Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, please study this chapter and then answer all 90 questions at the end of this chapter.

Leviticus Chapter 7

Verses 1-10: More details are given for the “trespass offering”, including the requirements for the priest who ate these sacrifices and further instructions concerning the priestly portion of the “burnt” and the “Meat” offerings.

The trespass or guilt offering (see notes on 5:14 – 6:7).

(Verses 7-10), provide a brief discussion on what may be eaten by the priest.

Leviticus 7:1 “Likewise this [is] the law of the trespass offering: it [is] most holy.”

Or the various rites and rules to be observed at the offering of it. The persons for whom it was to be made are described in the two preceding chapters (Lev. 5:1). Both such that sinned through ignorance, and knowingly, and here the place and parts of the offering, and how to be disposed of, are declared.

“It is most holy”: Wholly devoted for sacred use, either to the Lord, or to his priests. There were some things the Jews call light holy things, and others most holy in the highest degree. Of this sort was the trespass offering (see note on 2:3).

All of this has been dealt with in detail in a previous lesson, but we can always find another lesson in all of these rituals of service to God. The one thing that stands out to me, in all of this is that all of this is done to bring man into right standing with holy God. Praise God, Jesus took care of all of this for the Christian. Jesus fulfilled every aspect of all of these offerings at once when He gave His body in sacrifice for all who would believe. I have said before, but I think it bears repeating, that the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem was allowed by God to stop the people from continuing to sacrifice. Jesus did it all. His sacrifice was the ultimate sacrifice which took the place of all sacrifices. His sacrifice one time was for all time for everyone who would believe. If you believe that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, there is no more need to sacrifice.

Leviticus 7:2 “In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar.”

“In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering (see Lev. 1:11).

“And the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar”: On the upper part of it. There was a scarlet thread that was drawn around the altar in the middle, the blood of some of the sacrifices was sprinkled below it. And some above it, as was the blood of the trespass offering.

About the only thing that we need to point out here is, the blood in this particular instance was not put on the horns of the altar. In most of the sin offerings, the blood was applied to the horns of the altar, but in this trespass offering, it will be sprinkled all around on the altar. Horns denote power, as you remember.

Leviticus 7:3 “And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof; the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards,”

To the Lord, that being claimed by him, as in the peace offerings of the herd, and of the flock, whether a bullock or cow, a lamb or a goat (Lev. 3:3). And in the sin offering of the bullock (Lev. 1:8).

“And the rump, or tail, which of sheep and rams, for the trespass offering, was very large and fat in those countries (see notes on Exodus 29:22, Lev. 3:9).

“And the fat that covereth the inwards”: Called the “omentum”.

Leviticus 7:4 “And the two kidneys, and the fat that [is] on them, which [is] by the flanks, and the caul [that is] above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away:”

Which are usually covered with fat.

“Which is by the flanks”: Or rather that which is “upon” them; for this respects not the situation of the kidneys, nor the fat upon them, but the fat which is upon the flanks. As distinct from that, and where there are great collops of it (see Job 15:27).

“And the caul that is above the liver”: The lobe upon the liver, according to the Septuagint.

“With the kidneys, it shall he take away”: All the fat before mentioned, together with the kidneys, were to be taken away from the ram of the trespass offering, and burnt, as follows.

Leviticus 7:5 “And the priest shall burn them upon the altar [for] an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it [is] a trespass offering.”

Fat taken off of the several parts before mentioned. And the kidneys which were to be:

“For an offering made by fire unto the Lord”: And was acceptable to him, being typical of the offering of Christ. Which is a sweet smelling savor, bearing the fire of divine wrath in the room and stead of his people.

“It is the trespass offering”: An offering for a trespass committed, to make atonement for it. And this part of it, the burning of the fat, was properly the offering to the Lord, all the rest were the priest’s, as follows.

We went into great detail in a previous lesson in this series on why the inward parts were to be burned. The fat of course, was always burned. Here is just one statement to remind us. The body of Jesus Christ took on the sins of the whole world. The Spirit within that body was God. The Spirit of God within the body of Jesus was always Holy. The Spirit of Jesus was always desiring to please the Father. These inward parts here that make a sweet savor to God, are like the Spirit of God within Jesus’ flesh. The Spirit of Jesus glorified the Father in everything He did on earth. The sweet smelling savor symbolizes the glorifying of the Father by Jesus.

Leviticus 7:6 “Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it [is] most holy.”

Of the flesh of it, after the fat was taken off and burnt. The rest belonged to the priests and their sons, and to them only, not to their wives and daughters.

