The Peace, Communion, or Prosperity Offering
Leviticus 3
Leviticus 3
The Peace Offering. The third offering given in Leviticus is the peace offering (Heb. ‘Shelem’ meaning ‘communion’). It is the final sweet-savor offering. As the name implies, the offering represents Christ in death as the ground of communion for both God and man. It isn’t Christ making peace by putting away sin: that is the sin offering.1 The characteristic feature of the peace offering is that, while the whole animal was presented to Jehovah, only a part of the animal was offered up: specifically, the fat, kidneys, and membrane above the liver. The remainder was food for the priests! Further, it is called “it is the food of the offering by fire for a sweet odour”. In this way, the peace offering was the common food of God Himself and the priests. The various motives for the peace offering are given in the law of the peace offering (Lev. 7:11-36). It was usually offered in thanksgiving to Jehovah, or as payment for a vow. Another name for the peace offering is the “prosperity” offering. It was that which the Israelite offered in thanksgiving to God.2 The peace offering is closely connected with the burnt offering, but differs from it in that the burnt offering was Christ offered up wholly for God, while the peace offering is Christ in death as the basis of communion for God and man. The peace offering differs from the sin offering in that it does not deal with the expiation of sin. Hence, sin does not enter in, except as the backdrop. Therefore, the peace offering is a sweet-savor to Jehovah!
Peace Offerings of the Herd (3:1-5)
CHAPTER 3
1 And if his offering be a sacrifice of peace-offering, — if he present it of the herd, whether a male or female, he shall present it without blemish before Jehovah.
v.1 The Offering. As the burnt offering and meal offering, so the peace offering also was a voluntary offering. In its general form, the peace offering was not required, but was what a godly Israelite would bring out of the thanksgiving of his heart. Therefore, he would “present it… before Jehovah”. The first class of animals is cattle; the largest, which represents the highest character of understanding in worship. The peace offerings of cattle could be “a male or female” as opposed to the burnt offering which could only be a male. This brings out the broadness of the peace offering; a communion that all may share in. Yet the offering represented Christ, and therefore it must be “without blemish”.
2 And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and slaughter it at the entrance of the tent of meeting; and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood on the altar round about.
v.2 Identification, and the Blood. Like the burnt offering, the offeror was to lay his hand on the head of the offering, not to transfer guilt to the sacrifice as with the sin offering, but so the acceptability of the sacrifice might be transferred to the offeror! Yet death was required, and so the offeror must “slaughter it”. It was the priest’s work to handle the blood, which was “presented” and “sprinkled” on the altar of burnt offering and around it, because “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).
3 And he shall present of the sacrifice of peace-offering an offering by fire to Jehovah; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is on the inwards, 4 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the net above the liver which he shall take away as far as the kidneys; 5 and Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt-offering which lieth on the wood that is upon the fire: it is an offering by fire to Jehovah of a sweet odour.
vv.3-5 The Fat and the Fire.
Peace Offerings of Smaller Animals (3:6-17)
Smaller Animals. Now we arrive at a second class of animals for peace offerings; the smaller animals. Three types are given: small cattle, sheep, and goats. These smaller animals represent the a lower character of understanding in worship, but nevertheless a sweet order to Jehovah. A example of lesser understanding might be
Peace Offerings of Small Cattle (3:6)
6 And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace-offering to Jehovah be of small cattle, male or female, he shall present it without blemish.
v.6 Small Cattle.
Peace Offerings of Sheep (3:7-11)
7 If he present a sheep for his offering, then shall he present it before Jehovah, 8 and shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and slaughter it before the tent of meeting; and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about. 9 And he shall present of the sacrifice of peace-offering an offering by fire to Jehovah; the fat thereof, the whole fat tail, which he shall take off close by the backbone, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is on the inwards, 10 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the net above the liver which he shall take away as far as the kidneys; 11 and the priest shall burn it on the altar: it is the food of the offering by fire to Jehovah.
vv.7-11 Sheep.
Peace Offerings of Goats (3:12-17)
12 And if his offering be a goat, then he shall present it before Jehovah. 13 And he shall lay his hand on the head of it, and slaughter it before the tent of meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof on the altar round about. 14 And he shall present thereof his offering, an offering by fire to Jehovah; the fat that covereth the inwards and all the fat that is on the inwards, 15 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the net above the liver which he shall take away as far as the kidneys; 16 and the priest shall burn them on the altar: it is the food of the offering by fire for a sweet odour. All the fat shall be Jehovah’s. 17 It is an everlasting statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings: no fat and no blood shall ye eat.
vv.12-17 Goats.
- It is not a question merely of the word, but of the truth which is intended by it. In no way does it indicate the means of making peace for a sinner with God, though it may, as in the plural, imply things relating to peace, of which communion and thanksgiving are chief. The ground of peace for us laid in the blood of the cross so naturally suggested by the common rendering, is what one would guard souls against: it could only mislead. The thought seems to be a feast-offering. It is not here all going up to God… nor only has God His portion … but Christ is alike the means and object of communion. – W. Kelly. The Offerings.
- “Peace-offering” is a bad name: “sacrifices de prospérite” they are called in French. … The force of the offering is communion, no doubt, because the people eat of it; but the name has nothing to do with that. It is a prosperity-offering, either a thanksgiving, or for vows. The man brought his animal, laid his hand upon its head, killed it at the door of the tabernacle, and the priest took the blood, and sprinkled it upon the altar. The fat went to Jehovah, to be burnt upon the altar for a sweet savor. You cannot separate that from Christ offering Himself as a burnt offering. – J.N. Darby. Hints on the Sacrifices in Leviticus, Bible Treasury: Volume 9