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)
The text meticulously details the removal of the kidneys, their surrounding fat, and a specific part of the liver called the "caul," emphasizing these internal organs and their fatty coverings. This focus highlights that the parts most hidden, requiring careful dissection to access, were reserved for God, symbolizing the dedication of our innermost being and affections.
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 parts of a bull offered as a peace offering that are to be removed and burned. It follows instructions for offering a male or female animal from the herd and comes just before the description of burning these designated fats on the altar. The focus is on the meticulous preparation of the sacrifice, highlighting the precise parts considered most choice and belonging to God.
Why were the fattiest parts of the animal so crucial for sacrifice? It wasn't just about abundance, but about offering God the very best.
The peace offering, or 'shelomim,' was a unique sacrifice where God, the priests, and the offerer all shared in the meal. But before the feast, specific parts were set aside for God and consumed by fire on the altar.
Reserved for God
Leviticus 3:3-4 details which parts were to be offered: the fat covering the entrails, all the fat on the entrails, the two kidneys with their fat, and the lobe of the liver.
These weren't random scraps. They were the richest, most desirable portions of the animal. The fat was considered the most prized part, symbolizing abundance and the best of the harvest. The kidneys, located near the spine, were also seen as vital and choice.
By offering these prime cuts, the Israelites were demonstrating their utmost reverence and gratitude to God. It was a tangible way of saying, 'You are worthy of our very best.'
What does it mean that the fat offered to God was called 'food' and a 'sweet aroma'? It points to a deep, personal communion.
The offering of the fat and kidneys wasn't just about appeasing God; it was about fellowship. The Hebrew word for peace offerings, 'shelomim,' relates to concepts of wholeness, well-being, and peace.
A Shared Meal
When the designated parts of the animal were burned on the altar, producing a 'sweet aroma' (Leviticus 3:5, 16), it symbolized God's acceptance and pleasure. This aroma ascended to heaven, signifying a direct line of communication and acceptance between God and His people.
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Furthermore, this offering formed part of a shared meal. The fat belonged to God, the priests received a portion, and the offerer and his family ate the rest. This communal feasting depicted a restored relationship and intimate fellowship with God, made possible by the sacrifice.
It's a beautiful picture of God inviting His people to draw near, to share in His presence, and to experience His peace.
This passage describes the same process for consecrating Aaron and his sons, highlighting the removal of specific organs, including the kidneys and caul of the liver, for the burnt offering.
1 Samuel 15:22This verse speaks to the importance of obedience over sacrifice, contrasting mere ritual with true devotion, which the meticulous details of the sacrificial laws aim to uphold.
Psalm 51:16-17David's lament shows that God desires a broken spirit and a contrite heart more than the literal sacrifices prescribed in Leviticus, pointing to the deeper meaning behind these rituals.
Hebrews 10:4This New Testament passage explicitly states that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, underscoring that the Levitical sacrifices, including the fat and organs, were a shadow pointing to Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20While not directly about sacrifice, this verse calls believers to honor God with their bodies, which can be seen as a New Covenant parallel to the Old Testament command to offer the best parts of the sacrifice to God, signifying consecration.
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…
barnesLeviticus 3:4: "And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away."
The caul above the liver - Probably the membrane covering the upper part of the liver.
The text meticulously details the removal of the kidneys, their surrounding fat, and a specific part of the liver called the "caul," emphasizing these internal organs and their fatty coverings. This focus highlights that the parts most hidden, requiring careful dissection to access, were reserved for God, symbolizing the dedication of our innermost being and affections.
This passage details the specific parts of a bull offered as a peace offering that are to be removed and burned. It follows instructions for offering a male or female animal from the herd and comes just before the description of burning these designated fats on the altar. The focus is on the meticulous preparation of the sacrifice, highlighting the precise parts considered most choice and belonging to God.
This passage details the specific parts of a bull offered as a peace offering that are to be removed and burned. It follows instructions for offering a male or female animal from the herd and comes just before the description of burning these designated fats on the altar. The focus is on the meticulous preparation of the sacrifice, highlighting the precise parts considered most choice and belonging to God.
"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." — The text meticulously details the removal of the kidneys, their surrounding fat, and a specific part of the liver called the "caul," emphasizing these internal organs and their fatty coverings. This…
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Last reviewed October 2026