Leviticus 3 2

Leviticus 3:2 kjv

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.

Leviticus 3:2 nkjv

And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of meeting; and Aaron's sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood all around on the altar.

Leviticus 3:2 niv

You are to lay your hand on the head of your offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then Aaron's sons the priests shall splash the blood against the sides of the altar.

Leviticus 3:2 esv

And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron's sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar.

Leviticus 3:2 nlt

Lay your hand on the animal's head, and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Then Aaron's sons, the priests, will splatter its blood against all sides of the altar.

Leviticus 3 verses

Leviticus 3 2 Meaning

Leviticus 3:2 describes key actions in the peace offering ritual. It outlines the worshipper's act of identifying with the sacrifice by laying their hand on the animal's head, followed by the act of slaughtering the animal. This takes place at a specific holy location: "the door of the tent of meeting." The verse concludes with the essential priestly action of sprinkling the animal's blood "upon the altar round about." This entire sequence is foundational to establishing and maintaining fellowship with God through the shedding and application of blood, a life-giving element essential for reconciliation and peace.

Leviticus 3 2 Context

Leviticus chapter 3 details the regulations for the peace offering, known as the shelamim (שְׁלָמִים) offering. Unlike the burnt offering which was wholly consumed by God, or the sin/guilt offerings that addressed specific transgressions, the peace offering was primarily an act of thanksgiving, a votive offering (fulfilling a vow), or a freewill offering expressing general communion and fellowship with God. It was the only offering where a portion was given to God (the fat portions), a portion to the priests, and a portion returned to the worshiper for a communal meal. This verse, therefore, describes the preparatory and priestly acts that enable this unique form of fellowship and "peace" (shalom) to be established, facilitating a sacred meal between God, the priests, and the offerer. Historically, this ritual provided a tangible means for ancient Israelites to express their gratitude, devotion, and ongoing relationship with a holy God within the prescribed Tabernacle worship system, prefiguring the deeper communion possible through Christ.

Leviticus 3 2 Word analysis

• And he shall lay (וְסָמַךְ - vəsamakh): From the verb samakh (סָמַךְ), meaning "to lean upon," "to rest upon," or "to ordain." In the context of sacrifice, it signifies the act of leaning heavily, implying a profound identification and possibly a transfer of the worshiper's identity or ownership to the animal. It also conveys the idea that the animal stands in place of the offerer. This action marks the offerer's personal involvement and commitment to the offering.

• his hand (יָדוֹ - yado): A universal symbol of one's being, actions, and intent. The act of laying the hand signifies the entire person identifying with the sacrifice. It represents a physical and spiritual connection.

• upon the head (עַל רֹאשׁ - ʿal roʾsh): The head often symbolizes the whole person, their seat of understanding, will, and leadership. Placing the hand on the head therefore means that the entire identity, life, and perhaps even the "merit" or purpose of the worshiper are being symbolically transferred to or identified with the animal.

• of his offering (קָרְבָּנוֹ - korbano): From qorbān (קָרְבָּן), meaning "that which is brought near." This term emphasizes that the animal is a gift, brought close to God, indicating a desire for rapprochement and communion with the divine. It is the worshiper's personal gift.

• and kill it (וְשָׁחַט - vəshachaṭ): From the verb shaḥaṭ (שָׁחַט), meaning "to slaughter" in a ritualistic manner. This act is the ultimate sign of sacrifice, indicating that a life must be taken for atonement and for the subsequent fellowship. It underscores the cost of approaching a holy God.

• at the door (פֶּתַח - petaḥ): Literally "opening" or "entrance." This precise location highlights accessibility and yet separation. It is the boundary between the common and the sacred, where the act of atonement takes place before entering God's closer presence.

• of the tent of meeting (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - ohel moʿed): The Tabernacle, God's dwelling place and the divinely appointed "tent of appointment" or "tent of revelation," where God met with His people. This location stresses the sanctity of the ritual and its performance in God's presence, signifying that the sacrifice enables direct interaction and meeting with God.

