And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof; the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards,

LEVITICUS 7:3KJV
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Leviticus 7:3 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:3 mean?

Leviticus 7:3 instructs that all the fat from the offering, specifically the fat tail and the fat covering the internal organs, must be presented as part of the sacrifice. This verse is part of the detailed rules for how certain animal offerings were to be handled in ancient Israel.

In this passage, God is giving Moses specific instructions for the priests about the "guilt offering" or "trespass offering." The focus here is on which parts of the animal are to be offered to God on the altar. The fat, especially from the rump and the organs, was considered the best or richest part and was reserved for God, not for the people to eat.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:3

  • חֵלֶב (ḥēlev, "fat"): This word refers to the best or choicest fat of the animal, not just any fat. In Israelite sacrificial practice, this fat was always reserved for God, highlighting its special status.
  • אַלְיָה (’alyāh, "rump"): This term points to the fat tail, especially notable in certain breeds of sheep in the region. This part was considered particularly valuable.
  • כְּסָה (kāsāh, "covereth"): This verb means "to cover," referring here to the fat that covers the internal organs. It clarifies that not just any fat, but specifically the protective fat around the organs, was to be offered.
  • קֶרֶב (qerev, "inwards"): This word means "inner parts" or "internal organs," showing that the fat surrounding these organs was included in what was to be offered.

Why Leviticus 7:3 matters

  • Leviticus 7:3 clarifies that not all parts of the animal were treated the same; certain portions, especially the fat, were set apart for God, which shows the seriousness and order of sacrificial worship.
  • The verse helps explain later prohibitions against eating fat, since these portions were considered holy and reserved for God alone.
  • Understanding which parts were offered helps make sense of the broader sacrificial system in Leviticus, where different offerings had specific instructions, each with its own meaning and purpose.