And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to overlook that these specific, fatty parts of the animal—the entrails, liver, and kidneys—were considered the best of the offering, representing the innermost life and vitality. Burning these "best parts" on the altar signified that the priests were dedicating not just outward actions, but their entire inner being and desires to God's service.
And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of the elaborate instructions for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests for the Tabernacle. Following the initial preparation of the bullock and rams, and the sprinkling of blood on the altar and priests, this verse details specific fatty parts of the bullock that are to be completely consumed by fire on the altar as part of the sin offering. These parts, considered the best of the sacrifice, represent the total dedication of the offering to God, setting the stage for the subsequent consecration of the priests with other offerings.
When God instructed Moses to offer sacrifices, He was specific about which parts went up in smoke. It wasn't random; it was symbolic.
In these instructions for consecrating the priests, God commands the burning of specific fatty parts of the animal: the fat covering the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys. These weren't just random scraps. The fat was often considered the richest, most desirable part of the animal, known for burning with a bright flame.
Some might look at these instructions and wonder, 'Why burn perfectly good food?' The answer lies in understanding the purpose of these sacred rituals.
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These rituals weren't about wasting resources; they were about profound symbolic action. The burning of specific parts on the altar was a holy act of dedication, separating the sacred from the common.
Understand the original words
cheleb · Hebrew Noun
The richest and most choice portion of the animal, often associated with the very best of one’s possessions. Offering the fat to God symbolizes dedication and honor to Him.
qatar · Hebrew Verb
An act of religious devotion involving the destruction of an offering by fire, turning it into smoke that ascends to God. It signifies the complete surrender and total acceptance of the sacrifice by God.
This passage describes the specific fat from the animals that was to be offered to the Lord, directly referencing the 'fat that covers the entrails' and the kidneys, highlighting the sacredness of these parts in offerings.
Leviticus 4:8-10This passage explains the fat of the bullock as a sin offering to be burned on the altar, paralleling the command in Exodus 29:13 to burn the fat of the consecration offerings.
Hebrews 9:22This New Testament passage speaks to the principle that 'almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness,' underscoring the sacrificial blood and the burning of offerings as essential elements of atonement and purification.
Philippians 4:18Paul refers to the Philippian believers' gift as a 'sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.' This connects to the idea in Exodus 29:13 that specific, designated parts of sacrifices, when offered to God, were intended as a pleasing aroma, signifying acceptance.
pulpitExodus 29:13: "And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar."
Verse 13. - Thou shalt take all the fat, etc. Among all nations who have offered sacrifices, it has been very usual to select certain parts of the victim only for burning upon the altar, and to dispose otherwise of the remainder. The Greeks commonly burnt on the altar the thighs and the fat only. The Ro…
calvinExodus 29:1-35: "And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,"
And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
Cingesque illos baltheo: Aharon et flios ejus, et aptabis eis pileos, et erit eis sacerdotium in statutum perp…
It's easy to overlook that these specific, fatty parts of the animal—the entrails, liver, and kidneys—were considered the best of the offering, representing the innermost life and vitality. Burning these "best parts" on the altar signified that the priests were dedicating not just outward actions, but their entire inner being and desires to God's service.
This passage is part of the elaborate instructions for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests for the Tabernacle. Following the initial preparation of the bullock and rams, and the sprinkling of blood on the altar and priests, this verse details specific fatty parts of the bullock that are to be completely consumed by fire on the altar as part of the sin offering. These parts, considered the best of the sacrifice, represent the total dedication of the offering to God, setting the stage for the subsequent consecration of the priests with other offerings.
This passage is part of the elaborate instructions for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests for the Tabernacle. Following the initial preparation of the bullock and rams, and the sprinkling of blood on the altar and priests, this verse details specific fatty parts of the bullock that are to be completely consumed by fire on the altar as part of the sin offering. These parts, considered the best of the sacrifice, represent the total dedication of the offering to God, setting the stage for the subsequent consecration of the priests with other offerings.
"And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar." — It's easy to overlook that these specific, fatty parts of the animal—the entrails, liver, and kidneys—were considered the best of the offering, representing the innermost life and vitality. Burning…
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Last reviewed October 2026