Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 7

Verse 1

Trespass. Trespasses, for which these offerings were to be made, were less offences, than those for which the sin-offerings were appointed. (Challoner) See chap. iv. 2. --- Delictum, trespass, answers to the Hebrew asham, and the Greek plemmeleia; (Haydock) being of a more extensive signification that the Hebrew chete, sin, as it comprises even sins against knowledge. (Parkhurst) See chap. iv. 2. --- No particular ceremonies are enjoined, (ver. 7,) only a he-goat or a ram was to be offered; if the former, the rump, &c., were to be given (ver. 3); if the latter, the fat of the intestines and the reins were to be offered, and the blood poured out at the foot of the altar. --- Victim. Septuagint, "ram." --- Holy. To be eaten by priests, and in the court of the tabernacle, ver. 6. (Calmet) --- Sins of commission, peccata, and of omission, delicta, are equally offensive to God. (St. Augustine, q. 20.) (Worthington)

Verse 8

Skin. Of these skins a great profit was made. (Philo, de Præm. Sacerd.)

Verse 9

Priest’s; to be divided among his brethren, ver. 10. They officiated a week by turns. (Calmet) --- Each, therefore, claimed the parts allotted by God to the priest on duty. But it is not certain what part they could retain for their own use. Some think that the unbaked flour alone was to be distributed equally, ver. 10. (Bonfrere)

Verse 11

This. Here the Roman, Septuagint, Junius, &c., commence the 7th chapter.

Verse 12

Oil. Any of these sorts of bread would suffice. Jacob and Jethro had formerly offered sacrifices of praise, and the Greeks had some which they termed Soteria. (Calmet)

Verse 13

Bread, for the use of the priests, chap. ii. 11.

Verse 14

Of which leavened bread, one, representing all the rest, shall be offered for first-fruits. Hebrew, "a heave-offering," not as a sacrifice. (Menochius) --- Others maintain that a loaf, without leaven, was laid upon the altar; and all the rest given to the priest. (Calmet)

Verse 15

Morning. Thus were they admonished to let the poor share of the bounty which God had bestowed upon them. (Theodoret and Philo)

Verse 16

It. The victim of thanksgiving was more worthy, as it proceeded from a more disinterested motive. (Menochius) --- Such victims as were perfectly voluntary might be received, though they had some defect, chap. xxii. 23.

Verse 17

Fire. No part must be reserved so long, as to become offensive and putrid. (Calmet)

Verse 18

Yea rather. Hebrew, "it is an abomination to be thrown away," and the soul, &c. Thus by neglecting to comply exactly with God’s commands, we lose the fruits of our former piety. (Haydock) --- The flesh of these victims might be eaten in any clean place, by all those who were not defiled, chap. x. 14. (Josephus) (Tirinus)

Verse 19

Shall eat of it. That is, of the flesh of the thanks-offering. (Challoner) --- People might eat the flesh of animals which had been touched by something unclean, Deuteronomy xii. 15, 22. But victims, defiled by any accident, were to be burnt. The others were to be eaten only by such as were clean. (Menochius)

Verse 20

People excommunicated, or even slain, either by God, or by the judge. (Calmet)

Verse 21

Uncleanness of man, means a person defiled, or his excrements. (Cornelius a Lapide)

Verse 23

Eat, when they have been once immolated. See chap. iii. 17.

Verse 24

Uses. Hebrew, "for any other use: but you shall not eat it." Origen (hom. 5,) seems to reject this fat entirely.

Verse 26

Beasts. Hence the Rabbins except the blood of fishes, as it is not specified. (Calmet)

Verse 29

Sacrifice....Libations, flour, wine, and oil. (Lyranus)

Verse 30

CHAPTER VII.

Hands, upon a silver dish. The priest shall direct his hands to form a triple cross. (Cajetan) (Tirinus)

Verse 31

The breast, and other parts mentioned, Deuteronomy xviii. 3.

Verse 34

Separated from the breast for the Lord, and waved before Him, as the Hebrew intimates.

Verse 35

Anointing. Le Clerc translates the food. On this Aaron shall be maintained. This shall be his salary or portion, in quality of God’s anointed.

Verse 36

Israel. Hebrew adds, "in the day of his anointing," or consecration. (Calmet)

Verse 37

Law. Six sorts of sacrifices are here specified, holocausts, flour-offerings, sin and trespass-offerings, those for the consecration of priests, and the peace-offerings.

Verse 38

In, or at the foot of Mount Sinai. (Haydock)