World English Bible
- “’This is the law of the trespass offering: It is most holy.
- In the place where they kill the burnt offering, he shall kill the trespass offering; and its blood he shall sprinkle around on the altar.
- He shall offer all of its fat: the fat tail, and the fat that covers the innards,
- and he shall take away the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys;
- and the priest shall burn them on the altar for an offering made by fire to the LORD: it is a trespass offering.
- Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy.
- “’As is the sin offering, so is the trespass offering; there is one law for them. The priest who makes atonement with them shall have it.
- The priest who offers any man’s burnt offering shall have for himself the skin of the burnt offering which he has offered.
- Every meal offering that is baked in the oven, and all that is prepared in the pan and on the griddle, shall be the priest’s who offers it.
- Every meal offering, mixed with oil or dry, belongs to all the sons of Aaron, one as well as another.
- “’This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to the LORD:
- If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mixed with oil.
- He shall offer his offering with the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving with cakes of leavened bread.
- Of it he shall offer one out of each offering for a heave offering to the LORD. It shall be the priest’s who sprinkles the blood of the peace offerings.
- The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it until the morning.
- “’But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow, or a free will offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice. On the next day what remains of it shall be eaten,
- but what remains of the meat of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burned with fire.
- If any of the meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, and it shall not be credited to him who offers it. It will be an abomination, and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.
- “’The meat that touches any unclean thing shall not be eaten. It shall be burned with fire. As for the meat, everyone who is clean may eat it;
- but the soul who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings that belongs to the LORD, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.
- When anyone touches any unclean thing, the uncleanness of man, or an unclean animal, or any unclean abomination, and eats some of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings which belong to the LORD, that soul shall be cut off from his people.’”
- The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
- “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ’You shall eat no fat, of bull, or sheep, or goat.
- The fat of that which dies of itself, and the fat of that which is torn of animals, may be used for any other service, but you shall in no way eat of it.
- For whoever eats the fat of the animal which men offer as an offering made by fire to the LORD, even the soul who eats it shall be cut off from his people.
- You shall not eat any blood, whether it is of bird or of animal, in any of your dwellings.
- Whoever it is who eats any blood, that soul shall be cut off from his people.’”
- The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
- “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ’He who offers the sacrifice of his peace offerings to the LORD shall bring his offering to the LORD out of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.
- With his own hands he shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire. He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the LORD.
- The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.
- The right thigh you shall give to the priest for a heave offering out of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.
- He among the sons of Aaron who offers the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right thigh for a portion.
- For the waved breast and the heaved thigh I have taken from the children of Israel out of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel.’”
- This is the consecrated portion of Aaron, and the consecrated portion of his sons, out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, in the day when he presented them to minister to the LORD in the priest’s office;
- which the LORD commanded to be given them of the children of Israel, in the day that he anointed them. It is their portion forever throughout their generations.
- This is the law of the burnt offering, the meal offering, the sin offering, the trespass offering, the consecration, and the sacrifice of peace offerings
- which the LORD commanded Moses in Mount Sinai in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their offerings to the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai.
(Reflections on Leviticus 7)
In Leviticus 7, we encounter detailed instructions about various sacrificial offerings—particularly focusing on what we call the Peace or Fellowship Offering (Hebrew: Zevach Shelamim). The term Shelamim relates to Shalom, a concept encapsulating rich, abundant peace. This particular sacrifice portrays a profound intimacy between God and His people.
A fascinating aspect is that the Peace Offering was partly consumed by priests, partly by the worshipper and their family, and symbolically shared with God. This communal meal represented communion—a special moment when God and His people dined symbolically together, signifying harmony, peace, and blessing.
Historical Insight: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, dining with others symbolized friendship, unity, and a reciprocal bond of honor and protection. How much more profound is it, then, when the host is the Lord Almighty Himself?
In the New Testament, this concept finds fulfillment in the practice of Communion (the Lord’s Supper), as Christ invites believers to His table, signifying our reconciliation and communion with God and each other.
Cross Reference:
> “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a
participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break
a participation in the body of Christ?”
> (1 Corinthians 10:16, New International Version)
Leviticus 7 also provides details about specific dietary prohibitions, notably the forbidding of consuming blood and certain fats. To a Western audience, such restrictions might seem puzzling. But the meaning goes deeper: blood represented life itself (Lev 17:11), and God decreed that life belonged solely to Him. Refraining from consuming blood showed reverence and acknowledgment of God’s sovereign ownership over life.
Additionally, the fat portions were considered the most prized and best part of the offering. Reserving this portion for God was practical teaching: offer your very best to Him without reservation.
Cross Reference:
> “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to
you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar…”
> (Leviticus 17:11, New International Version)
The instructions here clearly established that the priests received a portion from the offerings brought by the people. This practice supported and sustained the priests—the Levites, who did not possess land or property as did the other tribes. God carefully provided for those who ministered before Him.
From this tradition later emerged the concept of hospitality and mutual care within the faith community. We see reflections of this attitude in the early church (Acts 2:42-45), as believers shared resources to sustain and support one another in ministry and community.
Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, this practice reminded worshippers that ministry and spiritual leadership can only flourish within a supportive community where shared responsibility sustains mutual growth.
Throughout history, theologians such as Augustine and Calvin have emphasized how the Peace Offering foreshadowed Christ. Augustine famously wrote on how Christ became the bridge—the “peace”—between sinful humanity and a holy God. Calvin, similarly, reminds us that the fellowship offerings pointed forward to the coming of Christ and our communion through Him. Christ Himself is our everlasting peace (Ephesians 2:14-18), reconciling us not only to God but also uniting us as one family.
Hymn Suggestion:
“Come, Share the Lord” by Bryan Jeffery Leech beautifully captures this
sense of sacred fellowship and unity.
As mature Christians seeking deeper spiritual understanding, we can find comfort and beauty in Leviticus 7. It reminds us of the privilege of true fellowship with our Creator—the holy communion we share in Christ. Historically, these ancient rituals now serve as meaningful signposts, helping us more fully grasp the depth of Christ’s sacrifice for us and the intimate fellowship He offers.
Today, consider your own spiritual offerings and communion with Christ and His Church. Are you bringing your very best to God, recognizing His rightful claim upon your gifts, time, talents, and resources?
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for tirelessly revealing Yourself through the sacred
Scripture.
Thank You that through Christ’s blood we have eternal communion with
You.
Help us respect Your holiness and sacrificial love. Teach us to bring
our best before You each day—not from compulsion, but from loving hearts
filled with gratitude.
Bind us closer as Your people, and unite us more deeply in peace and
love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.