Leviticus 7 31

Leviticus 7:31 kjv

And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.

Leviticus 7:31 nkjv

And the priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.

Leviticus 7:31 niv

The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons.

Leviticus 7:31 esv

The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be for Aaron and his sons.

Leviticus 7:31 nlt

Then the priest will burn the fat on the altar, but the breast will belong to Aaron and his descendants.

Leviticus 7 verses

Leviticus 7 31 Meaning

Leviticus 7:31 dictates the distribution of specific parts from the peace (or fellowship) offering. It mandates that the choice fatty portions are to be entirely dedicated to God by being consumed by fire upon the altar, symbolizing a "pleasing aroma" and God's supreme claim over the sacrifice. In contrast, the breast portion of the animal is designated as a provision for the Levitical priesthood, specifically Aaron and his male descendants, for their sustenance and livelihood. This verse highlights both the precise allocation of sacred offerings according to divine instruction and God's unwavering provision for those dedicated to His service in the Tabernacle.

Leviticus 7 31 Context

Leviticus 7:31 is found within the broader context of chapters 1-7, which meticulously detail the regulations for the various sacrifices in ancient Israelite worship at the Tabernacle. Specifically, this verse belongs to the section dealing with the peace offering (Lev 7:11-36). The peace offering (Hebrew: shelamim) was unique among the offerings as it primarily celebrated fellowship and communion—either thanksgiving to God, a vow fulfilled, or a freewill offering. It was the only offering from which the worshiper, after parts were offered to God and portions given to the priests, could partake in a communal meal before the Lord.

The chapter specifies how different parts of the animal are distributed to emphasize God's absolute ownership and to provide for the priestly class. This particular verse reinforces that the choicest part (the fat) belongs exclusively to YHWH as an offering by fire, symbolizing complete dedication and pleasing aroma. Simultaneously, a significant portion (the breast) is designated to the priests, Aaron and his sons, securing their livelihood and highlighting God's faithfulness in supporting those set apart for sacred service. This system underscored God's holiness, His detailed requirements for worship, and His care for the physical needs of His appointed mediators. The meticulous detail stands in stark contrast to pagan rituals, emphasizing YHWH's unique requirements for sacred communion and the rightful distribution of cultic provisions.

