For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.

LEVITICUS 7:34KJV
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Leviticus 7:34 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:34 mean?

Leviticus 7:34 explains that God took specific parts of the peace offerings—the "wave breast" and the "heave shoulder"—from the Israelites’ sacrifices and gave them to Aaron the priest and his sons as a permanent rule. This verse sets out which parts of certain offerings belong to the priests as their portion, by God’s command.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the Israelites about the peace offerings. The "wave breast" and "heave shoulder" refer to particular cuts of meat from the animal sacrifice that were to be given to the priests. This arrangement provided for the priests and their families, showing how the offerings supported those serving in the tabernacle.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:34

  • "wave" (תְּנוּפָה, tenuphah): This word means a lifting or waving motion, symbolizing the offering being presented before God. The "wave breast" was ceremonially moved before the altar as part of the ritual.
  • "heave" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This word means a contribution or an offering that is lifted up. The "heave shoulder" was raised up as a special portion for the priests.
  • "statute" (חֹק, choq): This word means an established rule or ordinance. Calling this a "statute for ever" emphasizes that this priestly portion was to be a lasting practice among the Israelites.

Why Leviticus 7:34 matters

  • This verse clarifies that certain parts of the offerings were not burned or eaten by the offerer, but were reserved for the priests, ensuring their livelihood.
  • It highlights the structured way God provided for those serving in the tabernacle, connecting worship with practical community support.
  • The verse ties into the larger context of Leviticus, where detailed instructions show the order and care in Israel’s worship and community life.

Where else these words appear

“breast” Hebrew H2373 · used in 12 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.
  • Leviticus 7:31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.
  • 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.

“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.

“wave” Hebrew H8573 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
  • Leviticus 9:21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.
  • Numbers 6:20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

“heave” 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.