“It shall be eaten in the holy place”: In the court of the tabernacle, in some apartment in it, for that purpose, as afterwards in the temple. It was not to be carried home to their houses, for all in the family to partake of, only the priests and their sons were to eat of it.

“It is most holy”: And therefore none but such who were devoted to holy services might eat of it. Only sanctified persons, true believers, who are made priests unto God, have a right to eat of the altar Christ, or, can eat his flesh in a spiritual sense, and feed upon him by faith, and receive nourishment from him (Heb. 13:10).

Remember from the previous lesson that, the priests (male), represents all Christians, male and female.

John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:”

Notice in the following Scripture, who are the sons of God.

Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

All believers in Christ, male and female are also the bride of Christ. (In Galatians 3:28), you may read where there is no male or female with God.

Leviticus 7:7 “As the sin offering [is], so [is] the trespass offering: [there is] one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have [it].”

“One law for them” both mean that whatever the priest was allowed from the “sin offering”, he could have from the “trespass offering” (5:5-6; see note on 6:26).

We must not forget; that these priests eating the flesh of the animal sacrificed as a substitute, is a shadow of us believers in Christ eating the flesh of our substitute (Jesus Christ). Let me repeat the Scripture one more time, so that we will not forget it.

John 6:53 “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.”

We see from this the significance of the priests (who symbolize the Christians), eating the flesh of the sacrifice.

Leviticus 7:8 “And the priest that offereth any man’s burnt offering, [even] the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering which he hath offered.”

In which the flesh was wholly burnt, and nothing of it remained to requite the priest for his trouble, as in other offerings.

“Even the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering, which he hath offered”: In some cases, the skin itself was burnt, and then he would have nothing (see Lev. 4:11). But in others the skin was reserved for the priest. There seems to be an emphasis upon the phrase “to himself”, and may signify, that though in other things other priests might partake with him, yet not in this. And so Maimonides observes, that the skin was not given to every priest, but to him that offered the sacrifice. And elsewhere he says, the skins of light holy things are the owner’s, but the skins of the most holy things are the priest’s.

Let me remind all of us, the importance of this hide. God made a covering for Adam and Eve of the hide of the animal God killed in the garden. The blood of Jesus is our covering (if we are a Christian). God has always provided a covering for man.

Leviticus 7:9 “And all the meat offering that is baked in the oven, and all that is dressed in the frying pan, and in the pan, shall be the priest’s that offereth it.”

Or “every meat offering”, whether dressed in one way or another, and which was done in one or other of these three ways. Of which this was one, baked in an oven heated for that purpose.

“And all that is dressed in the frying pan”: Such as we call pancakes.

“And in the pan”: Which was different from the frying pan. It seems to be what was set upon a hearth made hot, and soon baked (see notes on Lev. 6:21). Of these three different ways of dressing the meat offering (see Lev. 2:4).

Leviticus 7:10 “And every meat offering, mingled with oil, and dry, shall all the sons of Aaron have, one [as much] as another.”

Rather it should be rendered “or dry”; that is, as Jarchi interprets it, that has no oil in it. The meat offering in common, let it be dressed in what way whatsoever, was mingled with oil. But in the poor man’s offering for sin, which was as a meat offering, no oil was to be put upon it (Lev. 5:11). But whether the offering was with or without oil, moist or dry, it;

“Shall all the sons of Aaron have, one as much as another”: It was to be equally divided among them. Or a priest offering it at one time, was to have the same as another priest at another time. It was always alike, all that remained, except the handful that was burnt, was the priest’s.

Again here, let us remember that the meat offering had no animal flesh. The things that make bread were the emblems of the meat offering. The meat offering was called meat, because it symbolized the body of Jesus Christ (the Bread of life).

Mark 14:22 “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake [it], and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.”

In the next verse, Jesus calls Himself the Bread from heaven.

John 6:51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Verses 11-36: The peace offering (see notes on 3:1-17). The purposes for the peace offering are given (in verses 11-18). Special instructions which prevented a priest from being “cut off” (verses 19-27), and the allotment to Aaron and his sons (verses 28-36), are enumerated.

Verses 11-15: A peace offering for thanksgiving shall also be combined with a grain offering (see 2:1-16). The meat had to be eaten that same day, probably for the reason of health since it would rapidly spoil. And for the purpose of preventing people from thinking that such meat had some spiritual presence in it, thus developing some superstitions.

Leviticus 7:11 “And this [is] the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.”

Some other laws and rules respecting the oblation of them. In (Lev. 3:1), an account is given of what they should be, both of the herd and flock, and of the burning of the fat of them. And here the several sorts of them are distinctly observed, what should be offered with them, and the part the priest should have of it, and when the flesh of them should be eaten.

