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,
LEVITICUS 3:9KJVWhat does Leviticus 3:9 mean?
Leviticus 3:9 describes how, during a peace offering, the person making the sacrifice must present certain parts of the animal—specifically, the fat, the entire fatty tail (rump), and the fat covering the internal organs—as an offering burned on the altar for the LORD. These specific parts are to be carefully removed near the backbone and given to God as part of the ritual.
In this verse, God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the Israelites about how to prepare a peace offering, which was a type of sacrifice meant to express fellowship or gratitude. The focus on the fat and the "whole rump" reflects the value placed on these rich, choice parts of the animal in ancient Israelite culture, and the act of burning them was seen as giving the best portions to God.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 3:9
- fat (חֵלֶב, chelev): This word refers to the animal's fat, which was considered the richest and most desirable part. In the sacrificial system, the fat was reserved for God, not for human consumption, highlighting its special status.
- whole (תָּמִים, tamim): Here, "whole" describes the rump, meaning the entire fatty tail is to be offered, not just a portion. This emphasizes the completeness of the gift.
- rump (אַלְיָה, alyah): This term points to the fatty tail of certain sheep breeds common in the region, which was especially prized. Its mention shows attention to local animal types and their significance.
- backbone (עֶצֶה, etzeh): The instruction to remove the rump "hard by the backbone" means the tail is to be cut off close to where it joins the spine, ensuring the full portion is offered.
Why Leviticus 3:9 matters
- Leviticus 3:9 clarifies that not all parts of the animal were treated the same; the best and richest portions were set aside for God, showing reverence and respect.
- The verse helps explain the practical steps of sacrifice, connecting spiritual meaning with concrete actions and details.
- Understanding which parts were offered and how ties this verse to the broader themes of holiness and dedication found throughout Leviticus, where giving the best to God is a recurring idea.