And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.

LEVITICUS 7:32KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 7:32 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:32 mean?

Leviticus 7:32 instructs the Israelites to give the right shoulder of their peace offerings to the priest as a special portion, called a heave offering. This verse sets apart a specific part of the animal sacrifice for the priest, recognizing his role in the sacrificial process.

In this section, God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the people of Israel about how to handle sacrifices, specifically the peace offerings. The right shoulder is singled out as the portion to be given to the priest, which highlights both the priest’s service and the shared nature of the offering. This command is part of a larger set of rules about which parts of the animal were to be eaten, shared, or given to God and the priests.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:32

  • The word for "right" is יָמִין (yamin), which refers to the right side, often considered the stronger or more honored side in ancient cultures. Giving the right shoulder emphasizes giving a choice or significant portion.
  • The word for "shoulder" is שׁוֹק (shoq), meaning the upper part of the animal’s leg, a valuable cut of meat. This shows the priest was not given leftovers, but a desirable part.
  • The word for "heave offering" is תְּרוּמָה (terumah), which means something lifted up or set apart for a special purpose. This signals that the offering is not just a gift, but a portion dedicated to God and given to the priest as His representative.

Why Leviticus 7:32 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the priests did not live off the land like the other tribes, but were supported by the offerings of the people, showing a system of provision for religious leaders.
  • The instruction connects to the broader theme of sharing sacred meals and responsibilities among God, the priests, and the people, highlighting the communal aspect of worship.
  • By specifying the right shoulder, the verse shows attention to detail in worship and respect for the roles within Israel’s community, which helps explain later references to priestly portions in the Old Testament.

Where else these words appear

“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 9:21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.
  • 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.

“offering” Hebrew H8641 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
  • Numbers 15:20 Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

“offerings” 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.

“right” Hebrew H3225 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • 1 Kings 7:39 And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.
  • Psalms 109:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.