This peace offering reminds us that the only true peace is in Jesus. The peace offering always was after the other offerings, and was given in praise and thanksgiving for what God had done for us through His Son Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace, not by our works. After studying these offerings in the Old Testament, we should be even more thankful for the great, completed work that Jesus did for all who would believe. This peace offering just shows what blessings are in store for those who choose Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Leviticus 7:12 “If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.”

Which Jarchi restrains to the wonderful deliverances of seafaring persons, of travelers, and of such as have been confined in prison, or have labored under violent diseases and disorders of body. And so Aben Ezra seems to understand it only of thanksgivings on account of being delivered out of distress. But it might be for the common mercies of life, or any particular mercy or instance of divine goodness a man was sensible of, and thought proper in this way to make an acknowledgment of it.

“Then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving”: Which, if of the herd, was either a bullock or a cow; and if of the flock, was either a lamb or a goat.

“Unleavened cakes mingled with oil”: Ten of them, according to the Jewish writers. The measure of flour, of which they were made, were, as Jarchi says, five Jerusalem seahs or pecks. Which were six of those used in the wilderness, and made twenty tenths or omers. An omer being the tenth part of an ephah. The oil they were mingled with, as to the quantity of it, was half a log. A fourth part of it was for the cakes, hastily baked, (said in the latter part of this verse to be fried). An eighth part for those baked, (intended in this clause), and an eighth part for the wafers next mentioned.

“And unleavened wafers anointed with oil”: These were a thinner sort of cakes, made without leaven as the others. But the oil was not mixed with the flour in the making of them, but put upon them when made. And therefore, said to be anointed with it; there were also ten of these.

“And cakes mingled with oil of fine flour, fried”: These were such as were hastily and not thoroughly baked (Lev. 6:21). Or, as Jarchi and Ben Gersom, they were mixed and boiled with hot water, as much as was sufficient. Or, according to Maimonides, were fried in oil; and there were ten of these, in all thirty.

I see in this, the continual thanksgiving that we should be giving God. He has blessed us so abundantly, far above what we could ask or think. How can we ever thank Him enough?

Leviticus 7:13 “Besides the cakes, he shall offer [for] his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings.”

“Leavened bread”: Contrast the unleavened grain offering (see 2:11).

In a previous lesson, we mentioned that the leavened bread allowed here is because this offering pleases man. We see in these last lessons, not only the offerings which symbolize the crucifixion of Jesus, but the resurrection as well. The promise for the believer that brings him or her peace, is the hope of the resurrection.

Leviticus 7:14 “And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation [for] a heave offering unto the LORD, [and] it shall be the priest’s that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings.”

That is, one out of the unleavened cakes, and out of the unleavened wafers, and out of the cakes fried, and out of the cakes leavened. Lo, says Aben Ezra, four at least, and the truth is, adds he, there were ten. And so Maimonides says, the priest took out of all the four cakes, one out of every sort, as it is said, “and of it he shall offer one”.

“And it shall be the priest’s that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings”: That is, that part of the cakes and bread, which is offered as a heave offering to the Lord, was the portion of the priests. And so Maimonides says, “the bread waved (rather heaved), with the thank offering was eaten by the priests, and the rest of the bread by the owners.”

Leviticus 7:15 “And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.”

Having given directions about the cakes and bread that went along with the peace offerings, offered in thankfulness for mercies received. Instructions are next given about eating the flesh of them. And the order is, that that;

“Shall be eaten the same day that it is offered”: Partly by him that brought them, and his family, and partly by the poor he was to invite to eat thereof. And also by the priests and Levites, who were to have their share of it (see Deut. 12:11).

“He shall not leave any of it until the morning”: Which was ordered to encourage liberality to the priests, Levites, and others, since all must be eaten up before morning. According to the Jewish canons, they might eat it no longer than midnight; by that time, it was to be all consumed. And it is said, the wise men made a hedge to the law to keep men from sin.

One of the things that Christian ministers can take from this is, that communion should not be held over to the next service. We should eat all the remaining bread that was offered at the communion service and drink all of the remaining fruit of the vine that was poured out for serving. We should not pour it back in the bottle or put the bread back in the box. All that was prepared to serve must be consumed. Most all these offerings have been dealt with in detail in a previous lesson. Anything you might desire to know, in addition to the mentioned things here, refer back to the place they were previously mentioned.

Verses 16-18: “Vow … offering”: The priest could eat the meat the same day or next day, but eating on the third day brought punishment.

