Leviticus 3 16

Leviticus 3:16 kjv

And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savor: all the fat is the LORD's.

Leviticus 3:16 nkjv

and the priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma; all the fat is the LORD's.

Leviticus 3:16 niv

The priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD's.

Leviticus 3:16 esv

And the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the LORD's.

Leviticus 3:16 nlt

and the priest will burn them on the altar. It is a special gift of food, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. All the fat belongs to the LORD.

Leviticus 3 verses

Leviticus 3 16 Meaning

Leviticus 3:16 establishes a crucial principle regarding the peace offering. It dictates that specific, vital fatty parts of the sacrificed animal must be entirely offered to God by fire on the altar. This act is described as "food" or "provision," "an offering by fire," and yielding "a pleasing aroma" to the Lord, signifying His acceptance and delight. The concluding phrase, "all fat is the Lord's," unequivocally asserts God's exclusive claim over the richest, choicest parts of the sacrifice, setting them apart as sacred and exclusively His property.

Leviticus 3 16 Context

Leviticus 3 outlines the regulations for the peace offering (Hebrew: zevah shelamim), one of the voluntary sacrifices in ancient Israel. Unlike the burnt offering (where the entire animal was consumed by fire), the peace offering involved sharing. God received His designated portion (fat, kidneys), the priests received their share, and the offerer and their household consumed the remaining meat as a communal meal. This offering typically signified thanksgiving, fulfilling a vow, or simply expressing voluntary fellowship with God. Leviticus 3:16 specifically emphasizes the fat's special status within this framework. Its burning on the altar represented giving the most esteemed and vital part back to God, underscoring His sovereignty, holiness, and the necessity of acknowledging His exclusive ownership of the most precious elements, even in an offering meant for communion. This distinction contrasted sharply with surrounding pagan practices where various parts of animals were used indiscriminately or in idolatrous rituals.

Leviticus 3 16 Word analysis

• And the priest: Hebrew: v'ha-kohen (וְהַכֹּהֵן). The "priest" (kohen) is the divinely appointed mediator, specifically chosen to handle holy things and carry out sacrificial rites as prescribed by God. His role underscores the necessity of proper protocol and divine authorization in approaching the Most High.

• shall burn them: Hebrew: hiqṭir (הִקְטִיר). This verb specifically means "to cause to smoke," "to make into smoke," or "to burn for an offering," as distinct from sārap which means to "destroy by fire." It denotes presenting an aroma to God, not annihilation, implying acceptance and divine reception.

• on the altar: Hebrew: al ha-mizbēaḥ (עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ). The "altar" (mizbeakh) was the designated sacred structure for sacrifices, signifying the consecrated place where humans could draw near to God according to His terms. It was the point of communion and expiation.

• as food, an offering by fire, a pleasing aroma: Hebrew: leḥem ishsheh reiach nichoach (לֶחֶם אִשֶּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ).

  • as food: Hebrew: leḥem (לֶחֶם). While literally "bread" or "food," in this cultic context, it signifies the Lord's "portion" or "due." It's an anthropomorphic expression, not that God literally needs to eat, but that He accepts and finds spiritual satisfaction or "sustenance" in the devoted offering of His people.
  • an offering by fire: Hebrew: ishsheh (אִשֶּׁה). This term specifically refers to any offering made by burning on the altar. It designates the manner of presentation, signifying the sacred process of conveying the offering to the divine realm.
  • a pleasing aroma: Hebrew: reiach nichoach (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ). Literally "a scent of rest" or "a soothing aroma." This signifies divine acceptance, delight, and pleasure in the offering. It's God's way of expressing that the sacrifice has been performed according to His will and is agreeable to Him, leading to reconciliation or fellowship.

• all the fat: Hebrew: kol hachelāv (כָּל הַחֵלֶב).

  • "All": emphasizes the complete dedication of this specific part.
  • "fat": Hebrew chelev refers to the thick, vital visceral fat around the internal organs (such as kidneys, omentum, covering of the entrails, and the fat tail of a sheep), not muscle fat or subcutaneous fat. This specific fat was considered the richest, most valuable, and purest part of the animal. It represented the "best" or essence. It was inherently different from the fat people might normally eat and was strictly forbidden for human consumption (Lev 7:23, 25).

• is the LORD's: Hebrew: la-YHWH (לַיהוָה). This denotes absolute divine ownership. God asserts His sovereign right to the best and most vital part of the offering, reinforcing His supreme position and holiness. What belongs to the Lord is sacred and set apart.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "And the priest shall burn them on the altar": This phrase defines the sacred ritual act. It specifies the officiant (priest) and the designated place (altar) for the offering. The burning transmutes the physical offering into a spiritual act of dedication and communion with the divine.
• "it is the food of the offering made by fire, for a sweet savour": (KJV, similar to ESV "as food, an offering by fire with a pleasing aroma.") This triplet of descriptions elucidates the theological significance of the offering. "Food" describes God's reception, "offering by fire" details the sacred method, and "sweet savor" denotes divine acceptance and satisfaction. These terms combine to paint a picture of an offering wholly agreeable to God.
• "all the fat is the LORD'S": This declaration is a definitive theological statement. It highlights divine sovereignty and property rights. By claiming "all" of the most valuable part (fat), God teaches His people about dedication, priority, and holiness. It reinforces that the most essential and richest aspects of life, represented by the fat, ultimately belong to and must be wholly given to the Creator.

Leviticus 3 16 Bonus section

The concept of the chelev (fat) being exclusively the Lord's can be extended to our spiritual lives. It symbolizes giving God the very essence, the "best," the vital and richest parts of our being—our prime time, our deepest devotion, our most profound obedience, our talents, and our resources—rather than just the leftovers or what we deem less valuable. This act is not for God's literal consumption, but for His spiritual pleasure and our ultimate good, leading to deeper communion and acceptance with Him, just as the physical fat symbolized His acceptance of the ancient peace offering.

Leviticus 3 16 Commentary

Leviticus 3:16 solidifies a core principle within the Mosaic sacrificial system: the exclusive holiness and dedication of the "fat" to the Lord, particularly within the communal peace offering. This specific fat, referring to the choicest, vital visceral portions, was forbidden for human consumption, underscoring its sacred status and divine claim. By consuming this fat through fire, God "receives" the "food" of the offering, signifying not a literal hunger, but His gracious acceptance and spiritual delight in the sacrifice offered according to His precise instructions. The resultant "pleasing aroma" confirms this divine favor.

Theologically, "all fat is the Lord's" teaches God's ultimate ownership and His right to the "best." It symbolizes that the richness, strength, and inner vitality of anything, including ourselves, ultimately belong to Him. This mandate instilled in the Israelites a profound respect for God's holiness and His rightful place as supreme over all creation. In the New Testament, this foreshadows Christ's sacrifice, which was the ultimate "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Eph 5:2), completely pleasing and acceptable, offered once for all (Heb 9:14, 10:10). Furthermore, believers are called to offer themselves as "living sacrifices," holy and pleasing to God (Rom 12:1), dedicating their whole being, their "best," in grateful worship.