Leviticus 3 – The Peace Offering: Fellowship Through Sacrifice
The peace offering was unique—it was shared. Part burned on the altar, part given to the priests, and part eaten by the worshiper. It signified peace, thankfulness, and restored relationship between God and man, and within the community.
Sacrifice Shared in Peace
The peace offering (or fellowship offering) reveals the relational aspect of worship. This was not an offering for sin, but a celebration of restored communion. It expressed thankfulness, fulfilled vows, or spontaneous joy. Unlike the burnt offering, the worshiper ate a portion—symbolizing unity and peace with God.
✔ It could be from herd or flock—male or female, but still without blemish.
✔ Blood was poured out, fat burned, and select parts offered.
✔ The rest was eaten in a sacred meal.
✔ It emphasized gratitude, community, and covenant joy.
📖 Key Verse: “It is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the Lord’s.” – Leviticus 3:16
🔎 Worship that brings peace is shared in joy, not just solemnity.
Leviticus Chapter 3 Overview
Leviticus 3:1–5 – Offering from the Herd
📖 Leviticus 3:1 – “If his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering…”
🔎 Peace through blood:
🔹 Though not a sin offering, it still required bloodshed—reminding us that peace with God comes through sacrifice.
🔹 Only the fat and inner parts were burned—these were considered the richest, most sacred parts.
🔹 The aroma pleased the Lord, not because of smell, but because of relationship and obedience.
➡️ Christ Connection: Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). His sacrifice not only removes wrath but brings fellowship and joy.
Leviticus 3:6–11 – Offering from the Flock
📖 Leviticus 3:9 – “And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the Lord…”
🔎 Shared sacrifice:
🔹 The process mirrors that of the herd offering—same holiness, different animal.
🔹 Again, it must be without blemish—peace requires purity.
🔹 The fat and kidneys were God’s portion—symbolizing offering our inward parts and deepest desires to Him.
➡️ Spiritual Insight: The parts offered in the peace offering speak to the depth of surrender, not just surface-level obedience.
Leviticus 3:12–17 – Offering from the Goats and the Fat Belongs to God
📖 Leviticus 3:16–17 – “All the fat is the Lord’s… It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations…”
🔎 God’s portion is honored:
🔹 The fat—the richest part—was never eaten. It represented the best, and belonged solely to God.
🔹 This teaches us that God gets the first and finest of all we receive.
🔹 Eating the meal together afterward signified unity with God and others in a sacred, joyful communion.
➡️ Faith Insight: When worship includes both sacrifice and shared joy, it brings healing and fellowship beyond the altar.
Leviticus Chapter 3 - Deeper Study
Overview: Peace Through Participation
🔹 Theme: Worship is not just vertical (to God), but also horizontal (among people).
🔹 Focus: Voluntary offering of thanksgiving and communion.
🔹 Outcome: Peace between God and man, shared joy among the community.
Living the Peace Offering Today
🔎 The peace offering translates into our spiritual walk as fellowship with God through Christ, and shared love among believers:
🔹 When we express gratitude in worship, we mirror the voluntary nature of the peace offering.
🔹 When we enjoy Christian fellowship—sharing meals, encouragement, or prayer—we reenact its spirit.
🔹 When we pursue peace in relationships, forgiving and reconciling, we reflect its purpose.
🔹 When we include the poor and marginalized in our blessings, we live its community intent.
📖 “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually… But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” – Hebrews 13:15–16
➡️ Modern Application: True worship includes celebration, shared life, and generous love toward others. The peace offering lives on every time we break bread in unity, give thanks to God, and extend peace in Christ’s name.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Peace requires sacrifice—even in celebration.
🔑 Worship can be joyful, shared, and relational.
🔑 The best belongs to God—He gets the inward parts.
🔑 Communion with God flows into communion with others.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Jesus is our peace offering, reconciling Jew and Gentile in one body (Ephesians 2:14–16).
🔮 The shared meal foreshadows the Lord’s Supper and future Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
🔮 The fat reserved for God reflects Christ giving His all to the Father (John 17:4).
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Communal Meal – This offering was eaten in fellowship—something rare in ancient sacrifice systems.
📜 Voluntary Offering – It wasn’t required but was a joyful, heartfelt gift.
📜 Covenant Bond – Sharing a meal was a sign of peace, loyalty, and reconciliation.
Final Reflection: The Table of Fellowship
Leviticus 3 invites us to feast with God. He doesn’t just demand sacrifice—He invites relationship. The peace offering reminds us that worship is not complete until it touches others. When the altar overflows into the table, we know true peace.
📌 Are you offering God the best of your heart—or just the scraps?
📌 Do you see worship as joyful communion, not just solemn duty?
📌 Is your walk with God spilling into love for people?
🚀 Bring your offering—and stay for the meal. God has made peace, and the table is set.
Laws for Peace Offerings
Lev 3:1 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.
Lev 3:2 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.
Lev 3:3 And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
Lev 3:4 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
Lev 3:5 And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
Lev 3:6 And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
Lev 3:7 If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the LORD.
Lev 3:8 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar.
Lev 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,
Lev 3:10 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
Lev 3:11 And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 3:12 And if his offering be a goat, then he shall offer it before the LORD.
Lev 3:13 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.
Lev 3:14 And he shall offer thereof his offering, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
Lev 3:15 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
Lev 3:16 And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD’S.
Lev 3:17 It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
Date Written
1445–1405 BC
Written By
Moses
Language
Hebrew
Verses
17