Leviticus 3 5

Leviticus 3:5 kjv

And Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.

Leviticus 3:5 nkjv

and Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is on the wood that is on the fire, as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 3:5 niv

Then Aaron's sons are to burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering that is lying on the burning wood; it is a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Leviticus 3:5 esv

Then Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 3:5 nlt

and Aaron's sons will burn them on top of the burnt offering on the wood burning on the altar. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 3 verses

Leviticus 3 5 Meaning

Leviticus 3:5 details a specific step in offering a peace sacrifice to the Lord. It mandates that Aaron's sons, the consecrated priests, are to take the fat portions (specified in vv. 3-4) and burn them on the altar. Critically, these portions are to be placed on top of the continuous burnt offering, which is already upon the wood and perpetual fire. This act symbolizes that the peace offering is presented and made acceptable to God by resting upon the foundational and constant dedication of the burnt offering. The verse concludes by emphasizing that this offering, consumed by fire, is a "sweet savour" to the LORD, signifying His acceptance and pleasure in the worshipper's obedient act of fellowship and thanksgiving.

Leviticus 3 5 Context

Leviticus 3 outlines the regulations for the peace offering (Hebrew: zevach shelamim, "sacrifice of peace offerings"). This offering differs from the burnt offering (Lev 1), which was entirely consumed, and the sin/guilt offerings (Lev 4-5), which focused on atonement. The peace offering could be offered for thanksgiving, a vow, or simply a freewill offering. It was unique because portions were presented to the LORD (fat, kidneys), portions were given to the priests, and the remaining meat was returned to the offerer and their household to be eaten in a sacred communal meal, symbolizing fellowship and reconciliation with God. This verse, Lev 3:5, specifically addresses the disposal of the Lord's portion (the fat) of the peace offering, highlighting the precise manner in which it was to be presented: on top of the already burning daily burnt offering, indicating that acts of peace and fellowship with God rest upon prior atonement and continuous dedication. The context underscores meticulous adherence to divine instruction for sacred rituals to ensure divine acceptance and blessing.

Leviticus 3 5 Word analysis

• And Aaron’s sons (וְהִקְטִירוּ בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן, vehiqtiru bəney ʾaharon):

  • Aaron's sons: Signifies the designated Levitical priesthood, exclusively authorized to perform sacrificial rites. Their lineage confirms their divine appointment for handling holy things, separating them from lay individuals. This highlights the order and authority within God's covenant system.
  • shall burn it (וְהִקְטִירוּ, vehiqtiru): Derived from the root קטר (qatar), meaning "to cause to go up in smoke" or "to send up a fragrance." It is distinct from burning to consume (שרף, sarap). This implies making an offering fragrant, ascendant, and acceptable to God through smoke.

• on the altar (עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, ʿal hammizbeaḥ):

  • altar: The bronze altar in the courtyard of the Tabernacle. This was the consecrated, designated place for consuming sacrifices. Its holiness made any offering upon it acceptable. It symbolizes the meeting place between God and man through sacrifice.

• upon the burnt sacrifice (עַל הָעֹלָה, ʿal hāʿōlāh):

  • upon: Emphasizes placement on top of.
  • the burnt sacrifice (עֹלָה, ʿolāh): The daily burnt offering, which was a "continual burnt offering" (Exod 29:38-42). This sacrifice was wholly consumed, symbolizing total dedication and ongoing atonement. Placing the peace offering's fat on it suggests that fellowship (peace offering) is built upon and acceptable due to God's continuous provision for atonement and Israel's consistent dedication through the burnt offering. It also means the perpetual altar fire was sustained by this underlying burnt offering.

• which is on the wood that is on the fire:

  • on the wood (עֵצִים, ʿeṣîm): The fuel for the fire, constantly replenished by priests (Lev 6:12).
  • on the fire (הָאֵשׁ, hāʾēš): Refers to the sacred fire that consumed the offerings, originally supernaturally ignited by the LORD Himself (Lev 9:24) and commanded to burn perpetually (Lev 6:12-13). This perpetual fire symbolizes God's unceasing presence and acceptance of worship.

• it is an offering made by fire (אִשֶּׁה, ʾishsheh):

  • offering made by fire (ʾishsheh): A general term referring to any portion of a sacrifice consumed by fire on the altar. It designates the entire category of "food offerings" or "fire offerings" to the Lord, affirming this specific act as a legitimate part of Israelite worship.

• of a sweet savour unto the LORD (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ לַיהוָה, reiaḥ nîḥōaḥ layhwh):

  • sweet savour (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, reiaḥ nîḥōaḥ): Literally "an aroma of soothing," "a pleasing odor," or "an aroma of rest." This anthropomorphic expression signifies God's complete satisfaction and acceptance of the offering. It's not a literal smell for God, but a theological metaphor for His delight in obedience and genuine worship.
  • unto the LORD (לַיהוָה, layhwh): Specifies the sole recipient of the worship – Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This acts as an indirect polemic against any form of polytheism, emphasizing the exclusive devotion required by the one true God.

Leviticus 3 5 Bonus section

The significance of burning the fat portions: In ancient cultures, fat was often considered the best part of the animal, representing richness and vitality. By dedicating all the fat (especially the entrail fat) exclusively to the Lord and burning it, Israel demonstrated that the very "best" belonged to God. This prevented its consumption by humans, signifying its unique sacredness as God's portion. The act of offering it by fire to rise as a "sweet savour" speaks not only of God's acceptance but also of the worshipper's complete surrender and recognition of God's supreme authority and worth. This meticulous offering pattern emphasized the difference between a holy God and humanity, requiring a precise approach to divine worship, contrasting with arbitrary human attempts at connecting with the divine. The burning of fat specifically released an aromatic smoke, providing the sensory element to the idea of a "pleasing aroma" in that ancient, pre-scientific understanding.

Leviticus 3 5 Commentary

Leviticus 3:5 describes a crucial step in the peace offering ritual, emphasizing divine order, priestly responsibility, and God's receptiveness. The specific command for Aaron's sons to burn the fat signifies the exclusive role of the consecrated priesthood in mediating between God and His people through sacrifice. This wasn't a task for just anyone, reinforcing the sanctity and strictness of the Mosaic covenant's ritual laws. The placement of the fat "upon the burnt sacrifice" highlights a significant theological truth: fellowship with God (represented by the peace offering) is predicated upon ongoing atonement and complete dedication to God (represented by the burnt offering). The continual burnt offering with its ever-burning fire symbolized God's persistent holiness, His constant presence, and the necessity of perpetual atonement for sinful humanity. It served as a base layer upon which other forms of worship could be built.

The phrase "sweet savour unto the LORD" is paramount. Found frequently in the Mosaic law, it speaks of divine approval and pleasure. It's not that God literally "smells" the smoke, but rather that He accepts the offering presented according to His command and with the right heart. This acceptance is tied to obedience and covenant faithfulness. In contrast, unauthorized or improperly offered sacrifices were rejected (e.g., Cain's offering, Nadab and Abihu's strange fire). Ultimately, this imagery foreshadows Christ's perfect, self-sacrificial offering on the cross, which the New Testament describes as a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Eph 5:2), truly pleasing and fully acceptable, reconciling humanity to God for all time.

Practical usage:

• Our acts of fellowship with God (e.g., prayer, communal worship) are built upon the foundation of Christ's perfect and continuous sacrifice for us.
• Genuine worship, marked by obedience to God's will and offered from a right heart, is pleasing and acceptable to God.