Leviticus 7:16 “But if the sacrifice of his offering [be] a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:”

Be on account of a vow made, as, that if he was favored with such and such benefits, or delivered out of such and such troubles and distresses, then he would offer such a sacrifice.

“Or a voluntary offering”: Without any condition or obligation. What from the mere motion of his mind he freely offered. Not being directed to it by any command of God, or under any necessity from a vow of his own, and without any view to; any future good to be enjoyed. Aben Ezra describes both the one and the other thus: A “vow” which he uttered with his lips in his distresses, a “voluntary offering”, which his spirit made him willing to bring. A sacrifice to God neither for a vow nor for thanksgiving.

“It shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice”: That is, it shall be begun to be eaten then, and if all is eaten up it is very well. But they were not obliged in either of these cases, as in the preceding, to eat up all, and leave none to the morning. For it follows:

“And on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten”: Some of it, if thought fit, and could not be conveniently eaten, might be kept till the day after the sacrifice, but no longer.

It seems this offering varies from the other offerings in that this is a voluntary offering, and not a required offering. Of course, all the thank offerings were not required, but they were for a special thing God had done and were expected. This offering here is not expected, just done because the person loves God. The fact that this was a voluntary offering, gave a little more lee-way to the person offering and allowed for two days for it to be consumed. The vow offering would be showing that the vow made to God was completed. The voluntary offering would be a thanks praise to God. This would not necessarily be for any specific thing, but just to praise God for His activities in their life.

Leviticus 7:17 “But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.”

What remained of it uneaten on the second day, and was kept till the third.

“Shall be burnt with fire”: That it might neither corrupt, nor be put to superstitious uses, nor be of any profit in any respect. That so distrust of the care of Providence might be discouraged. Perhaps some respect may be had in the type to the resurrection of Christ on the third day, having seen no corruption.

Flesh carried over to the third day would certainly be spoiled, in the days when there was no refrigeration. The best thing to do with it would be to burn it up, so no one would be poisoned by it. In many of these offerings, we will see that God takes care of man.

Leviticus 7:18 “And if [any] of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.”

Any part of it, even the least.

“It shall not be accepted”: As a sacrifice well pleasing to God; he will take no delight in it, or express any satisfaction therein. But, on the contrary, reject it with abhorrence.

“Neither shall it be imputed to him that offereth it”: The Targum of Jonathan adds, for merit or righteousness. It shall not be accounted a righteous action, or the offeror receive any benefit by it.

“It shall be an abomination”: To God, the flesh being kept so long, through a sordid and miserly disposition.

“And the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity”: It shall not be forgiven him; he shall bear the punishment of it.

In all the offerings, we have seen that God will not accept things that are rejects. All the animals had to be the best. You can easily see why God would not count it a sacrifice to give Him, in a burnt offering, something that was ruined. We really know that someone who eats bad meat does bear the iniquity. They become very sick.

Verses 19-21: To be “cut off” was to be completely excluded from the community life of the Israelites and removed from God’s covenant, either through banishment or execution (Gen. 17:14). Such harsh punishment was always the consequence when a person failed to treat what was holy with proper reverence (Heb. 10:26-31). Paul encouraged believers to demonstrate the same type of reverence and self-examination before partaking of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:27-29).

Leviticus 7:19 “And the flesh that toucheth any unclean [thing] shall not be eaten; it shall be burnt with fire: and as for the flesh, all that be clean shall eat thereof.”

That is, the flesh of the peace offerings. Should it be touched by any unclean person, man or woman. That was so in a ceremonial sense, being menstruous, or having touched anything unclean. Or touched by any unclean creature, as a dog or the like. As it might be while carried from the tabernacle to any of their tents or houses.

“It shall be burnt with fire”: That no profit might be had of it; and this was to make them careful in carrying it from place to place.

“And as for the flesh, all that be clean shall eat thereof. That are clean in a ceremonial sense; as all that are clean in an evangelic sense. Through the blood and righteousness of Christ, may, by faith, eat his flesh and drink his blood. Jarchi observes, that whereas it is said (Deut. 12:27), “thou shall eat the flesh”. Some might object and say, that none might eat of the peace offerings but the owners of them. Therefore, it is said here, “all that be clean shall eat”. Not the owners only, nor the priests and Levites only, but whoever the offeror should invite to eat thereof, provided he was clean.

