Leviticus 7:30-31
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse emphasizes that the offerer must bring the offering with his own hands, not delegate it, and the priest guides his hands to wave it before the Lord. This wasn't just a ritualistic step; it was a personal act of surrender and a public declaration of dedication to God, underscoring the owner's direct involvement in presenting his sacrifice.
His own hands shall bring the LORD’s food offerings. He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be waved as a wave offering before the LORD. The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be for Aaron and his sons.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage continues the instructions for presenting peace offerings, specifically detailing the portions belonging to the priests. After the animal is sacrificed, the owner himself must present the fatty parts (meant for burning) and the breast and shoulder to the priest. This act is part of a ritual where the priest assists the owner in waving these portions before the Lord, symbolizing their dedication before being consumed or given to the priests.
Imagine bringing a sacrifice to God, but not just handing it off. You're meant to be hands-on!
In Leviticus 7:30, the instructions for peace offerings are clear: 'His own hands shall bring the offerings of the LORD.' This wasn't just a symbolic gesture; it was a requirement for the person offering the sacrifice to be directly involved in presenting key parts of it.
Personal Presentation
This emphasized that the offering was a personal act of devotion and thanksgiving. It wasn't enough to simply authorize someone else to do it. The owner, the one making the sacrifice, had to physically bring the fat and the breast.
A Sacred Trust
This direct involvement fostered a deeper connection between the worshipper and God. It wasn't a detached transaction but a participatory act of faith, where the individual personally brought their offering to the Lord.
What did it mean to 'wave' an offering before the Lord? It was more than just a physical movement.
The act of waving the breast and fat (Leviticus 7:30) was a significant part of the peace offering ritual. It conveyed a powerful message of dedication and communion.
Giving to God, Receiving from God
Commentaries suggest that the waving motion, moving back and forth, symbolized the offering being first given to God and then, by His gracious provision, returned to the priest (and by extension, the offerer through the priest) for sustenance. It was a picture of receiving back from God what was first surrendered to Him.
Ask a follow-up
Acknowledging God's Sovereignty
This act also served as a public acknowledgment of God's dominion over all things – waving the offering towards the altar, representing His presence, and then back, indicating His blessing and provision extending over the land and life. It was a gesture of presenting the offering to the Lord of heaven and earth.
Understand the original words
cheleb · Hebrew Noun
The rich, fatty portion of the animal, often viewed as the choice or best part. In sacrificial law, the fat was reserved for the Lord as a pleasing aroma, signifying that the best of one's possessions belongs to God.
tenupah · Hebrew Noun
A specific ritual action where the priest and/or the offerer moved the offering in a side-to-side (waving) motion before the Lord. This act symbolized the presentation of the offering to God's presence, after which it was returned to the priest or offerer for their use.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
The mediator between God and the people, appointed to perform sacrifices, maintain the tabernacle/temple, and teach the law. Their primary function was to represent the people before God and facilitate atonement.
cheleb · Hebrew Noun
Often associated with the best part of an animal sacrifice; symbolically represents the richness or the 'life' of the offering, which was strictly reserved for God as the portion belonging solely to Him.
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
The place of sacrifice, typically a raised structure where offerings were consumed by fire. It serves as the meeting point between the holy God and sinful humanity, symbolizing atonement and consecration.
This passage describes the breast of the ram of consecration being waved as a wave offering, establishing the symbolic action of presenting a portion to God before it is given to the priest.
Numbers 6:20This verse explains the waving of the shoulder of the ram after the Nazarite's vow is fulfilled, mirroring the Levitical practice of dedicating a specific part of the offering to the Lord.
1 Samuel 2:19This verse highlights that Samuel's mother, Hannah, would bring yearly offerings, and the priest would present parts of the sacrifice, showing the continuity of these sacrificial practices.
Hebrews 10:19This New Testament passage speaks of drawing near to God with full assurance of faith through the blood of Jesus, which is the ultimate fulfillment of these Old Testament sacrificial gestures.
jfbLeviticus 7:28-38: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Le 7:28-38. The Priests' Portion.
clarkeLeviticus 7:30: "His own hands shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the fat with the breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the LORD."
Wave-offering - See Clarke on Exodus 29:27 (note).
The verse emphasizes that the offerer must bring the offering with his own hands, not delegate it, and the priest guides his hands to wave it before the Lord. This wasn't just a ritualistic step; it was a personal act of surrender and a public declaration of dedication to God, underscoring the owner's direct involvement in presenting his sacrifice.
This passage continues the instructions for presenting peace offerings, specifically detailing the portions belonging to the priests. After the animal is sacrificed, the owner himself must present the fatty parts (meant for burning) and the breast and shoulder to the priest. This act is part of a ritual where the priest assists the owner in waving these portions before the Lord, symbolizing their dedication before being consumed or given to the priests.
This passage continues the instructions for presenting peace offerings, specifically detailing the portions belonging to the priests. After the animal is sacrificed, the owner himself must present the fatty parts (meant for burning) and the breast and shoulder to the priest. This act is part of a ritual where the priest assists the owner in waving these portions before the Lord, symbolizing their dedication before being consumed or given to the priests.
"His own hands shall bring the LORD’s food offerings. He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be waved as a wave offering before the LORD. The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be for Aaron and…" — The verse emphasizes that the offerer must bring the offering with his own hands, not delegate it, and the priest guides his hands to wave it before the Lord. This wasn't just a ritualistic step; i…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
