Leviticus 3 1

Leviticus 3:1 kjv

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.

Leviticus 3:1 nkjv

'When his offering is a sacrifice of a peace offering, if he offers it of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.

Leviticus 3:1 niv

"?'If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the LORD an animal without defect.

Leviticus 3:1 esv

"If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.

Leviticus 3:1 nlt

"If you present an animal from the herd as a peace offering to the LORD, it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects.

Leviticus 3 verses

Leviticus 3 1 Meaning

Leviticus 3:1 introduces the laws concerning the peace offering (חַטָּאת, zevach sh'lamim), outlining the initial requirements when the sacrifice is an animal from the "herd" (cattle). It stipulates that if one offers a peace offering, it must be presented to the Lord without any physical defect, regardless of whether it is male or female. This offering signified communion and peace with God, allowing the worshipper to partake of the sacrifice.

Leviticus 3 1 Context

Leviticus chapter 3 details the regulations for the peace offering (zevach sh'lamim), a voluntary offering distinct from the burnt offering (Lev 1), which represented complete devotion, and the grain offering (Lev 2), which emphasized thanksgiving for sustenance. While previous offerings primarily dealt with atonement and complete surrender to God, the peace offering was unique in its focus on communion and fellowship. A portion of the offering was burned on the altar for the Lord, some parts were given to the priests, and significantly, a portion was returned to the worshipper to be eaten in a sacred meal, signifying a state of harmonious relationship with God. This verse, Leviticus 3:1, specifically introduces the regulations for an animal taken from the herd (cattle), preceding similar instructions for animals from the flock (sheep and goats) in subsequent verses.

Historically, this detailed sacrificial system provided a framework for a recently delivered Israel to maintain a holy relationship with their covenant God, Yahweh. In contrast to surrounding pagan rituals, which often involved appeasement of deities through self-mutilation or fertility rites, Israel's offerings were precisely defined by God, focused on holiness, and presented before the living God (YHWH) at the Tabernacle. The concept of offering a "blameless" animal set Israel's worship apart, emphasizing God's demand for perfection and anticipating the perfect, sinless sacrifice of Christ.

Leviticus 3 1 Word analysis

• And if his offering: This connective phrase links the peace offering to the previously detailed burnt and grain offerings, signifying its place within the broader sacrificial system prescribed by God for Israelite worship. It presents the beginning of instructions for a specific category of sacrifice.
• is a sacrifice of peace offering:
  • sacrifice: Hebrew: זֶבַח (zevach). This is a general term for an animal offering.
  • peace offering: Hebrew: שְׁלָמִים (sh'lamim). Derived from the root שָׁלֵם (shalom), meaning "peace, wholeness, well-being, completeness, prosperity." This offering was unique in that it celebrated and promoted a restored, complete, and harmonious relationship with God. It also fostered communal solidarity as parts were shared in a meal.
• if he offers it of the herd: Hebrew: מִן-הַבְּקָר (min habakar). This specifies the type of animal—cattle or oxen—from which the offering could be selected. It differentiates this category from the flock (sheep or goats) detailed later in the chapter, indicating variations in ritual application depending on the animal type.
• whether male or female: This is a distinctive feature of the peace offering (and some sin offerings, Lev 4), unlike the burnt offering which generally required a male (Lev 1:3). The gender neutrality for this offering highlights that its purpose of fellowship and communal celebration was not dependent on a specific gender representation.
• he shall offer it without blemish: Hebrew: תָּמִים (tamim). This crucial term means "perfect, complete, whole, sound, blameless."
  • Significance: This was a universal requirement for almost all animal sacrifices to God, signifying the perfection and holiness required for anything presented to Him. It symbolized the animal's physical integrity and ritual purity. Prophetically, it foreshadowed Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God, who offered Himself as the truly perfect and sinless sacrifice for humanity (Heb 9:14; 1 Pet 1:19), achieving the ultimate peace with God.
• before the Lord: Hebrew: לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (lifnei YHWH). This phrase denotes proximity to God's presence, specifically at the Tabernacle altar.
  • Significance: It underscores the direct nature of worship and sacrifice. The offering was not merely a ritual but a sacred act performed directly in the divine presence, making the interaction deeply spiritual and covenantal. It emphasized God as the ultimate recipient and sovereign over all sacrifices.

Leviticus 3 1 Bonus section

• The peace offering was divided among three parties: a portion was burnt on the altar for the Lord (primarily the fatty portions, representing the best, Lev 3:16-17), a share was given to the priests (breast and right thigh, Lev 7:31-34), and the rest was consumed by the worshipper and his household, typically within a day or two (Lev 7:15-18). This shared meal visually demonstrated the re-established communion.
• While primarily voluntary, specific peace offerings were prescribed for certain events, such as the completion of a Nazirite vow (Num 6:17) or at significant festivals.
• The fat (חֵלֶב, chelev) was considered "food of the offering made by fire" (אִשֶּׁה, isheh) and was exclusively reserved for God (Lev 3:16-17). This symbolizes offering the richest and choicest parts to the Lord, affirming His supreme value and sovereignty. Consuming the fat was strictly prohibited, as it belonged to God, representing the inner essence and life given to Him.
• The practice of the peace offering foreshadowed the New Testament concept of fellowship (κοινωνία, koinonia) believers share with God and one another through the perfect sacrifice of Christ (1 Cor 10:16-18), particularly evident in the Lord's Supper, a communal meal that symbolizes renewed covenant.

Leviticus 3 1 Commentary

Leviticus 3:1 introduces the "peace offering," a foundational act of worship distinct from the wholly consumed burnt offering or the grain offering. It marked a unique dimension of the Israelite sacrificial system, focusing on fellowship and communion with God and fellow worshippers. The allowance of both male and female animals from the "herd" broadens accessibility, yet the stringent demand for the animal to be "without blemish" remains paramount. This perfection reflects God's own perfect nature and His requirement for sanctity in approach. It prefigures the ultimate unblemished sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose sinless life and death establish true and lasting peace between God and humanity (Col 1:20; Heb 9:14). The act of offering "before the Lord" underscores that this sacred rite was a direct, consecrated interaction with the living God, intended to solidify the covenant relationship through shared fellowship and thanksgiving. Unlike propitiatory or atoning sacrifices, the peace offering was a joyful acknowledgment of God's benevolence and an act of partaking in His holy presence, symbolizing well-being in relationship with Him.