As I have said so many times during these lessons, so many of these ordinances are for the good of man. Notice the burning with fire is not in offering to God. This meat is not good for anything or anyone. The peace offerings were to thank God for fellowshipping with man. When we take of the communion table, we are really remembering and thanking Jesus for making it possible for us to fellowship with the Father. There is peace with God and man, and man should be thankful for it. The shed blood of Jesus Christ is what reconciled us to the Father. When mankind is at peace with God, we are saying that we trust in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to save us. We are told over and over in the words of Jesus, not to fear, but have faith. The Scripture in John which says; Let not your heart be troubled, makes us know that it is within our power not to worry. Fear is the opposite of faith. Have faith and pray for more faith every day. Learn to trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. He is our only hope. Thank Him for the wonderful payment He made in our stead.

Leviticus 7:20 “But the soul that eateth [of] the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that [pertain] unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.”

That are offered up to him, and so are holy, and therefore not to be eaten by unholy persons. Or by any;

“Having his uncleanness upon him”: A person that has an issue running out of him, a gonorrhea (see Lev. 15:2).

“Even that soul shall be cut off from his people”: Be disfranchised as an Israelite, be debarred the privileges of the sanctuary. Or be cut off by death before the usual time and term of man’s life. So those that eat and drink unworthily in the supper of our Lord, where his flesh is eaten and his blood drank, eat and drink damnation to themselves (1 Cor. 11:29).

We Christians are warned not to eat the communion unworthily in the following verse.

1 Corinthians 11:27 “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

These following Scriptures can say it far better than I could ever express it.

Psalms 24:3-5 “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?” “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” “He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

The Lord Jesus Christ took our sin upon His body on the cross, and in turn clothed us with His righteousness, if we have accepted Him as our Savior. Christians have been cleansed from all sin, but as long as we live in a house of flesh, that flesh will desire to sin. For a Christian to please God, our spirit has to rule over our flesh. We must not fall to fleshly temptation, nor should we touch (associate with), the unclean.

Leviticus 7:21 “Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean [thing, as] the uncleanness of man, or [any] unclean beast, or any abominable unclean [thing], and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which [pertain] unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.”

Person or thing, the dead body of a man, or the bone of a dead body, or a grave in which it was laid.

“As the uncleanness of man”: The issue that runs from a profluvious person (see Lev. 15:2).

“Or any unclean beast”: That was so by the law ceremonial (see Lev. 11:4).

“Or any abominable unclean thing”: Which the Targum of Jonathan interprets of every unclean reptile (see Lev. 11:20).

“And eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the Lord, even that soul shall be cut off from his people (see notes on Lev. 7:20).

The message for the believers in this is found in the 6th chapter of Hebrews. This Scripture above is speaking of those who have been cleansed and are permitted to eat of this meat. We have said so many times that this is a shadow of those who are Christians eating of the flesh of Jesus. After we have eaten of this Holy One, and then go back into a sinful way of life, and start fellowshipping with those of the earth (the unclean), that soul shall be cut off from God.

Hebrews 6:4-6 “For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,” “And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,” “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.”

Leviticus 7:22 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”

This formula introduces a fresh communication made to the lawgiver (Lev. 7:22-27). Containing explanations and restrictions of the precept laid down in (Lev. 3:17), about the fat and blood of animals. The section before us, therefore, supplements and expands the previous law upon the same subject. Just as the foregoing section supplemented and expanded the regulations about the different sacrifices.

Again, we are reminded here where this message originated and to whom it was given.

Leviticus 7:23 “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat.”

Putting them in mind, by repeating to them the laws concerning fat and blood (Lev. 3:17).

“Ye shall eat no manner of fat”: If any creature fit for food, whose flesh otherwise may be eaten, and particularly;

“Of ox, or of sheep, or of goats”: Creatures used in sacrifice. Though this is not to be restrained to such of them, and the fat of them that were sacrificed. Whose fat was claimed by the Lord as his, and was burnt on his altar. But this is to be understood of the fat of these creatures when killed for their common use, for the food of them and their families. The fat even of these was not to be eaten. That which was not separated from the flesh, but mixed with it, might be eaten, but not that which was separated.

Oxen and sheep and goats were animals that were sacrificed to God many times. God reminded Moses to remind the people that they were to eat no fat from the type of animals that were offered to God. The fat and the blood were reserved for God.

Leviticus 7:24 “And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it.”

Of any disease, and is not regularly killed.

“And the fat of that which is torn with beasts”: With wild beasts.

“May be used in any other use”: As in medicine, for plasters, or for making candles. Or for greasing of anything to make it smooth and pliable, or the like.

“But ye shall in no wise eat of it”: Such carcasses themselves were not to be eaten of, and one would think their fat in course must be unlawful. But however, to prevent the doing of it, this particular law was given. And those that broke this were doubly guilty, as the Jews observe. Once in eating things that died of themselves, or were torn with beasts, and again by eating the fat of them.

