Leviticus 3:3-4
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It's easy to skim over the specifics of "the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards," but these aren't just random bits. They represent the richest, most vital parts of the animal, symbolizing that the best we have is to be given to God. This wasn't just about burning animal parts; it was a tangible way of acknowledging God's ultimate sovereignty over everything, even what we might consider the most precious.
And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the LORD, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage details the specific portions of the peace offering to be burned on the altar as a special offering to God. Unlike other sacrifices where the whole animal or significant portions went up in flames, here only the rich fats covering the intestines and clinging to them were designated for the fire, symbolizing the best parts being returned to the Lord. This meticulous instruction highlights the sacredness of even the choicest, internal parts of the animal, setting the stage for understanding the communal meal that followed.
Ever wondered why the 'fattiest' parts of the animal were reserved for God? It wasn't about flavor, but about symbolism.
In the peace offering, the fat that covered the entrails and all the fat on them was specifically designated for God, to be burned on the altar.
Why the Fat?
This practice reminds us that our worship and offerings to God should always stem from a heart that wants to give Him the highest quality of our devotion and resources.
This wasn't just any sacrifice; the peace offering was a sacred meal shared between God, the priests, and the people. What does that tell us about God's desire for relationship?
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The peace offering (also called a fellowship offering) was unique because a portion was burned for God, a portion went to the priests, and the rest was eaten by the offerer and their family or friends in a celebratory feast.
A Shared Table
The very structure of this meal pointed towards the profound reality of God desiring to dwell with His people, sharing in their joy and blessings.
Understand the original words
cheleb · Hebrew Noun
In the sacrificial system, fat was considered the richest part of the animal and was reserved entirely for God, symbolizing the best that one has to offer.
This passage describes the fat being offered to the LORD on the altar as part of the consecration of priests, mirroring the idea of offering the best part of the sacrifice.
Proverbs 15:8This verse highlights that the prayer of the upright is a delight to God, similar to how the 'food offering' of fat was a pleasing aroma to the Lord in Leviticus.
1 Corinthians 10:16Paul speaks of the 'cup of blessing' and the 'bread' as sharing in Christ, drawing a parallel to the communal meal of the peace offering where God, priests, and people shared in the sacrifice.
Ephesians 5:2This verse calls believers to 'walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,' directly connecting Christ's sacrifice to the concept of a pleasing offering.
Psalm 63:5This Psalm speaks of the soul being satisfied 'as with marrow and fatness,' using similar imagery to describe divine provision and contentment, which the peace offering symbolized.
jfbLeviticus 3:3: "And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,"
- he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering—The peace offering differed from the oblations formerly mentioned in this respect: while the burnt offering was wholly consumed on the altar, and the freewill offering was partly consumed and partly assigned to the priests; in this offering the fat a…
calvinLeviticus 3:1-17: "And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD."
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
Et imponet manum suam super caput oblationis suae, et immolabit eum ad ostium tabernaculi conventionis: f…
It's easy to skim over the specifics of "the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards," but these aren't just random bits. They represent the richest, most vital parts of the animal, symbolizing that the best we have is to be given to God. This wasn't just about burning animal parts; it was a tangible way of acknowledging God's ultimate sovereignty over everything, even what we might consider the most precious.
This passage details the specific portions of the peace offering to be burned on the altar as a special offering to God. Unlike other sacrifices where the whole animal or significant portions went up in flames, here only the rich fats covering the intestines and clinging to them were designated for the fire, symbolizing the best parts being returned to the Lord. This meticulous instruction highlights the sacredness of even the choicest, internal parts of the animal, setting the stage for understanding the communal meal that followed.
This passage details the specific portions of the peace offering to be burned on the altar as a special offering to God. Unlike other sacrifices where the whole animal or significant portions went up in flames, here only the rich fats covering the intestines and clinging to them were designated for the fire, symbolizing the best parts being returned to the Lord. This meticulous instruction highlights the sacredness of even the choicest, internal parts of the animal, setting the stage for understanding the communal meal that followed.
"And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the LORD, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long…" — It's easy to skim over the specifics of "the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards," but these aren't just random bits. They represent the richest, most vital parts…
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Last reviewed October 2026
