FocusApproaching God in worship
Connection to the wholeThe offerings and priestly responsibilities establish the sacrificial framework assumed by the following accounts and laws.
interpretation Leviticus 3:2
KJVAnd 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.
Read it in context
Laws for Peace Offerings
Start reading at Leviticus 3:1 (Leviticus 3:1 to Leviticus 3:17).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The offerings and priestly responsibilities establish the sacrificial framework assumed by the following accounts and laws.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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,
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3:7 If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the LORD.
- 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.
- 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,
- 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.
- 3:11 And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD.
- 3:12 And if his offering be a goat, then he shall offer it before the LORD.
- 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.
- 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,
- 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.
- 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.
- 3:17 It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author, with the laws presented as the LORD's instructions given through him. Aaron and his sons are key recipients of priestly instructions, not alternate named authors. Biblical references: Leviticus 1:1; Leviticus 27:34. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Leviticus 1:1–5:19): The LORD gives Moses instructions for Israelite worshippers bringing offerings. The priests receive and carry out the prescribed sanctuary duties. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel under the Sinai covenant. Some instructions address the whole congregation; others specifically address Aaron and the priests. Biblical references: Leviticus 1:2; Leviticus 6:9; Leviticus 19:2. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Laws for Peace Offerings. Read Leviticus 3:1 through Leviticus 3:17 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The offerings and priestly responsibilities establish the sacrificial framework assumed by the following accounts and laws. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The laws and priestly narratives are set in Israel's Sinai sanctuary setting. A modern date of composition is not given by a publication statement in the text. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The tabernacle and Israel's camp form the main setting. Instructions about priests, offerings, houses, and the land have different immediate objects. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Laws for Peace Offerings (Leviticus 3:1 to Leviticus 3:17). Start reading at Leviticus 3:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Hebrews explicitly relates the sacrificial and priestly order to Christ's priesthood and offering. Read the comparison in Hebrews rather than assigning an unsupported meaning to each ritual detail. See Hebrews 9:11, Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:10. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Take worship, holiness, and the treatment of others seriously. Distinguish ritual uncleanness, moral wrongdoing, and the specific duties of priests; they are not interchangeable categories. interpretation
Cited: Leviticus 3:1, Leviticus 3:17, Hebrews 9:11, Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:10
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book presents its laws as the LORD speaking to Moses, from beginning to end.
Leviticus 1:1Leviticus 27:34
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedCritical scholars commonly assign this material to a later priestly collection.
Related passages
- lay Lev 1:4-5 Lev 8:22 Lev 16:21-22 Exod 29:10 Isa 53:6 2 Cor 5:21 1 John 1:9-10
- kill it Lev 1:11 Zech 12:10 Acts 2:36-38 Acts 3:15,26 Acts 4:10-12,26-28
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Leviticus 3
Leviticus presents the LORD's instructions to Moses for Israel, including priestly duties. A command's immediate audience, sanctuary setting, and covenant purpose should remain visible. The opening identifies Moses as the recipient of speech, not by itself as the narrator of every line. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Leviticus 1:1 Leviticus 1:2 Leviticus 27:34
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Leviticus
Leviticus presents the LORD's instructions to Moses for Israel, including priestly duties. A command's immediate audience, sanctuary setting, and covenant purpose should remain visible. The opening identifies Moses as the recipient of speech, not by itself as the narrator of every line.
Leviticus 1:1 Leviticus 1:2 Leviticus 27:34
FocusApproaching God in worship
Connection to the wholeThe offerings and priestly responsibilities establish the sacrificial framework assumed by the following accounts and laws.
interpretation The priests begin their service
Leviticus 8:1–10:20FocusConsecration and holy responsibility
Connection to the wholeThe consecration and beginning of priestly service lead to an account of judgment, emphasizing the seriousness of distinguishing holy from common.
interpretation Clean and unclean
Leviticus 11:1–15:33FocusBodies, food, and the camp
Connection to the wholeThese distinctions order Israel's life around the sanctuary; ritual uncleanness should not automatically be equated with a personal moral offense.
interpretation The day of atonement
Leviticus 16:1–34FocusCleansing the sanctuary and the people
Connection to the wholeThe chapter brings priestly access, blood, and cleansing together in a recurring observance within the covenant's sacrificial order.
interpretation Holiness in daily and priestly life
Leviticus 17:1–22:33FocusWorship, relationships, and conduct
Connection to the wholeInstructions concerning blood, relationships, justice, and priests extend the call to holiness through the life of the people.
interpretation Sacred times and the land
Leviticus 23:1–25:55FocusSabbaths, feasts, and release
Connection to the wholeThe appointed times and land arrangements connect worship, rest, provision, and the treatment of fellow Israelites.
interpretation Covenant outcomes and dedicated things
Leviticus 26:1–27:34FocusResponsibility and consecration
Connection to the wholeBlessings and warnings state covenant consequences, followed by regulations concerning vows and things dedicated to the LORD.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.