These animals would be unfit for sacrifice to God. He allowed them to use this fat for purposes other than consumption (eating), by man.

Leviticus 7:25 “For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, even the soul that eateth [it] shall be cut off from his people.”

As oxen, sheep, rams, or goats. Meaning not only the fat of those that are offered, but the fat of all those of the like kind.

“Even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people” (see notes on Lev. 7:20). Maimonides observes, that the punishment of cutting off is enjoined for the eating of fat, because men used to count it delicious. For which reason also God would honor his sacrifices with it. And he further observes, that the fat of the intestines contains too much fatty acids, hinders digestion, generates gross and frigid blood, hence it is much better it should be burnt than eaten. And that blood and what dies of itself are of difficult digestion, and of bad nourishment. Wherefore the latter is forbidden in (Lev. 7:24). And the former in (Lev. 7:26), of the punishment for eating fat.

This is stealing the things of God for your own personal use. This sin would be against God Himself. This would be a deliberate act of defiance toward God. It would even be like trying to say we are equal with God. Many false teachers today are saying that man, who is saved by Jesus Christ, is equal with God. This is false. We Christians are not equal with God. We are His servants, who have been adopted into His family. We share in the inheritance, because Jesus purchased our right to the inheritance for us, but we will never be a god.

Leviticus 7:26 “Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, [whether it be] of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.”

Of any of the above creatures, or any other, even of any clean creature, and much less of an unclean one.

“Whether it be of fowl or of beast”: Of all sorts and kinds. Jarchi thinks, the words being thus expressed, the blood of fishes and locusts is excepted, and so lawful to eat.

“In any of your dwellings”: This shows that this law is not to be restrained to creatures slain in sacrifice in the tabernacle, and to the blood of them. But to be understood of all such as were slain in their own houses for food, and the blood of them.

All blood belongs to God. Many devil worshippers today drink blood in their meetings. If nothing else told of their terrible error, this should. God has forbidden man to drink or eat blood throughout the Bible. Even in the New Testament, one of the ordinances is to eat no blood.

Acts 21:25 “As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written [and] concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from [things] offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.”

This is the law of the early church, but notice, they must refrain from the taking of blood by eating or drinking it.

Leviticus 7:27 “Whatsoever soul [it be] that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.”

The Targum of Jonathan adds, of any living creature, that is, of any while it is alive. For the Jews always interpret the law (in Gen. 9:4), of the member of a living creature torn off from it, and its flesh with the blood eaten directly.

“Even that soul shall be cut off from his people”: Maimonides observes, that to some sorts of food that cutting off is threatened, particularly to blood. Because of the eager desire of men to eat it in those times, and because it precipitated them to a certain species of idolatry. He means that of the Zabians, of which (see note on Ezek. 33:25). Of the true reason of the prohibition of eating blood under the law (see Lev. 17:10).

There is great freedom in Christianity, but notice that there were a few things so abominable to God, that they will not be overlooked. God will still hold a person responsible for drinking or eating blood.

Verses 28-36: This summary of sacrifices from the preceding chapters is a reminder that Yahweh prescribed these offerings as an act of mercy, to enable His people to approach Him and please Him. All these offerings were fulfilled in the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Leviticus 7:28 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”

At the same time the above laws were delivered; for what follows relates to the sacrifice of the peace offerings.

“Saying”: As follows.

When we see this statement made by the LORD, we know we begin a new train of thought. Remember, LORD here means Jehovah.

Leviticus 7:29 “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the LORD shall bring his oblation unto the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.”

“Offerings … sacrifice”: The worshiper made a peace offering from his sacrifice so that the Lord received the blood (verse 33), and the fat (verse 33). The priests received the breast (verses 30-31), and the right thigh (verse 33). The worshiper could use the rest for himself.

As I have said so many times, we must see a message for Christians in this, if we are to benefit by studying these offerings. We mentioned this before, but it bears repeating again. The only peace any of us have is the peace that Jesus brings us. Jesus is THE KING OF PEACE. He is our peace.

Ephesians 2:14 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];”

The He, in this Scripture, is Jesus. We are saved by grace and nothing else, but those who are truly saved want to work for God. There are 3 Scriptures (in James 1), would like to quote here in regards to this.

