Leviticus 3

CHAPTER 3

The Fellowship Offering (3:1–17)

1–16 The fellowship offering was also called a “peace offering”. As with the burnt offering, the sacrifice of the fellowship offering made atonement for the sins of the offerer. By laying his hand on the head of the animal to be sacrificed, the offerer symbolically transferred his sins to the animal (see Leviticus 1:3–4 and comment). This atonement, then, was the basis of the offerer’s “peace” or “fellowship” with God. One cannot have fellowship with God unless he first has PEACE with God; atonement results first of all in restoring peace between the offerer and God (Romans 5:1). That peace then opens the way to fellowship with God, mankind’s highest blessing.

The fellowship offerings could come from the herd or flock (cattle, sheep or goats), and the animals could be male or female of any age. Unlike the other animal offerings, the fellowship offering was meant to be eaten, and thus any of the above animals that were suitable for food could be offered. Indeed, another aspect of the “fellowship” associated with these offerings was the joyful communal meal that took place afterward in which the offerer’s family members could enjoy fellowship with each other.

The actual sacrifice of the animal was carried out in a manner similar to that of the burnt offering.⁸ The main difference with the fellowship offering was that only the fatty parts of the animal were burned on the altar as food⁹ (verses 11,16). This was an aroma pleasing to the LORD (verse 5) and thus would be accepted by Him (see Leviticus 1:5–17 and comment).

The priests also were given a special share of the fellowship offering to eat (Leviticus 7:28–34); this was a major source of protein for them. The offerer’s family, then, ate the rest of the animal after the priests had received their share.

During the three main annual festivals (Exodus 23:14–17), thousands of Israelites brought fellowship offerings to be sacrificed on the altar of burnt offering (Exodus 27:1). The fellowship offerings were voluntary; they were offered to express thanksgiving, to fulfill a vow, or simply to show one’s devotion to the Lord.

Further information concerning the fellowship offering is given in Leviticus 7:11–21.

17 You must not eat any fat or any blood. Because the fatty portions of the fellowship offering were the only parts burned on the altar, the fat of all animals was considered, in a sense, to be sacred and thus not to be eaten. In particular, eating the fat of any animal that could be offered as a burnt offering (cattle, sheep and goats) resulted in the person’s being cut off from his people (Leviticus 7:22–27).

The prohibition against eating blood was very important in ancient Israel (see Leviticus 7:26–27). The reason was that blood represented life; it was a symbol of life. Blood is not equal to life; it has no magical properties. It is only one of many parts of the body that enable people and animals to “live.” However, because blood is so visible, and because loss of blood can cause death, blood has become associated with life itself. Therefore, out of respect for the sacredness of life—especially human life—the Israelites were forbidden to “eat” blood (see Leviticus17:10–12 and comment).