presented as an expression of thanks (Lev 7:12-15), as a voluntary offering, or in fulfillment of a vow (7:16-18; 22:21). Peace offerings often followed whole burnt offerings (e.g., 1 Kgs 9:25), showing that fellowship with God follows atonement. When we have experienced atonement through Christ, we are able to be at peace with God and with each other (see Acts 2:42; 10:36; Rom 5:1; 1 Cor 10:16; 11:17-34; 2 Cor 5:18-21). 3:1 a male or a female: The whole burnt offering allowed only the use of male animals because it made atonement (1:3, 10). The less formal peace offering permitted both male and female animals (see also 4:28, 32). • no defects: The sacrificial animals had to be healthy. The only exception was the voluntary offering, for which a slight blemish was permissible (22:23).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… זָכָר (zâkâr, H2145) — properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex) נְקֵבָה (nᵉqêbâh, H5347) — female (from the sexual form) תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial…
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold כִּלְיָה (kilyâh, H3629) — a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self) חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part כֶּסֶל (keçel, H3689) — properly, fatness, i.e. by implication (literally) the loin (as the seat of the leaf fat)… יֹתֶרֶת (yôthereth, H3508) — the lobe or flap of the liver (as if redundant or outhanging) כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3516) — the liver (as the heaviest of the viscera) סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative)
Open source ↗אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice נִיחוֹחַ (nîychôwach, H5207) — properly, restful, i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight רֵיחַ (rêyach, H7381) — odor (as if blown) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) זָכָר (zâkâr, H2145) — properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex) נְקֵבָה (nᵉqêbâh, H5347) — female (from the sexual form) קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose כֶּשֶׂב (keseb, H3775) — a young sheep קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth אַלְיָה (ʼalyâh, H451) — the stout part, i.e. the fat tail of the Oriental sheep סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) עֻמָּה (ʻummâh, H5980) — conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix),… עָצֶה (ʻâtseh, H6096) — the spine (as giving firmness to the body) כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial…
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold כִּלְיָה (kilyâh, H3629) — a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self) חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part כֶּסֶל (keçel, H3689) — properly, fatness, i.e. by implication (literally) the loin (as the seat of the leaf fat)… יֹתֶרֶת (yôthereth, H3508) — the lobe or flap of the liver (as if redundant or outhanging) כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3516) — the liver (as the heaviest of the viscera) סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative)
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present עֵז (ʻêz, H5795) — a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without…
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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If one’s 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.
and he is to present an offering to the LORD of an unblemished year-old male lamb as a burnt offering, an unblemished year-old female lamb as a sin offering, and an unblemished ram as a peace offering—
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard.
Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD.
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.
Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.
This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites, for it is the heave offering the Israelites will make to the LORD from their peace offerings.
“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.