James 2:18 “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”

James 2:20 “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Verses 30-32: “Wave offering”: This was a symbolic act indicating the offering was for the Lord. Bread (Exodus 29:23-24), meat (Exodus 29:22-24), gold (Exodus 38:24), oil (Lev. 14:12), and grain (Lev. 23:11), all served as wave offerings. Another type of offering was the heave offering. Jewish tradition portrayed the wave offering as being presented with a horizontal motion and the heave offering with a vertical motion, as suggested by (Lev. 10:15).

Leviticus 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.”

That is, such parts of the peace offerings as were to be burnt with fire, as the fat on several parts described in (Lev. 3:3). The owners of the offerings were to bring them in the manner as will be presently observed.

“The fat with the breast, it shall he bring”: The fat to be burnt, and the breast for the priest and his sons, as in the following verse (Lev. 7:31).

“That the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the Lord”: How this waving was performed (see notes on Exodus 29:24), particularly with respect to these peace offerings it was thus. If a thank offering, the priest takes of the bread brought with it (one cake) out of ten, and lays it with the breast, the shoulder, and the inwards, and waves all upon the hands of the owners, on which he puts the fat. Then the breast and the shoulder above (i.e. upon the fat), then the two kidneys, and the caul, and the liver above them. And if there was any bread, he put it over them, and waved all, putting his hand under the hands of the owner.

One thing we must remember in this and all other offerings; this has to be a deliberate act of the offeror. Just as each person, coming to Christ, has to desire to come to the Lord. The Lord Jesus does not just save everyone; the person being saved has to desire to be saved. I believe that is what is intended above, when it says (His own hands). Salvation is individual. Salvation is for whosoever will. We have to desire salvation to receive it. God will not overrule our will and save us. Salvation comes to those who turn their will over to God’s will. We must be willing to be saved. There is something man has to do to be saved. In an act of our own will, we must believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Acts 16:31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

When the offering was waved before the LORD, even though it was not burned up, it was first offered to God. Things Christians give to the church, even though it pays the preacher’s salary, are offerings to God.

Leviticus 7:31 “And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.”

Of burnt offering, even the fat upon the inwards, the two kidneys, the flanks, the caul, and liver.

“But the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons”: Which being waved before the Lord for a wave offering, was the Lord’s, and so was given to his priests to eat of, for the service done by them. It being but reasonable that they that serve at the altar should live of it. And thus, with other things, a maintenance was provided for the priests and their families. As it should also to be for Gospel ministers under the present dispensation.

We see in this that it is not wrong for the servants of God to live of the gifts brought to God. God has His portion, but the ministers also, may partake of the gifts of God.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14 ” Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?” “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

Leviticus 7:32 “And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest [for] a heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.”

Whether of an ox or a cow, a lamb or a goat.

“Of the sacrifices of your peace offerings”: Which were of either of these creatures. The Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, “the right arm from the shoulder to the elbow.” The breast being the seat of wisdom, and the shoulder of strength. Some think this denotes Christ as the wisdom and power of God unto his people, his priests. Who have all their knowledge and strength from him. And who bears them on his heart and on his shoulder.

The priest was to have the best offering, after it was heaved (dedicated), to God. The right side was always the best blessing. The heave offering was waved from side to side while being lifted up and down. Even though this was not burned as a sweet savor, this heaving showed that it was offered to God.

Leviticus 7:33 “He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for [his] part.”

Who sprinkled the blood of them upon the altar round about, and burnt the fat upon it, which were rites enjoined to be observed (Lev. 3:2).

“Shall have the right shoulder for his part”: His particular part and share, because of his service. Aben Ezra remarks, that the right shoulder was given to him that sprinkled the blood, and the breast to all the priests. And Jarchi observes, that he that was fit for sprinkling the blood, and burning the fat, and went out an unclean person in the time of sprinkling the blood, or burning the fat, had no part in the flesh.

In this offering, the best was given to the priest who offered the blood of this offering. The word that was translated shoulder here, means to run. On an animal all four legs are used to run, so it could have been any of them. It really does not matter which leg it was. It does matter that it was from the right side, which was the better of the blessings. It would have been an honor to offer the blood, and probably meant that it was the son who was directly in line to be the high priest after his father.

Leviticus 7:34 “For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.”

These two parts were particularly pitched upon and selected.

“From off the sacrifices of their peace offering”: The rest being allowed the owners, besides what were burnt.

“And have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons, by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel”: As long as the priesthood lasted, even to the coming of the Messiah, in whom all these sacrifices would have their accomplishment and their end.

The priests were a family who had no inheritance in the land. They were to live of the things of God. They were to be a separated people who depended entirely upon the Lord. The tribe of Levi actually took the place of the first born in each family. This offering that was theirs was for ever. If you look at their counterpart in our society today, they would be the ministers.

