Leviticus 3 Overview
Leviticus 3 explains the peace offering. Whether the animal comes from the herd or flock, it must be without blemish. The worshipper lays a hand upon the offering, the animal is killed, the priests sprinkle its blood, and specified fat portions are burned upon the altar. The chapter repeatedly states that all the fat is the LORD’s and closes with a statute prohibiting Israel from eating fat or blood.
Before you read Leviticus 3
Coming from
Leviticus 2 described the grain offering and the portions given to God and the priests.
In this chapter
The chapter gives the procedure for peace offerings from cattle, sheep, or goats.
Leads into
Leviticus 4 introduces sin offerings for unintentional sin by priests, the congregation, rulers, and common people.
Key understanding
Leviticus 3 explains the peace offering. Whether the animal comes from the herd or flock, it must be without blemish. The worshipper lays a hand upon the offering, the animal is killed, the priests sprinkle its blood, and specified fat portions are burned upon the altar. The chapter repeatedly states that all the fat is the LORD’s and closes with a statute prohibiting Israel from eating fat or blood.
Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper
Truth 1
The peace offering is voluntary worship governed by precise instructions.
Truth 2
The animal must be without blemish, reinforcing the seriousness of what is brought before God.
Truth 3
Blood is sprinkled around the altar and distinguished from the fat portions burned to the LORD.
Truth 4
Specific internal fat portions belong to the LORD in this sacrificial system.
Truth 5
The closing prohibition on eating blood anticipates the fuller explanation in Leviticus 17.
Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper
Connection 1
Leviticus 7 gives further regulations concerning peace offerings and the eating of sacrificial meat.
Connection 2
Leviticus 17 explains that the life of the flesh is in the blood and that blood is given upon the altar for atonement.
Connection 3
Deuteronomy repeatedly describes sacrificial meals and rejoicing before the LORD.
Connection 4
Romans 5:1 teaches peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ, a greater reality than the fellowship symbolized in Israel’s sacrifices.
What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper
Keep this clear 1
The peace offering should not be reduced to a modern emotional idea of inner calm; it is a concrete sacrificial category.
Keep this clear 2
The prohibition of fat concerns the specified sacrificial fat and should be read carefully in its covenant context.
Keep this clear 3
The blood prohibition has special theological significance in Leviticus and is not merely a health regulation.
Keep this clear 4
Participation in sacrifice never replaces faith; the ritual belongs to Israel’s covenant worship.
Read Leviticus 3 watching for…
The repeated laying on of hands.
The blood sprinkled around the altar.
Which fat portions are burned.
The phrase “all the fat is the LORD’s.”
The final prohibition concerning fat and blood.