Leviticus 3:1-5 meaning

In Leviticus 3:1-5, we find the procedure for presenting a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD. These peace offerings were an expression of communion between God, the worshipper, and the community through having a shared meal and a harmonious relationship.

The passage begins with the statement, Now if his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings, if he is going to offer out of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without defect before the LORD (v. 1) The word peace here is the Hebrew word “shalom.” Shalom is a word that could be defined as “peace,” “completeness,” “harmony,” or “everything as it should be.” Rashi, an 11^th century rabbinic commentator says,

“Peace offerings are so called because they bring peace (shalom) into the world. Another explanation is: they are called peace offerings is because through them there is “peace” (harmony and lack of envy) to the altar, to the priests and to the owners since all these receive a portion.”
(Rashi on Leviticus 1:1)

These initial instructions in Leviticus 3:1-5 only apply if the animal being sacrificed is from the herd (a cow or ox), either male or female, allowing the worshipper flexibility, signifying a personal choice in this act of worship. Later in Leviticus 3:6-11, Moses will address the scenario where the sacrifice of peace offerings is from the flock (a lamb), then finally in Leviticus 3:12-17, the instructions are given for peace offerings that are goats.

The condition that the animal must be without defect before the LORD (v. 1b) speaks to the requirement for purity and perfection in the worshipper's approach to God, foreshadowing the ultimate perfect sacrifice in the person of Jesus Christ who was sinless and died without any broken bones (2 Corinthians 5:21, John 19:36).

In an intimate gesture of connection, the worshipper shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and slay it at the doorway of the tent of meeting (v. 2). This laying on of hands is not a mere formality; it symbolizes the transference of the individual's identity (and in the case of a sin offering, the individual’s sins) to the innocent animal.

The act of slaying the animal at the doorway of the tent of meeting (v. 2) indicates a transition from the realm of the common to the holy (the “set apart”), where God’s presence is encountered. Aaron’s sons the priests now continue the service, as they sprinkle the blood around on the altar (v. 2), signifying the sanctification and redemption which the blood represents. The book of Hebrews asserts that blood is always necessary to make atonement for sin and pave the way to forgiveness:

“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
(Hebrews 9:22)

The offering's innermost parts, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails (v. 3), are designated for the LORD. The Hebrew word translated fat is also translated “best” as in Numbers 18:29. Fat in animals indicates abundance of food. By sacrificing the fat there is an acknowledgment of giving back abundance to God, while saving the nourishing parts for the people.

Furthermore, the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, which is on the loins, and the lobe of the liver (v. 4) are also to be offered. By offering only these specific entrails, the remaining edible meat of the offering would be food for the priests and the offerors as long as it was eaten by the third day (Leviticus 7:15-18).

These entrails would have burned very quickly on the altar due to the fat being highly flammable. This would have allowed for many sacrifices to be offered in a single day before the need to remove the ashes would arise.

Completing the ritual, Aaron’s sons shall offer it up in smoke on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire; it is an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD (v. 5).

Rabbinic tradition interprets the statement that the peace offering should be offered “on the altar on the burnt offering” to mean that the continual burnt offering was the first sacrifice offered each day, and thus each subsequent grain or peace offering would be placed on the altar on the burnt offering.

The procedures for burnt offerings, or more literally “offerings of ascent,” are given in Leviticus 1. The burning of these offerings produces smoke and depicts the ascent of the worshipper's prayer, offering, and dedication to God, a soothing aroma to the LORD that symbolizes divine satisfaction and acceptance.

All of the sacrifices occurred at the Tent of Meeting, otherwise known as the Tabernacle. It was a sacred tent that served as a portable sanctuary for God to live in among His people. It was first constructed about 500 years prior to the 1^st temple that King Solomon built, which was completed in 957 BC.

It was constructed by the children of Israel after their escape from Egypt. After the sin of the golden calf, God responded to Moses’s prayer asking the Lord to pardon their sin and “go along in our midst” (Exodus 34:9) by making a covenant with Israel where He would live among them. The Tabernacle served as this physical place where His presence resided (Exodus 40:34-38).

Exodus 25-31details the Tabernacle’s elaborate blueprint and use of the sacred objects within it: the Ark of the Covenant; the Table of Showbread; the Golden Lampstand; the Altar of Incense; the Brass Laver; and the Bronze Altar outside the doorway for an offering made by fire.

Hebrews 8:5says that this Tabernacle was a copy of heavenly things. The concept of the Tabernacle and Temple being a sanctified space for God’s presence to dwell points to the bodies of New Testament believers being a temple or dwelling place of God’s Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16).

The sacrifice of peace offerings, as outlined in Leviticus 3:1-5, encapsulates the essence of worship in ancient Israel. It is not merely a transaction or a duty; it is a ritual that reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel—a relationship marked by peace, fellowship, harmony, and shared blessings.

God promised that if Israel kept the provisions of the covenant/treaty, they would be blessed (Deuteronomy 7:12-14). Much of this was the practical consequence of a society based on loving one’s neighbor as one’s self. This leads to harmony and collaboration. It leads to “shalom” or peace.

In the broader narrative of Scripture, the peace offerings point to the peace and reconciliation that Jesus Christ would bring, embodying the true and perfect peace offering that eternally unites God with His people (Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 10:10). The Passover lamb is also a sacrifice of peace offerings with Jesus being the true Passover lamb that was slain.