Leviticus-Chap-3-1-17
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this
site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I
may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org”
(MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org”
(SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job,
the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth,
Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of
Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been
corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD
TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may
keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
The Sacrifice of Peace-Offerings.
Leviticus
Chapter 3 introduces the Zevach
Shelamim, typically translated as the
"sacrifice of peace-offerings" or “well-being offerings”. Unlike the
burnt offering (Olah),
which was entirely consumed by fire, the peace-offering was a communal
feast shared between אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) (the fat burned on the
altar), the priest (specific portions), and the worshipper (the remaining
meat). Derived from the root shalom (peace,
wholeness, or completeness), this offering was a voluntary act of worship
brought to celebrate fellowship and harmony with
the Almighty.
YYYYYYY
Let us read Leviticus
Chapter 3:1-17: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
1. “And
if his offering be a sacrifice of peace-offerings: if he offer
of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before יְהוָה - the LORD. 2 And
he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of
the tent of meeting; and Aaron’s sons the priests shall dash the blood against
the altar round about. 3. And he shall present
of the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering made by fire unto יְהוָה - the LORD: the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the
inwards, 4 and the two kidneys, and the fat that
is on them, which is by the loins, and the lobe above the liver, which he shall
take away hard by the kidneys. 5. And Aaron's
sons shall make it smoke on the altar upon the burnt-offering, which is upon
the wood that is on the fire; it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour
unto יְהוָה - the LORD. 6 And
if his offering for a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto יְהוָה - the LORD be of the flock, male or
female, he shall offer it without blemish. 7. If
he bring a lamb for his offering, then shall he
present it before יְהוָה - the LORD. 8. And
he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the
tent of meeting; and Aaron’s sons shall dash the blood thereof against the
altar round about. 9. And he shall present of
the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering made by fire unto יְהוָה - the LORD: the fat thereof, the fat
tail entire, which he shall take away hard by the rump-bone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the
inwards, 10. and the
two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the loins, and the lobe
above the liver, which he shall take away by the kidneys. 11. And
the priest shall make it smoke upon the altar; it is the food of the offering
made by fire unto יְהוָה - the LORD. 12. And
if his offering be a goat, then he shall present it before יְהוָה - the LORD. 13. And
he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tent of
meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall dash the blood thereof against the altar
round about. 14. And he shall present thereof
his offering, even an offering made by fire unto יְהוָה - the LORD: the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the
inwards, 15. and the
two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the loins, and the lobe
above the liver, which he shall take away by the kidneys. 16. And
the priest shall make them smoke upon the altar; it is the food of the offering
made by fire, for a sweet savour; all the fat is יְהוָה - the LORD’s. 17. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your
generations in all your dwellings, that ye shall eat neither fat nor blood”.
YYYYYYY
Below is the commentary
on Leviticus Chapter 3, verses 1 to 17: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
1. Peace-Offering from the Herd (Verses 1-5):
Verse 1: The
offering could be a male or female animal from the herd, provided it was without blemish. This
underscores that our best the “whole” and “perfect” is what we must bring
before יְהוָה - the LORD.
Verse 2: The
worshipper performed Semikhah (laying of hands) on the animal’s head, symbolising personal identification and
devotion. The blood was dashed “round about” the altar, signifying that life contained
in the blood belongs to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Verses 3-5: Only the
richest parts, the fat covering the inwards, the kidneys, and the lobe of the
liver were burned. This portion is called “an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD”,
showing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s acceptance of the gift.
2. Peace-Offering from the
Flock (Verses 6-11):
Verses 6-10: Similar
instructions applied to a lamb, with one notable addition for certain breeds:
the “fat tail” (alyah), a prized delicacy, was also to be
offered entirely to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Verse 11: The priest
burned these parts as “the food of the offering made by
fire unto יְהוָה - the LORD”. This
bold metaphor of “food” or “bread” for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim illustrates the intimate nature of
the fellowship meal.
3. Peace-Offering of a Goat and Perpetual
Statute (Verses 12-17):
Verses 12-16: The
procedure for a goat mirrored that of the herd and flock, concluding with the
definitive statement: “All the fat is יְהוָה - the LORD’s”.
Verse 17: The chapter
ends with a “perpetual statute” for all generations: the strict prohibition against eating fat or
blood. Blood represents the sanctity of life, while the fat (helev) represents the
best and choicest portion, which must always be reserved for the Creator!
YYYYYYY
My Closing
Message:
The message
of the ‘Zevach
Shelamim’ - זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים being a “peace offering” is
that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence
of wholeness in our relationship with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. By surrendering the “fat”, the best of our time, energy, and resources
we acknowledge that our prosperity comes from the Divine. Today, while the
physical altar no longer stands, we bring our “sacrifices of peace” through
acts of ‘gratitude’, ‘hospitality’, and ‘communal joy’, ensuring that our “table”
remains a place of holiness and fellowship!
YYYYYYY
Please Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This site was originally created, for those who
desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on
your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always
seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for
His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However
this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom =
Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts,
be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as
well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your
daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food
and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be
with you!
Enter ...