Leviticus 7 17

Leviticus 7:17 kjv

But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.

Leviticus 7:17 nkjv

the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day must be burned with fire.

Leviticus 7:17 niv

Any meat of the sacrifice left over till the third day must be burned up.

Leviticus 7:17 esv

But what remains of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burned up with fire.

Leviticus 7:17 nlt

Any meat left over until the third day must be completely burned up.

Leviticus 7 verses

Leviticus 7 17 Meaning

Leviticus 7:17 prescribes that any portion of the flesh of the peace offering (or fellowship offering) that remains until the third day must not be eaten but must be completely destroyed by fire. This command underscores the finite duration of the sacred status of the consecrated meat, ensuring its timely consumption by authorized persons and preventing its potential defilement or abuse by becoming common. It distinguishes this particular offering's limited sanctity from other sacrifices that were entirely consumed on the altar or eaten immediately.

Leviticus 7 17 Context

Leviticus chapter 7 provides detailed regulations concerning the consumption and disposal of various parts of the different sin and peace offerings, following the general instructions in chapters 1-6. Specifically, verses 11-21 outline the specific procedures for the peace offering (also known as the sacrifice of well-being or fellowship offering), distinguishing between thanks offerings, vow offerings, and freewill offerings. Unlike the burnt offering, which was entirely consumed by fire, or the sin and trespass offerings, whose meat was eaten only by the priests, the peace offering was unique: a portion was burned on the altar for the LORD, a portion went to the priests, and a significant portion was returned to the offerer and his family to be eaten in a sacred feast. This particular verse (Lev 7:17) directly addresses the strict time limit for consuming the layperson's portion of the peace offering. The meat's sacred status was conditional and limited by time. Historically, this law taught the Israelites precision in obedience, reverence for holy things, and prevented both decay (hygiene) and potential abuse or superstitious reverence for leftover consecrated items. It underscored the ephemeral nature of the ritual's material sanctity.

Leviticus 7 17 Word analysis

• But: (Heb. וְ /ve) Connective, indicating a contrast or continuation of instructions. It transitions from what is permitted (eating within two days) to what is not permitted (eating on the third day).
• what remaineth: (Heb. יָתָר / yāthar) Meaning "to be left over," "to remain." Refers specifically to the leftover meat from the offering, emphasizing its residual status after the initial period for consumption.
• of the flesh: (Heb. בָּשָׂר / bāsār) "Flesh" or "meat." In this context, it refers to the edible portions of the animal sacrifice.
• of the sacrifice: (Heb. זֶבַח / zevach) Generally "sacrifice" or "slaughter offering." Here, contextually referring to the zevach shlamim (peace/fellowship offering) as detailed in the surrounding verses of Leviticus 7.
• on the third day: (Heb. הַיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי / hayyom hashlishi) Specifies the precise critical moment. This time frame is crucial and non-negotiable for the sacred meat's lifespan. Beyond the second day, its sanctity expired, and it transitioned from holy to defiled if not properly disposed of. This time limit could prevent decay and reinforce the understanding that God's holy provision should be consumed promptly and respectfully, not stored indefinitely.
• shall be burnt: (Heb. יִשָּׂרֵף / yissārēf) From the verb שָׂרַף (saraph), meaning "to burn," "to consume with fire." This is a command for destruction, not a sacrifice creating a fragrant offering. It signifies disposal of something that has become profane or dangerous, by having lost its sanctity.
• with fire: (Heb. בָּאֵשׁ / bā'ēsh) Explicitly mandates fire as the method of destruction, ensuring complete obliteration. Fire, often associated with divine judgment and purification in Scripture, here serves to definitively remove what has become unusable in a sacred context.

Words-group analysis:

• "what remaineth of the flesh of the sacrifice": This phrase defines the specific subject of the command – not the entire sacrifice, but the leftovers from a peace offering. It highlights the practicality of managing portions shared by the offerer, priests, and the altar.
• "on the third day": This strict time limit defines the period of acceptability for the sacred food. It implies that the 'holiness' of the meat from the sacrifice has a specific temporal boundary, after which it shifts from sacred to ritually defiled, thus unsuitable for consumption. This teaches respect for God's precise commands regarding sacred things and warns against treating them casually.
• "shall be burnt with fire": This phrase specifies the method of disposal, which is complete destruction. It signifies the irreversible shift from holy and edible to defiled and forbidden. Burning prevents anyone from eating it and emphasizes that its sacred purpose is concluded. This act protects the community from defilement and preserves the sanctity of the offering process.

Leviticus 7 17 Bonus section

The specific timeframe of "the third day" often resonates deeply in Christian theology, primarily through the resurrection of Christ "on the third day" (e.g., Matt 16:21). While a direct prophetic fulfillment of Leviticus 7:17 is not apparent, the use of "third day" as a definitive marker in God's dealings carries symbolic weight. In Leviticus, it signifies the culmination of a ritual cycle and the boundary of temporary sanctity. For Christ, the "third day" signifies the triumph over death and the definitive completion of the ultimate sacrifice, ushering in the permanent new covenant. The meat on the "third day" becoming "abomination" if consumed illustrates the perishable nature of the Mosaic covenant's material components, implicitly contrasting it with the eternal, non-perishable spiritual reality of Christ's sacrifice. Furthermore, this law indirectly teaches that while physical rituals served a purpose, their efficacy was always temporal and finite, pointing to a greater, everlasting spiritual reality that would one day be fully revealed.

Leviticus 7 17 Commentary

Leviticus 7:17 is a succinct yet profoundly significant injunction within the elaborate system of Israelite worship. It reveals God's meticulous care regarding His holiness and how it interacts with the material world. The core message is the precise boundary for the sacredness of the peace offering meat. While this sacrifice uniquely involved fellowship eating by the offerer and family, this permission was time-bound. Allowing the meat to persist into the "third day" transitioned it from a sanctified, blessed provision to something ritually impure, potentially bringing judgment upon those who would then partake. This wasn't merely a hygiene rule (though decay would occur); it was a theological declaration. Holiness, once imparted, did not last indefinitely in its physical manifestation; it had a divinely appointed expiration date. The mandate to "burn with fire" was not a further act of consecration, but of definitive destruction for something that had become an "abomination" if consumed (Lev 19:7). This protected against casual reverence or superstitious hoarding of holy leftovers, reminding the people that their fellowship with God, while joyous, required precise obedience.

In a broader sense, this command highlights the principle of acting in faith in a timely manner, not allowing spiritual opportunities or blessings to become stale or profaned by neglect or delay. It foreshadows how God's divine provision is best received and acted upon promptly, emphasizing the present nature of His grace.