Peace Offerings from the Herd
Study note
The peace offering was unique because it was the only offering where the worshiper got to eat part of the sacrifice. It was like a sacred meal shared between God, the priest, and the person bringing the offering. Unlike burnt offerings which had to be male animals, peace offerings could be either male or female. The fat and internal organs were burned on the altar because the fat was considered the richest part and belonged to God.
1 "When someone brings a peace offering from the cattle herd, it may be either a male or a female animal, but it must be completely healthy and without any flaws. The person must present it to the Lord." And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.
2 "The person must lay a hand on the animal's head and then slaughter it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. The priests, Aaron's sons, must then throw the blood against every side of the altar." And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
3 "From the peace gift, present these parts as a fire gift. Give them to the Lord. Give the fat around the inner organs. Give all the fat attached to them." And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
4 "both kidneys with the fat around them near the lower back, and the covering over the liver. These must be taken out along with the kidneys." And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
5 "Aaron's sons must then burn all these parts on the altar, on top of the burnt offering already on the blazing wood. It is a gift given by fire, and its aroma brings pleasure to the Lord." And Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
Peace Offerings from the Flock: Sheep
Study note
A sheep could also be used for a peace offering. The same basic rules applied: the person placed their hand on the animal's head, killed it at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and the priests splashed the blood on the altar. The fat tail of the sheep was specifically mentioned because sheep in the ancient Near East had large, fatty tails that were considered a special delicacy.
6 "Someone may bring a peace gift from the sheep or goat flock. It may be male or female. But it must be fully healthy with no flaws." And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
7 "If the person brings a lamb, it must be presented to the Lord." If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the LORD.
8 "The person must lay a hand on the animal's head and slaughter it in front of the Tabernacle. Aaron's sons must then throw the blood against every side of the altar." And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar.
9 "From the peace gift, give these parts as a fire gift to the Lord. Give the fat and the whole fat tail. Cut the tail off near the backbone. Give the fat around the inner organs. Give all the fat attached to them." And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat thereof, and the whole rump, it shall he take off hard by the backbone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
10 "both kidneys with the fat around them near the lower back, and the covering over the liver. These must be taken out along with the kidneys." And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
11 "The priest must burn all these parts on the altar. It is food presented as a gift given by fire to the Lord." And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Peace Offerings from the Flock: Goats
Study note
Goats could also be brought as peace offerings. The chapter ends with an important rule that applied to all Israelites for all time: they were never to eat the fat or the blood of any animal. The fat belonged to God, and the blood represented life itself. This rule taught the people to recognize that life belongs to God and that the best portion should always be given to him.
12 "If someone's offering is a goat, the person must present it to the Lord." And if his offering be a goat, then he shall offer it before the LORD.
13 "The person must lay a hand on the goat's head and slaughter it in front of the Tabernacle. Aaron's sons must then throw the blood against every side of the altar." And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.
14 "From the goat, give these parts as a fire gift to the Lord. Give the fat over the inner organs. Give all the fat attached to them." And he shall offer thereof his offering, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
15 "both kidneys with the fat around them near the lower back, and the covering over the liver. These must be taken out along with the kidneys." And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
16 "The priest must burn all these parts on the altar. It is food presented as a fire gift, and its aroma is pleasing. Every bit of fat belongs to the Lord." And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD's.
17 "This rule lasts forever. It is for you and every age to come. It applies no matter where you settle. Never eat any fat or any blood." It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.