Leviticus 3:4

4 And the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them; he shall take away that which is on the thighs, and the caul above the liver together with the kidneys.

Leviticus 3:4 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 3:4

And the two kidneys, and the fat that [is] on them, which
is [by] the flanks
Meaning either the two kidneys which were next the flanks, or the fat upon them, which was next to them; these, and the burning of them, may signify the burning zeal and flaming love and affections of Christ for his people, which instructed him, and put him upon offering himself a sacrifice of peace offering for them, see ( Psalms 16:7 )

and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take
away;
or the caul, which is a thin membrane or skin, in which the liver is enclosed, with the liver, together with the kidneys, he separated from the rest in order to burn, at least with a part of the liver; so Jarchi and Gersom interpret it, that he should take a little of the liver with the caul; and indeed some think the word rendered "caul" signifies a part of the liver, that which the Greeks call the "table", the broader part of it, like a table; and which word the Talmudists ^F7 retain, who speak of (adbkd hyvprj) , "the table of the liver"; and by which Jarchi on ( Exodus 29:13 ) interprets the caul above the liver, the same as here.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F7 T. Bab. Cholin, fol. 46. 1.

Leviticus 3:4 In-Context

2 And he shall lay his hands on the head of the gift, and shall slay it before the Lord, by the doors of the tabernacle of witness. And the priests the sons of Aaron shall pour the blood on the altar of burnt-offerings round about.

3 And they shall bring of the peace-offering a burnt-sacrifice to the Lord, the fat covering the belly, and all the fat on the belly.

4 And the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them; he shall take away that which is on the thighs, and the caul above the liver together with the kidneys.

5 And the priests the sons of Aaron shall offer them on the altar on the burnt-offering, on the wood which is on the fire upon the altar: a burnt-offering, a smell of sweet savour to the Lord.

6 And if his gift be of the sheep, a peace-offering to the Lord, male or female, he shall bring it unblemished.