Leviticus 7:35 “This [is the portion] of the anointing of Aaron, and of the anointing of his sons, out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, in the day [when] he presented them to minister unto the LORD in the priest’s office;”

Of his being anointed to the priestly office. This is the part allotted and assigned him for the execution of it. This is the reward, as Aben Ezra interprets it, of his faithful performance of it. Namely, his having the wave breast and heave shoulder of the peace offerings, and a cake out of every one of the unleavened cakes, together with the leavened bread. Besides other perquisites from other offerings.

“And of the anointing of his sons”: The successors of him in the priest hood. The Targum of Jonathan adds, above all their brethren the Levites.

“Out of the offerings of the Lord made by fire”: Out of such whose fat on the several parts of them was burnt with fire, such as the peace offerings were.

“In the day when he presented them to minister unto the Lord in the priest’s office”: When they were ordered to be taken out from among the children of Israel, and to be consecrated to, and invested with, the priest’s office. As they were by Moses, and presented by him unto him as his priests. At that time the above portion was assigned them, as follows in the next verse.

Aaron and his sons did not choose this job for themselves, but were called of God for this purpose. Ministers could take a lesson from this today. If God did not call you to the ministry, you should not preach. No one should choose the ministry for a profession. The only way God will accept you as a minister is, if He called you. Ministry is a calling, not a profession.

Leviticus 7:36 “Which the LORD commanded to be given them of the children of Israel, in the day that he anointed them, [by] a statute for ever throughout their generations.”

Whenever they brought their offerings to be offered up by them, such parts thereof were ordered to be allowed them as theirs.

“In the day that he anointed them”: Or from the day they were anointed of Moses, by the direction of the Lord. From that time, they had a right and claim to the above things, out of the sacrifices brought, so Aben Ezra. “He anointed them” (see 8:30). And this was;

“By a statute for ever throughout their generations”: In all successive generations, unto the coming of the Messiah, which would put an end to their priesthood. Thus, the Lord provided for the maintenance of his ministers, till that time came. And since it has been the ordinance of Christ, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel (1 Cor. 9:13).

To try to preach without the anointing of God, would be a disaster. My own personal belief is that God sets persons aside for His ministry from their birth. Sometimes a person may be a long time in answering the call, but it is there from birth. It seems as if God protects those He has called with a special protection all of their life.

Verses 37-38: Moses gives a summary conclusion of (1:3 – 7:36).

Leviticus 7:37 “This [is] the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;”

“This is the law of the burnt offering”: As delivered (Leviticus 6:9);

“Of the meat offering (as in Leviticus 6:14);

“And of the sin offering (as in Leviticus 6:25);

“And of the trespass offering (as in Leviticus 7:1);

“And of the consecrations; of Aaron and his sons to the priest’s office (as in Lev. 6:20).

“And of the sacrifice of the peace offerings” (as in this chapter, Leviticus 7:11), for this is only a recapitulation of the several laws respecting these things before observed.

“And of the consecrations”: This refers to the offerings at the ordination of Aaron and his sons (see 8:14-36; Exodus 29:1-46).

We see from this that, God provides for those in His service by the unique way of sharing in the gifts offered to Him. These offerings are for man to be able to fellowship with holy God. As we said at the beginning of (chapter 7), all the offerings and the consecrations and the sacrifices are fulfilled for the Christian by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Leviticus 7:38 “Which the LORD commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai.”

Or “by” or “near” Mount Sinai. For the above laws were not given to Moses when on the mount, but after the tabernacle was erected. And out of it, as appears (from Lev. 1:1), and to which what follows agrees.

“In the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai”. Where they were when the above laws were delivered to them, and which wilderness had its name from the mount near to which they now were. And where the tabernacle was pitched, from where the Lord spoke. And so the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, “in the tabernacle which they made for him in the wilderness of Sinai”. There they were ordered to offer their oblations of every sort, as before directed. It should be observed, that this is understood of the command given in the wilderness to offer sacrifices, but not of the sacrifices themselves then offered. Which were not done while there (see Jer. 7:22).

We see these laws were given to Moses at Mount Sinai. They were to be kept forever by God’s people. Physical Israel kept these in the physical. Spiritual Israel (Christians), keep all of these when they accept Jesus as the final fulfillment of them all. Jesus fulfilled the law when He gave His body on the cross as our substitution. Thank God, His sacrifice was sufficient for all time for all who will believe. How can you neglect so great a gift? Accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord today. Christians have a hope that the rest of the world does not have. We have the hope of the resurrection.

Leviticus 7: Questions