Leviticus 7 33

Leviticus 7:33 kjv

He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part.

Leviticus 7:33 nkjv

He among the sons of Aaron, who offers the blood of the peace offering and the fat, shall have the right thigh for his part.

Leviticus 7:33 niv

The son of Aaron who offers the blood and the fat of the fellowship offering shall have the right thigh as his share.

Leviticus 7:33 esv

Whoever among the sons of Aaron offers the blood of the peace offerings and the fat shall have the right thigh for a portion.

Leviticus 7:33 nlt

The right thigh must always be given to the priest who offers the blood and the fat of the peace offering.

Leviticus 7 verses

Leviticus 7 33 Meaning

Leviticus 7:33 prescribes that the right thigh of the peace offering is to be allotted to the specific priest, a descendant of Aaron, who personally performs the sacred duty of offering the blood and burning the fat portion of that sacrifice to the Lord on the altar. This divine directive ensures both the precise distribution of sacrificial parts according to specific priestly service and the sustainable provision for the priestly ministry, emphasizing the link between sacred duty and God's provision.

Leviticus 7 33 Context

Leviticus chapter 7 provides detailed laws concerning various sacrificial offerings, expanding on regulations introduced in previous chapters. Verses 11-36 specifically focus on the peace offering (zevach shlamim), a unique sacrifice marked by its communal and fellowship nature, allowing both the offerer and the priests to partake of specific portions. This particular verse, 7:33, sits within a larger section (7:28-36) delineating the exact portions of the peace offering designated for the priests, notably the wave breast and the heave thigh. Historically, these instructions were given at Mount Sinai (implied by the setting of the Pentateuch) to the newly formed nation of Israel, encamped around the Tabernacle in the wilderness. The meticulous allocation of priestly portions served as a crucial means of sustenance for the Levites and especially the Aaronite priests, as they received no territorial inheritance in Canaan but were to dedicate themselves fully to the sacred service of the Tabernacle and its rituals. The specificity underscored God's demand for order and proper respect in worship, distinct from pagan practices where priests might exploit or randomly claim parts of offerings.

Leviticus 7 33 Word analysis

• The one among the sons of Aaron:

  • "The one": Singular and specific. Implies a particular priest is assigned or performs the duty, not necessarily all priests serving at the time.
  • "among the sons of Aaron": (Hebrew: mibenei Aharon מִבְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן). Explicitly defines the lineage, signifying the divinely appointed priesthood. It underscores that only authorized priests were to handle these sacred rites, reflecting God's established order for worship. This phrase is a cornerstone of the Levitical system, ensuring only those consecrated could perform priestly functions.

• who offers:

  • (Hebrew: maqriv מַקְרִיב, from the root qrv meaning "to come near," "to bring close," "to offer"). It signifies the active, hands-on role of the priest in presenting the sacrifice to God. This isn't merely observing, but participating in the crucial ceremonial acts. The priest serves as the intermediary, bringing the offering and the worshiper near to God.

• the blood:

  • (Hebrew: hadam הַדָּם). Highly significant in the sacrificial system. Blood represents life (Lev 17:11) and is pivotal for atonement, symbolizing the taking of life to pay for sin. It was the holiest part, always reserved for God on the altar; it was never to be consumed. The priest handles this sacred element, confirming the gravity of his role.

• of the peace offering:

  • (Hebrew: shelamim שְׁלָמִים, from shalom meaning "peace," "wholeness," "well-being," "completeness"). This offering symbolized fellowship and reconciliation with God. Unlike sin or guilt offerings, which focused on expiation, the peace offering was a joyous, voluntary communal meal shared with God and among the worshipers, following the giving of dedicated portions to the Lord and His priests.

• and the fat:

  • (Hebrew: v'hachelev וְהַחֵלֶב). Refers specifically to the suet, the choice fat surrounding the entrails, kidneys, and diaphragm. Unlike general animal fat that could be eaten, this specific fat was considered the "Lord's portion" (Lev 3:16-17, 7:23-25). Its burning on the altar created a pleasing aroma, signifying the best of the sacrifice being consecrated entirely to God. Handling the fat, along with the blood, identifies the priest as dealing with the holiest, most reserved aspects of the sacrifice.

