What's easily missed is that the "whole rump" or "fat tail" was considered such a choice delicacy that it was explicitly set aside to be burned. This wasn't just any fat; it was the richest part, reserved for God as a special offering, highlighting that the most prized portions of the peace offering belonged entirely to Him.
Then from the sacrifice of the peace offering he shall offer as a food offering to the LORD its fat; he shall remove the whole fat tail, cut off close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage details the specific instructions for the "peace offering," which was a sacrifice of thanksgiving or fellowship. Following directions for offerings from the herd and flock, this verse focuses on the portion of a sheep designated for God, specifically highlighting the removal of the fat tail and internal fats to be burned on the altar as a "food offering." This meticulous process underscores the sacredness of what is given back to God from the bounty received.
Why would God ask for the fattiest, most desirable parts of the sacrifice? It might seem strange, but it reveals something profound about His nature and our relationship with Him.
In Leviticus 3:9, we see specific instructions for offering the fat and the entire fat tail from a sheep as a food offering to the LORD.
The Best of the Best
The fat wasn't just set aside; it was burned on the altar. What does this fiery consumption signify for our understanding of worship and communion with God?
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The fat and fat tail were specifically designated as an "offering made by fire unto the LORD" (Leviticus 3:9), meaning they were burned completely on the altar.
From Earth to Heaven
Understand the original words
ishsheh · Hebrew Noun
A fire-offering presented to the Lord. It signifies a pleasing aroma to God and represents the total dedication of the sacrifice to His purposes.
cheleb · Hebrew Noun
The richest and most choice part of an animal. In the context of OT sacrifices, the fat is considered to belong exclusively to the Lord, representing the "best" part of the offering.
This passage details the consecration of priests and specifically mentions the 'fat tail' and other fats being offered, directly linking to the specific parts designated for the altar in Leviticus.
Psalm 116:13This psalm speaks of lifting the 'cup of salvation,' a practice associated with the peace offering, highlighting the theme of thanksgiving and fellowship with God that the peace offering represented.
1 Samuel 9:24This narrative shows the special treatment of the 'fat tail' being set aside for Samuel, reflecting its esteemed value and its connection to sacrifices, even in later historical accounts.
Romans 12:1Paul calls believers to offer their bodies as 'living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God,' drawing a parallel to the Old Testament sacrifices by urging a complete and dedicated offering of self to God.
Malachi 1:7This prophetic passage rebukes Israel for offering blemished and unworthy sacrifices, contrasting their unacceptable offerings with the 'sweet aroma' God desired, underscoring the importance of offering the best to God as seen in Leviticus 3.
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…
pulpitLeviticus 3:9: "And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat thereof, and the whole rump, it shall he take off hard by the backbone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,"
Verse 9. - The whole rump should no doubt be the whole tail, consisting chiefly of fat, and always regarded as a great delicacy in the East (see Herod., 3:113; Thompson, 'Land and the Book,' page 97). The burning of the fat…
What's easily missed is that the "whole rump" or "fat tail" was considered such a choice delicacy that it was explicitly set aside to be burned. This wasn't just any fat; it was the richest part, reserved for God as a special offering, highlighting that the most prized portions of the peace offering belonged entirely to Him.
This passage details the specific instructions for the "peace offering," which was a sacrifice of thanksgiving or fellowship. Following directions for offerings from the herd and flock, this verse focuses on the portion of a sheep designated for God, specifically highlighting the removal of the fat tail and internal fats to be burned on the altar as a "food offering." This meticulous process underscores the sacredness of what is given back to God from the bounty received.
This passage details the specific instructions for the "peace offering," which was a sacrifice of thanksgiving or fellowship. Following directions for offerings from the herd and flock, this verse focuses on the portion of a sheep designated for God, specifically highlighting the removal of the fat tail and internal fats to be burned on the altar as a "food offering." This meticulous process underscores the sacredness of what is given back to God from the bounty received.
"Then from the sacrifice of the peace offering he shall offer as a food offering to the LORD its fat; he shall remove the whole fat tail, cut off close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the ent…" — What's easily missed is that the "whole rump" or "fat tail" was considered such a choice delicacy that it was explicitly set aside to be burned. This wasn't just any fat; it was the richest part, res…
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Last reviewed October 2026