Leviticus 7 31 Word analysis

• And: Serves as a conjunction, connecting this specific instruction regarding the peace offering to the preceding guidelines, especially those related to presenting the offering and its various components.
• the priest: Hebrew: kohen (כֹּהֵן). Refers exclusively to a male descendant of Aaron, consecrated for sacred service within the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). The priest's role was central; he alone could perform the necessary ritual actions of offering sacrifices and distributing their portions, acting as a mediator between God and the Israelites.
• shall burn: Hebrew: qatar (קָטַר). This specific verb means to "cause to smoke" or "turn into smoke by burning a sacrifice." It is distinct from saraph (שָׂרַף), which means to consume by fire in a general sense. Qatar emphasizes the intentional raising of a fragrant smoke to God, implying an offering that ascends and is spiritually received by the Divine as a "pleasing aroma" (Lev 1:9, Exod 29:18). It's an act of dedication, not merely destruction.
• the fat: Hebrew: chelev (חֵלֶב). This refers to the specific internal suet or choice fatty portions, not all fat from the animal. In Leviticus, chelev usually designates the fat covering the entrails, kidneys, and parts of the liver. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, fat was often considered the richest, most flavorful, and best part of an animal. By reserving all this chelev exclusively for YHWH (Lev 3:16-17), God asserted His claim to the finest and best, symbolizing complete consecration of the animal's vitality and essence to Him.
• on the altar: Hebrew: mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ). Specifically refers to the bronze Altar of Burnt Offering situated in the courtyard of the Tabernacle. This was the primary site for all sacrifices requiring burning by fire. It symbolized God's holy presence and was the designated point of interface where humanity could draw near to God through propitiatory and dedicatory offerings. The burning of the fat upon it underscored direct presentation to the divine.
• but: Introduces a contrasting clause, distinguishing the divine portion from the priestly portion.
• the breast: Hebrew: chazeh (חָזֶה). Refers to the breast portion of the animal. This was specifically presented as a "wave offering" (tenupah) in Lev 7:30-34. The wave offering involved the priest symbolically presenting the offering to God by waving it before the altar, acknowledging God as the ultimate giver. After this symbolic presentation to God, it was then ritually given back to the priests for their consumption, representing God's provision. It was a significant, substantial portion for their nourishment.
• shall be: Conveys a legal and divinely mandated right or statute. It signifies a perpetual and undeniable allocation set forth by God.
• Aaron's and his sons': This refers to Aaron, the first appointed High Priest, and his legitimate male descendants, who comprised the hereditary priestly lineage (the Kohenim). This designation makes it clear that this provision was not temporary or for just one priest but for the entire authorized priestly family. It underlines God's consistent care and establishment of a reliable source of sustenance for those consecrated to His service, who, unlike the other tribes, received no tribal land inheritance.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "And the priest shall burn the fat on the altar": This phrase delineates the unnegotiable, sacred part of the peace offering designated solely for God. It highlights God's demand for the choicest portion, symbolizing total surrender and acknowledgment of His preeminence. The "burning" signifies spiritual ascent and divine consumption, transforming a physical offering into a spiritual act of worship and dedication, pleasing to the Lord. This act underscored that certain parts of creation, the "best," belong to the Creator alone and are not for human consumption.
• "but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'": This contrasting clause defines the portion given to God's dedicated servants. It reveals God's generous and practical provision for His priesthood. After being presented to God in a ritual act, the breast was symbolically "returned" to the priests, signifying that their livelihood came directly from God through the offerings. This ensured their financial support, allowing them to focus fully on their spiritual duties, thereby modeling dependence on God's provision for His faithful servants.

Leviticus 7 31 Bonus section

• The peace offering was the only offering where parts were consumed by the offerer (with a priest), God (the fat burned on the altar), and the priests (breast and thigh). This shared meal underscored the concept of communion, fellowship, and a harmonious relationship with God and within the community.
• The wave offering, particularly associated with the breast (Lev 7:30), symbolized the presentation of the item to God's immediate presence before it was returned to human hands. This visual act emphasized that all provisions ultimately belong to God and are given back as His blessing and gracious allowance.
• The meticulous detailing of specific animal parts for specific purposes reflects the high regard for holiness and ritual precision in Mosaic law. Every aspect of the sacrifice had profound symbolic meaning, distinguishing YHWH's worship from the practices of surrounding nations and ensuring adherence to His unique covenant.
• The provision for the priests served a dual purpose: it sustained them physically, enabling them to focus solely on their sacred duties, and it taught the people the importance of supporting those who served God by giving a portion of their first fruits and labor, echoing the later New Testament principle of supporting ministers of the gospel.

Leviticus 7 31 Commentary

Leviticus 7:31 meticulously outlines the divine protocol for the distribution of the peace offering, demonstrating God's inherent rights over the sacrifice and His practical provision for His appointed ministers. The commandment to "burn the fat on the altar" signifies that the most excellent and vital part of the animal is consecrated exclusively to the Lord. This act, described with the verb qatar (to cause to smoke), represents the offering ascending as a fragrant aroma to God, acknowledging His holiness, supreme ownership, and right to the best. In contrast, the allocation of "the breast" to "Aaron and his sons" emphasizes God's faithful care for the Levitical priesthood. As ministers of the Tabernacle who had no tribal land inheritance, the priests relied upon portions from the sacrifices for their sustenance. The breast, typically part of a wave offering, was symbolically presented to God and then redistributed to the priests, signifying that their provision ultimately stemmed from God's gracious hand. This verse, therefore, embodies a crucial principle of covenant worship: God rightfully receives the preeminent portion of devotion, and in return, He faithfully sustains those who dedicate themselves wholly to His service. This detailed legislation underscored order, holiness, and the reciprocal relationship between a worshipping community, its divinely appointed priesthood, and the faithful, providing God.