Leviticus 3:6 kjv
And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
Leviticus 3:6 nkjv
'If his offering as a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD is of the flock, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
Leviticus 3:6 niv
"?'If you offer an animal from the flock as a fellowship offering to the LORD, you are to offer a male or female without defect.
Leviticus 3:6 esv
"If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering to the LORD is an animal from the flock, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
Leviticus 3:6 nlt
"If you present an animal from the flock as a peace offering to the LORD, it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects.
Leviticus 3 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 1:3 | If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish... | Requirement for unblemished male for burnt offering. |
| Lev 1:10 | And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice, he shall bring it a male without blemish. | Unblemished male required for flock burnt offering. |
| Lev 3:1 | And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd... | Context for peace offering from the herd. |
| Lev 3:12 | And if his offering be a goat, then he shall offer it before the LORD. | Specific instruction for a goat peace offering. |
| Lev 7:11-18 | And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD. ... | Detailed regulations for peace offerings (thank, vow, freewill). |
| Lev 22:19-21 | Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. ... | General requirement for unblemished animals for vows/freewill. |
| Num 6:14 | And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish... | Nazirite vow includes unblemished peace offering. |
| Deut 17:1 | Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is a blemish... | General prohibition against blemished sacrifices. |
| Mal 1:8 | And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? | Condemnation of offering blemished sacrifices to God. |
| Mal 1:14 | But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: | God curses those who give less than their best. |
| Rom 12:1 | I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God... | Christians as living sacrifices, unblemished in character. |
| Eph 5:2 | And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. | Christ's self-sacrifice as a perfect, acceptable offering. |
| Heb 7:26 | For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; | Description of Christ's perfect and sinless nature. |
| Heb 9:14 | How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God... | Christ's spotless sacrifice for cleansing conscience. |
| Heb 10:1-4 | For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices... | Old Testament sacrifices were a shadow of Christ's perfect one. |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, ... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: | Redemption through Christ's perfect, spotless sacrifice. |
| 1 Jn 1:3 | That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. | Christian fellowship rooted in fellowship with God. |
| 1 Jn 1:7 | But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. | Fellowship with God enabled by Christ's cleansing. |
| Phil 2:17 | Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. | Paul views his life as an offering, paralleling sacrifice. |
| Col 1:21-22 | And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: | Reconciliation through Christ makes believers holy before God. |
Leviticus 3 verses
Leviticus 3 6 Meaning
Leviticus 3:6 details a specific instruction for bringing a peace offering to the LORD, specifying that if the sacrifice comes from the flock (sheep or goats), it can be either male or female, but crucially, it must be offered without blemish. This offering, known as the shelamim or fellowship offering, signified peace, wholeness, and fellowship between the worshiper, God, and the community. The unblemished requirement underscores God's demand for purity and perfection in approaching Him and foreshadows the spotless sacrifice of Christ.
Leviticus 3 6 Context
Leviticus chapter 3 details the regulations for the peace offering (Hebrew: zebah shelamim), a voluntary offering representing fellowship, thanksgiving, or the fulfillment of a vow. This type of sacrifice was unique as significant portions were returned to the worshiper and priest for a communal meal, symbolizing peace and shared fellowship with God. Verses 1-5 address peace offerings from the herd (cattle), while verses 6-11 cover offerings from the flock (sheep and goats), and verses 12-17 specifically deal with goats. Historically, the peace offering was distinct from burnt offerings (entirely consumed for atonement/devotion) and sin/guilt offerings (for specific sins). It emphasized the relational aspect of Israel's covenant with Yahweh, fostering communion rather than merely seeking forgiveness. Unlike the surrounding pagan practices where deities might be appeased by any offering, Israel's God demanded specific, unblemished animals, emphasizing His holiness, distinction, and sovereignty, and reinforcing Israel's unique identity as a holy nation. This ritual also underscored that genuine fellowship with God required a perfect sacrifice, preparing the people for the ultimate perfect offering in Christ.
Leviticus 3 6 Word analysis
- And if his offering: The phrase initiates instruction concerning the shelamim, the peace offering, highlighting its voluntary nature ("if").