• and Aaron's sons (וּבְנֵי אַהֲרֹן - uvənei aharon): Specific designation of the authorized priests. This highlights the established, divinely ordained priesthood as the exclusive channel for mediating worship and facilitating access to God, underscoring the necessity of a mediator.

• the priests (הַכֹּהֲנִים - hakohanim): The professional ministers in charge of sacred duties, appointed to draw near to God and facilitate Israel's approach. Their role in handling the blood is critical to the efficacy of the offering.

• shall sprinkle (וְזָרְקוּ - vəzarqu): From the verb zaraq (זָרַק), which implies a forceful throwing or casting, often of a fluid, not merely a gentle dripping. This vigorous action emphasizes the thorough application of the blood, symbolizing its pervasive power in sanctification, purification, and appeasement, covering the altar completely.

• the blood (אֶת־הַדָּם - et-haddām): Central to all sacrifices. As stated in Lev 17:11, "the life of the flesh is in the blood." Therefore, the blood represents the life offered, the very essence of existence. Its application is crucial for cleansing and making atonement.

• upon the altar (עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - ʿal-hammizbeaḥ): The altar of burnt offering, where sacrifices were made to God. It symbolizes God's table, a place of encounter and communion, where God's justice is met, and His holiness is upheld.

• round about (סָבִיב - saviv): Meaning "all around," "on every side." This indicates a complete and thorough application of the blood to the altar, ensuring full consecration, purification, and acceptance. It signifies wholeness and completion in the ritual's efficacy.

Words-group analysis:

• "he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering": This phrase encapsulates the worshipper's personal involvement, identification, and the symbolic transfer of guilt or peace to the animal. It demonstrates the profound connection between the offerer and the sacrifice, essential for the offering's acceptance. It shows the participatory nature of Old Testament worship.

• "and kill it at the door of the tent of meeting": This segment emphasizes the precise, ritualistic killing, underscoring that without the shedding of life, there is no reconciliation. The specific holy location signifies that the life offered is in God's immediate presence and sanctioned by Him as the proper means of approach. It marks the point of death, symbolizing the death required for peace.

• "and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about": This describes the vital role of the mediation and the centrality of blood. Only the designated priests could handle the blood, which carries the life, and apply it to the altar. The "sprinkling round about" signifies the full, efficacious, and complete purification and atonement enabled by the blood, establishing an accepted pathway for fellowship with God.

Leviticus 3 2 Bonus section

The seemingly small details in this verse, like "laying his hand," "at the door," and "round about," are not arbitrary. They speak to God's demand for intentionality, specific methodology, and comprehensive ritual execution in approaching Him. This highlights divine order and the need for God-ordained access. While the New Covenant establishes a new, direct access through Christ's perfect sacrifice, the principles of identification with the substitute and the purifying power of shed blood remain constant, providing a theological bridge. This verse sets the stage for the communal aspect of the peace offering where God, the priests, and the offerer partake, signifying established fellowship, a fellowship now experienced in the New Covenant through communion with Christ and one another.

Leviticus 3 2 Commentary

Leviticus 3:2 concisely portrays the foundational actions in the Israelite peace offering, which highlight principles enduring throughout the biblical narrative. The act of the worshiper laying a hand on the animal’s head is not merely ceremonial; it signifies profound personal identification with the sacrifice. This identifies the animal as belonging to the worshipper and, more significantly, standing as their proxy. The subsequent ritualistic slaughter, done at the tabernacle's entrance, underscores the absolute necessity of a life surrendered – the wages of sin being death (Rom 6:23).

The priestly action of applying the blood is paramount. The blood, representing life, is the prescribed medium for atonement and cleansing. Its vigorous sprinkling "round about" the altar ensures comprehensive purification and consecration of the altar, thereby facilitating the holy fellowship central to the peace offering. The entire sequence, from personal identification to mediated blood application, serves as a vivid prefigurement of Christ. Just as the animal symbolically bore the worshiper’s identification, Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1:29), became identified with our sins, making ultimate peace with God through His once-for-all sacrifice and the shedding of His precious blood on the "altar" of the cross (Heb 9:11-14, 10:10). Our peace and access to God are now permanently secured through Him.