• shall have the right thigh:

  • "shall have": Denotes a prescriptive right, a divinely ordained entitlement for service.
  • "the right thigh": (Hebrew: shoq haYemin שׁוֹק הַיָּמִין). A specific and valued portion of the animal. "Right" (yamin) often connotes strength, honor, authority, or prominence in biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts (e.g., Ps 118:16, Exod 15:6). The "thigh" is associated with strength and generative power. This part was "heaved" (raised up and down before the Lord, acknowledging God's ownership before it was designated to the priest). Deuteronomy 18:3 specifies the "right shoulder," which may be a synonymous term or reflect a slight regional variation or development over time in priestly shares, both referring to a prominent upper hindquarter/forequarter cut.

• for a portion:

  • (Hebrew: lemana לְמָנָה). Refers to an allotted share or assigned part. This phrase confirms that the right thigh is not a casual acquisition but a legally designated, rightful compensation for the priest's specific liturgical work. It ensured their sustenance as they had no tribal land inheritance.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "The one among the sons of Aaron who offers the blood... and the fat": This phrase precisely identifies who is entitled to the portion. It directly links the privilege (receiving the thigh) to the execution of specific, pivotal sacred duties: handling the life-giving blood (for atonement) and offering the choicest fat (exclusively God's portion) on the altar. This highlights the precise and reciprocal relationship between priestly responsibility and divine provision within the Mosaic covenant.
  • "the blood of the peace offering and the fat": These elements together are the most sacred components of the sacrifice that were not consumed by humans. The blood was for atonement and applied to the altar, and the fat was burnt entirely for God. The priest's direct involvement with these parts emphasizes the sanctity and seriousness of his task.
  • "shall have the right thigh for a portion": This emphasizes God's direct allocation of resources to His servants based on their specific, holy work. The "right thigh," a strong and significant cut, indicates a generous and honorable provision, distinguishing it from the "wave breast" that was typically shared among all serving priests from that offering. The act of "heaving" prior to consumption reinforced that it was given by God.

Leviticus 7 33 Bonus section

The "right thigh" mentioned here (and also the "right shoulder" in Deut 18:3 for offerings to the priests) was called the "heave thigh" or "heave shoulder" because it was elevated as an offering to God before being given to the priest. This "heaving" action, along with the "waving" of the breast (mentioned in Lev 7:34 for all serving priests), visually symbolized that the offering was presented to God first, acknowledging His ownership, and then, by His divine will, redistributed to His appointed servants. This emphasized that the priests received their livelihood directly from God's hand through the sacrifices, rather than from human donors directly, upholding their sacred position and preventing them from being beholden to the people. The peace offering was one of the few sacrifices where parts were explicitly eaten by humans after the Lord's portion was burned, highlighting its nature as a communal, joyful meal of fellowship with God.

Leviticus 7 33 Commentary

Leviticus 7:33 concisely details a crucial aspect of the Israelite sacrificial system: the specific provision for the officiating priest from the peace offering. This instruction, alongside other priestly allocations in Leviticus 7, underscores God's meticulous ordering of worship and His faithful provision for those consecrated to His service. The priest's handling of the sacred blood (essential for atonement) and the prime fat (wholly devoted to God) meant engaging with the holiest components of the sacrifice. In recognition of this intimate and crucial work, God designated the "right thigh" as a specific, tangible reward.

This verse exemplifies several theological truths: divine order and specificity in worship, the concept of sacred duty met with divine provision, and the importance of supporting those who minister God's Word and sacraments. The peace offering itself was a symbol of communion with God; allowing the priest a specific share further illustrates the blessed fellowship. While the specific animal sacrifices are no longer performed (having been fulfilled in Christ's singular, perfect sacrifice, Heb 9-10), the underlying principle of those who minister being sustained by the spiritual labors they undertake remains (1 Cor 9:13-14). This Old Covenant precedent provided a livelihood for the priests who dedicated their lives to serving God and His people, allowing them to focus entirely on their holy vocation without needing to secure secular employment or inherit land.