The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.

LEVITICUS 10:15KJV
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Leviticus 10:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 10:15 mean?

Leviticus 10:15 explains that the priests are to receive the heave shoulder and the wave breast from the animal sacrifices, after these parts have been presented to God as special offerings. These portions are given to Aaron and his sons as a permanent rule, just as God commanded.

In this verse, God is speaking to Aaron and his sons, the priests, about their share of the offerings brought by the Israelites. The "heave shoulder" and "wave breast" refer to specific parts of the animal that are lifted or waved before God in a ritual act, then given to the priests as their rightful portion. This instruction is part of a larger set of rules about how offerings are to be handled and how the priests are provided for in their service.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 10:15

  • "Heave" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah) and "shoulder" (שׁוֹק, shoq): "Heave" means to lift up or present, and "shoulder" is the part of the animal given. This act sets apart the portion for God and then for the priests.
  • "Wave" (תְּנוּפָה, tenufah) and "breast" (חָזֶה, chazeh): "Wave" means to move back and forth before God, and "breast" is the specific part offered. The waving is a symbolic gesture of dedication.
  • "Statute" (חֻקָּה, chuqqah) and "ever" (עוֹלָם, olam): These words show that this rule is meant to last for all generations, not just for Aaron’s time.

Why Leviticus 10:15 matters

  • Leviticus 10:15 clarifies that the priests’ share of the offerings is not arbitrary but is a permanent and divinely commanded arrangement.
  • This verse highlights the careful way God provided for the priests, ensuring their needs were met through the community’s offerings.
  • Understanding this rule helps make sense of the wider system of sacrifices and priestly duties described throughout Leviticus, showing how ritual and practical needs were woven together.

Where else these words appear

“breast” Hebrew H2373 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 29:26 And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.
  • Leviticus 7:31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.
  • Leviticus 9:21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.

“shoulder” Hebrew H7785 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:
  • Leviticus 8:26 And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
  • Judges 15:8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

“wave” Hebrew H8573 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
  • Leviticus 8:29 And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Numbers 6:20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

“wave” Hebrew H5130 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
  • Leviticus 23:11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
  • Joshua 8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.