He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part.

LEVITICUS 7:33KJV
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Leviticus 7:33 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:33 mean?

Leviticus 7:33 states that the son of Aaron who actually offers the blood and fat of the peace offerings is to receive the right shoulder of the animal as his portion. This verse sets out a specific rule about which priest gets a particular part of the sacrifice.

In this context, God is giving Moses instructions for the priests, the sons (בֵּן, ben) of Aaron (אַהֲרֹן, Aharon), about their share in the peace offerings (שֶׁלֶם, shelem). The priest who performs the ritual of offering the blood (דָּם, dam) and fat (חֵלֶב, chelev) is singled out to receive the right (יָמִין, yamin) shoulder (שׁוֹק, shoq) as his portion (מָנָה, manah), emphasizing both order and fairness in distributing the offerings among the priests.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:33

  • בֵּן (ben) — "son": This word makes clear that the instruction is for the male descendants of Aaron, who served as priests.
  • קָרַב (qarav) — "offereth": This verb means to bring near or present, highlighting that the priest who physically performs the offering gets the right shoulder.
  • דָּם (dam) — "blood": The act of offering the blood was central to the ritual, marking which priest had the main role.
  • חֵלֶב (chelev) — "fat": The fat was considered the best part and was always offered to God, so the priest’s role in handling it was important.
  • יָמִין (yamin) — "right": The right side was often seen as the more honorable or favored side, so the right shoulder was a special portion.
  • שׁוֹק (shoq) — "shoulder": This refers to a specific cut of meat, showing that the priests’ portions were clearly defined.

Why Leviticus 7:33 matters

  • Leviticus 7:33 clarifies that not all priests received the same portions from every offering; the one who performed the ritual received a specific reward, which helped maintain order and fairness.
  • This verse connects to the broader instructions in Leviticus about how offerings were to be divided, showing that God gave detailed guidance for the priests’ livelihood.
  • Understanding this rule helps explain the practical workings of the priesthood and the importance of ritual roles in ancient Israel’s worship system.

Where else these words appear

“part” Hebrew H4490 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 29:26 And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.
  • 1 Samuel 9:23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
  • Esther 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

“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.

“fat” Hebrew H2459 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • Leviticus 7:23 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat.
  • 1 Samuel 2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.

“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.