But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.

LEVITICUS 7:17KJV
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Leviticus 7:17 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:17 mean?

Leviticus 7:17 says that if any meat from a sacrifice remains uneaten until the third day, it must be completely burned up with fire. This rule is part of the instructions for handling sacrificial offerings, making sure nothing is left beyond a set time.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses detailed laws for the Israelites about how to offer sacrifices, specifically peace offerings. The instruction about burning leftover meat on the third day stresses the importance of following God’s guidelines exactly and keeping the sacrifices pure, rather than letting them become spoiled or misused.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:17

  • "remainder" (יָתַר, yathar): This word refers to what is left over from the sacrifice. The law is concerned with even the leftovers, showing thoroughness in the ritual.
  • "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar): This is the meat of the animal that was offered. The focus on the flesh highlights the physical, perishable part of the sacrifice.
  • "burnt" (שָׂרַף, saraph): This means to completely consume with fire. The burning is not just disposal, but a way to treat the leftover meat as something set apart, not for ordinary use.
  • "fire" (אֵשׁ, esh): Fire is used here as a purifying and consuming force, making sure the remains are not eaten or used for any other purpose.

Why Leviticus 7:17 matters

  • Leviticus 7:17 clarifies that sacrificial meat was not to be treated casually or kept indefinitely, which helped prevent ritual impurity and possible health risks from spoiled meat.
  • This verse emphasizes the seriousness of following God’s instructions in detail, not just in the main act of sacrifice but in how every part of the offering is handled.
  • The rule connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of holiness and separation, showing that even leftovers from a holy act must be treated with respect and care.

Where else these words appear

“third” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • 1 Samuel 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

“remainder” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 21:5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:

“burnt” Hebrew H8313 · used in 107 verses

  • Genesis 11:3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
  • Joshua 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.