Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 7

Verses 1-6

LEVITICUS- CHAPTER SEVEN

Verses 1-6:

This text is a supplement to the Trespass Offering, see chapters 5:14 - 6:7. The blood of the Trespass Offering was not placed on the horns of the altar, as was that of the Sin Offering. It was treated in the same manner as the blood of the Whole Burnt Offering and the Peace Offering; cast against the inward sides of the altar.

"The rump" is literally "the fat tail," see note on Le 3:9.

Verses 7-11

Verses 7-11:

This text defines the portions of the various offerings which were to belong to the priests. The officiating priest was to have: the flesh of the Trespass Offering, and the flesh of the Sin Offering (except the fat to be burnt upon the altar); the skin of the Whole Burnt Offering; and the cooked Meat Offerings (grain), except that portion burnt as a memorial on the altar. The Meat Offerings of flour and parched grains were to go to the entire body of priests, equally.

Verses 12-21

Verses 12-21:

This text supplies further instruction concerning the ritual of the Peace Offering, chapter 3:1. There were three types of Peace Offerings:

1. Thank offerings, verses 12-15. These were offered as token of past blessings and mercies.

2. Votive offerings, verses 16-18. These differ from the thank offerings, in that they do not refer to any specific blessing received.

The thank offering must be eaten on the same day offered. The votive and the voluntary offerings might be eaten on the day following, but not the third day.

Special care was to be taken that no part of the Peace Offering be ceremonially defiled and made unclean. Any person who offered a Peace Offering of unclean flesh was to be immediately excommunicated.

The strict requirements of the Peace Offering typified the solemnity and importance of maintaining peace with God.

Verses 22-27

Verses 22-27:

This text reiterates the prohibition of eating either fat or blood. The prohibition of eating fat apparently applies to the animals offered in sacrifice, as already specified, see Le 3:16, 17. The prohibition regarding the eating of blood applies perpetually, and universally, see Ge 9:3-6; De 12:16. The penalty for violating this statute was excommunication.

Verses 28-34

Verses 28-34:

One stipulation regarding the Peace Offering was that the offerer must bring it with his own hands; he could not send it by a servant, nor hire another to take his place. This typifies personal responsibility of each person in dealing with the sin question.

The breast of the sacrifice was to be waved before the Lord, to show that they were solemnly consecrated to Him. The "wave offering" consisted of the officiating priest placing his hands under those of the offerer as he held the breast of the sacrificial animal, then moving them slowly backward and forward, to and from the altar. This portion was allocated to all the priests on duty.

The "right shoulder," shoq, was probably the haunch (hind leg) of the animal This term is also translated leg, hip, and thigh. It was offered as a "heave offering" to the Lord. This was done by slowly lifting the piece upward and downward. The shoq was the portion of the officiating priest.

Verses 35-38

Verses 35-38:

The portion of the sacrifices reserved for the priests was one way God chose to provide for their livelihood, and also for the livelihood of those who performed other duties about the tabernacle (temple) and altar. These sacrificial portions were in addition to the tithes Israel paid for the support of the Levites. This is a type of the way God’s people are to support the preaching of the Gospel in this age, see 1Co 9:1-13.