Leviticus 3 explained: A Meal Shared With God

An offering from the cattle (vv. 1-2)

Unlike the burnt offering of chapter 1, which was burned whole, this one was shared: God's portion went on the altar, the priests got a share, and the worshipper's household ate the rest (Leviticus 7). Pressing a hand on the animal's head marked it as this person's own gift, though scholars debate exactly what the gesture meant.

The parts burned for God (vv. 3-5)

The fat around the inner organs, the kidneys and part of the liver were treated as the richest parts, so they were burned for God. They went on top of the burnt offering already on the altar, adding to it.

An offering from the sheep (vv. 6-11)

Sheep in that region had broad tails heavy with fat, a prized delicacy, so the whole tail went to God along with the inner fat. The text calls this God's "food", which many interpreters read as picture language for a gift God gladly accepts.

An offering from the goats (vv. 12-16)

A goat followed the same steps as cattle and sheep. The section ends with the summary that all the fat belongs to the LORD, meaning the best part went to God first.

No fat, no blood (v. 17)

This lasting rule banned eating this special inner fat or any blood, even from animals killed for ordinary meals, because these were God's portion. Elsewhere Leviticus explains that life is in the blood, so it was treated as belonging to God.

Key verse: Leviticus 3:16

Something to think about

What is it about sharing a meal with someone that can make it feel like a sign that things are right between you?