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.

LEVITICUS 3:6KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 3:6 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 3:6 mean?

Leviticus 3:6 explains that if someone brings a peace offering to the LORD from their flock, whether the animal is male or female, it must be without any defect. This instruction sets a clear standard for what kind of animal is acceptable for this type of sacrifice.

In this verse, God is giving Moses specific rules to pass on to the Israelites about sacrifices. The peace offering, a type of sacrifice meant for fellowship or thanksgiving, could come from sheep or goats (the flock), and both males and females were allowed, as long as the animal was perfect and healthy. This reflects the importance of offering something valuable and unblemished to God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 3:6

  • "offering" (קָרְבָּן, qorban): This word means something brought near or presented, emphasizing that the sacrifice is a gift brought close to God.
  • "sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach): This term refers specifically to an animal sacrifice, highlighting that this is not just any gift, but one involving the life of an animal.
  • "offering" (שֶׁלֶם, shelem): This word is often translated as "peace offering" and is related to the idea of wholeness or well-being, showing that the sacrifice is about restoring or celebrating peace with God.
  • "flock" (צֹאן, tson): This refers to sheep or goats, making clear which animals are acceptable for this particular offering.
  • "male" (זָכָר, zakhar) and "female" (נְקֵבָה, neqevah): Both genders are allowed, which is notable because some other sacrifices required only males.
  • "blemish" (תָּמִים, tamim): This word means "without defect" or "perfect," stressing that only the best animals were suitable for offering.

Why Leviticus 3:6 matters

  • Leviticus 3:6 clarifies that both male and female animals could be offered as a peace offering, which is different from some other sacrifices that required only males.
  • The requirement for the animal to be "without blemish" shows the importance of giving God the best, not something flawed or unwanted.
  • This verse helps set the pattern for the rest of Leviticus, where the details of sacrifices teach about approaching God with respect, care, and sincerity.

Where else these words appear

“female” Hebrew H5347 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  • Leviticus 4:28 Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.
  • Leviticus 27:5 And if it be from five years old even unto twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

“offering” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:29 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the LORD shall bring his oblation unto the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.
  • Numbers 7:41 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

“male” Hebrew H2145 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  • Leviticus 12:7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
  • Deuteronomy 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

“offering” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 10:14 And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.