- for a sacrifice of peace offering: Hebrew: zebah shelamim. Zebah generally refers to a slain sacrifice. Shelamim derives from the root shalom, meaning peace, wholeness, well-being, or completeness. This sacrifice was made to establish or affirm a state of shalom with God and the community, rather than to atone for sin (like the sin offering). It celebrates a right relationship with God.
- unto the LORD: Hebrew: l'YHWH. This designates Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, as the sole recipient of the offering. This specific direction emphasized the exclusivity of Israel's worship and served as a polemic against polytheistic worship where sacrifices were offered to multiple gods.
- be of the flock: Hebrew: min-haTzon. This specifies the animal source as either sheep or goats, contrasting with "of the herd" (cattle) mentioned earlier in the chapter. It implies that these offerings were accessible to those with fewer resources, yet still subject to strict quality requirements.
- whether it be a male or female: This characteristic is distinctive for the peace offering compared to the burnt offering (which often specified a male). It indicates flexibility and highlights the voluntary nature and broader purposes of the peace offering, allowing for a wider selection of available animals from one's flock.
- he shall offer it: Hebrew: yaqrivennu. From the root qarab, meaning "to draw near" or "present." It emphasizes the act of bringing the animal directly into God's presence at the altar, signifying devotion and obedience.
- without blemish: Hebrew: tamim. This crucial word means "whole," "perfect," "sound," "unblemished," "blameless," or "complete." It signifies that the animal must be physically perfect, free from any deformity, disease, or defect. This standard conveyed God's absolute holiness and His demand for the best from His people, signifying pure devotion. The spiritual implication is that only a perfect sacrifice could truly mediate fellowship with a perfect God, foreshadowing Jesus Christ, the lamb "without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet 1:19).
- Sacrifice of Peace Offering: This group of words denotes a unique form of worship focusing on communion and gratitude. It allowed the worshiper, priest, and God to "share" a meal (parts of the sacrifice were eaten), reinforcing the covenant relationship. This contrasted sharply with offerings to pagan deities, which were often seen as means of manipulation or appeasement without true relational depth.
- Of the flock, whether it be a male or female, without blemish: This phrase details the required attributes of the animal. The "flock" part suggests inclusivity, making the peace offering accessible to more people. The permission for either gender underscores that the emphasis is not primarily on strength or procreative potential (as in some burnt offerings), but on the relational purpose. The "without blemish" part is a universal requirement for most Israelite sacrifices, representing the intrinsic value, holiness, and perfection required by God and foreshadowing the perfection of Christ's ultimate sacrifice (Heb 9:14).
Leviticus 3 6 Bonus section
The "peace offering" (shelamim) allowed for a communal meal after the ritual burning of specific fat portions to the LORD. This practice of shared eating distinguished it from other sacrifices. The offerer, along with family and friends, consumed most of the meat, while the priests received certain portions (the breast and the right thigh). This communal aspect symbolized the reconciliation and fellowship enjoyed between God and His people, as well as among the people themselves. The prohibition against eating fat and blood, also emphasized in chapter 3, served to reinforce God's exclusive claim on these elements, as they represented the life force and the choicest parts. The spiritual "unblemished" aspect of New Testament living includes offering our very lives as "living sacrifices," free from the defilement of sin, and maintaining peace (shalom) with God through Christ and with others.
Leviticus 3 6 Commentary
Leviticus 3:6 describes a crucial aspect of the peace offering, a voluntary sacrifice given out of thanksgiving, a vow, or a freewill offering. If the animal offered for this sacrifice comes from the flock, meaning a sheep or a goat, it may be either a male or a female. However, the absolute prerequisite, like all primary sacrifices to the LORD, is that it must be "without blemish." This standard speaks profoundly to God's character: He is holy and perfect, and therefore, demands perfection in what is offered to Him. This requirement was not merely aesthetic; it conveyed theological truth about the uncompromised nature of devotion and foreshadowed the necessity of a flawless sacrifice—ultimately found in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who was without spot or blemish. The peace offering fostered communion and shared meals between the worshiper, priest, and God, symbolizing established peace and wholehearted relationship, which can only truly flourish when founded on absolute purity and devotion, as exemplified by the unblemished offering.