Leviticus 9 10

Leviticus 9:10 kjv

But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 9:10 nkjv

But the fat, the kidneys, and the fatty lobe from the liver of the sin offering he burned on the altar, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Leviticus 9:10 niv

On the altar he burned the fat, the kidneys and the long lobe of the liver from the sin offering, as the LORD commanded Moses;

Leviticus 9:10 esv

But the fat and the kidneys and the long lobe of the liver from the sin offering he burned on the altar, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 9:10 nlt

Then he burned on the altar the fat, the kidneys, and the long lobe of the liver from the sin offering, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Leviticus 9 verses

Leviticus 9 10 Meaning

Leviticus 9:10 describes specific portions of the sin offering, namely the fat, the kidneys, and the large lobe of the liver, that were separated from the animal and completely consumed by fire on the altar. This action was performed by Aaron as part of the inaugural sacrificial ceremony for the Tabernacle and priesthood, and it was done in exact obedience to the Lord's specific instructions given to Moses. The burning of these choice parts symbolized the dedication of the very best to God, the complete giving over of the inner essence, and was a necessary act for atonement and purification in the Levitical system.

Leviticus 9 10 Context

Leviticus 9 is a pivotal chapter, detailing the climactic events of the inauguration of the Aaronic priesthood and the Tabernacle's sacrificial service. Chapters 8-9 describe the eight-day consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests. On the eighth day (which chapter 9 records), they finally perform the sacrifices for themselves and the people, for the first time acting fully as ordained priests. This is crucial because it marks the Lord's acceptance of the Tabernacle and its ministers, leading to God's glory appearing and fire consuming the offerings (v. 23-24). The sacrifices included a sin offering and a burnt offering for Aaron and his sons, and then further offerings (sin, burnt, peace, grain) for the community. Verse 10 specifically addresses the proper handling of the sin offering, emphasizing that even minute details were to be meticulously followed as commanded by the Lord. This precise obedience contrasts sharply with the "strange fire" offered by Nadab and Abihu in the very next chapter, leading to their judgment and underscoring the absolute necessity of following God's commands in worship.

Leviticus 9 10 Word analysis

• but the fat (wĕ-haḥēlěḇ - וְהַחֵלֶב): The Hebrew word chelev (חֵלֶב) specifically refers to the internal fat, the suet, rather than muscular fat. It was considered the richest and best part of the animal. This was intrinsically reserved for God, forbidden for human consumption (Lev 3:17). Symbolically, offering the fat represents giving God the "best" or "choicest" part, signifying total devotion and dedication of the highest value. It can also signify giving God one's inner vitality or prosperity.

• and the kidneys (wĕ-haķělāyōṯ - וְהַכְּלָיוֹת): Kidneys were associated with the innermost being, often understood as the seat of emotions, conscience, and counsel in ancient Hebrew thought. Offering them implies a dedication of one's deepest affections, intentions, and hidden thoughts to God.

• and the large lobe of the liver (wĕ-yōṯereṯ ʿal-hakāḇeḏ - וְיֹתֶרֶת עַל־הַכָּבֵד): This phrase literally means "the appendage on the liver" or "the greater part of the liver," referring to a specific fatty lobe or a caudel lobe of the liver, typically covered in fat. The inclusion of this specific part, along with the kidneys and fat, demonstrates the meticulous precision of God's instructions and the complete, thorough nature of the offering required. In ancient cultures, livers were sometimes used for divination, but in Israel, they were dedicated to God in pure obedience, directly countering pagan practices.

• from the sin offering (min-haḥaṭṭāṯ - מִן־הַחַטָּאת): The ḥaṭṭāṯ (חַטָּאת) was an offering for unintentional sins and for ritual purification, signifying the cleansing of uncleanness or guilt. The parts designated to be burned on the altar are for atonement, highlighting the sacrificial death as dealing with sin.

• he burned (hiqṭīr - הִקְטִיר): From the root qāṭar (קָטַר), meaning "to send up in smoke" or "to make smoke offering." This is distinct from consuming or roasting for food. It emphasizes the act of making a dedicated offering that ascends to God as an acceptable aroma.

• on the altar (ʿal-hammizbēaḥ - עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ): The bronze altar (altar of burnt offering) was the central place for sacrifices, where blood was applied and portions of offerings were burned. It symbolizes God's presence and the means by which humanity could approach a holy God, specifically through blood and fire.

• just as the Lord had commanded Moses (kaʾăšer ṣiwwâ Yahweh ʾeṯ-Mōšeh - כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה): This recurring phrase throughout Leviticus, and especially in this inaugural context (e.g., Lev 8:36, 9:5, 9:7), emphasizes divine authority, strict obedience, and the precise fulfillment of covenant stipulations. It signifies that the sacrificial system is not man-made but divinely ordained, serving as a template for acceptable worship and life.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "but the fat, and the kidneys, and the large lobe of the liver": This specific listing of choice internal organs underlines the holistic nature of the offering and the principle of giving God the "innermost" and "best." It moves beyond mere caloric value to symbolic significance of vitality, hidden thoughts, and complete dedication.
  • "he burned on the altar": This phrase emphasizes the complete dedication of these valuable parts to God, transforming them through fire into smoke that ascends to Him. It's a consumption by divine fire, not human consumption, reinforcing God's exclusive claim.
  • "just as the Lord had commanded Moses": This repeated formula is a theological bedrock, authenticating the entire sacrificial system and priestly ministry as God's design. It underlines that all Israelite worship must be in accordance with divine revelation, contrasting with human innovations or arbitrary acts.

Leviticus 9 10 Bonus Section

• The specificity of these organ parts being offered (fat, kidneys, liver lobe) often evokes comparison with medical understanding, yet the primary biblical meaning is theological and symbolic rather than anatomical or hygienic. They represent vitality and the most valuable, unseen interior.
• The concept of fat belonging to the Lord sets Israel apart from surrounding cultures, where priests might consume or sell these portions for personal gain. This highlighted the unique holiness of God and the nature of an exclusive covenant.
• This verse is part of the first sacrifices by the fully ordained priesthood for the entire community. It foreshadows the continued sacrificial system as the divinely appointed means for Israel to deal with sin and maintain communion with God, until Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
• The recurrence of "as the Lord had commanded Moses" reinforces the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Law given at Sinai, which forms the basis for all true worship and righteous living. It means worship is not a matter of human preference or innovation but of divine prescription.

Leviticus 9 10 Commentary

Leviticus 9:10 serves as a succinct reminder of several core principles within the Levitical sacrificial system and by extension, our approach to God. First, the detailed instruction for burning specific parts—the fat, kidneys, and liver lobe—from the sin offering underscores the absolute necessity of meticulous obedience in worship. God's holiness demands precision in how one approaches Him; any deviation, as seen in the following chapter with Nadab and Abihu, carries severe consequences. These specific fatty and visceral parts, considered the richest and innermost, symbolized the giving of one's "best" or the totality of one's being (inner life, vitality) to God. The fact that they are consumed by fire on the altar, rather than eaten, emphasizes God's exclusive claim over these dedicated portions and that true atonement involves a complete giving up.

Ultimately, the strict adherence to these detailed instructions highlights that Israel's relationship with God was governed by covenant terms revealed by God Himself. This process of sacrificing certain parts pointed forward to the perfect and singular offering of Jesus Christ. As believers, we now offer spiritual sacrifices (Heb 13:15, 1 Pet 2:5), not literal animal fat. This means giving God our "best" – our unreserved devotion, our inner life, our talents, our resources, and especially our obedience – as a "living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1) through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Just as the physical fat was completely given over, so too are believers called to offer their whole selves in pure, obedient worship, because Christ Himself fully offered His life as the ultimate obedient "sin offering" for us (Rom 8:3; Heb 10:7-10).