This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;

LEVITICUS 7:37KJV
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Leviticus 7:37 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 7:37 mean?

Leviticus 7:37 lists the main types of sacrifices and offerings that God instructed the Israelites to bring, summarizing the laws given for each one. This verse serves as a summary statement, reminding the reader that these instructions cover the burnt offering, grain (meat) offering, sin offering, guilt (trespass) offering, ordination (consecration) offering, and peace offering.

In the context of Leviticus, Moses is relaying God’s laws to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, specifically to the priests and the people about how to approach God through sacrifices. This verse comes at the end of a section detailing the procedures for each offering, acting as a recap to highlight the different purposes and regulations for each type.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 7:37

  • תּוֹרָה (torah) — "law" or "instruction." This word emphasizes that these are not just rituals but divinely given guidelines meant to teach and guide the people.
  • עֹלָה (olah) — "burnt offering." This offering was completely burned on the altar, symbolizing total dedication to God.
  • מִנְחָה (minchah) — "grain offering." This was a gift of flour or baked goods, often given alongside other sacrifices, representing thankfulness and devotion.
  • חַטָּאת (chatat) — "sin offering." This offering was for unintentional sins, highlighting the need for atonement and forgiveness.
  • אָשָׁם (asham) — "guilt (trespass) offering." This was for specific acts of wrongdoing, especially those involving restitution.
  • מִלּוּאִים (milluim) — "consecrations." This refers to offerings made during the ordination of priests, marking their dedication to service.
  • זֶבַח (zevach) — "sacrifice," here referring to the peace offering, which was shared between God, the priests, and the offerer.
  • שֶׁלָמִים (shelamim) — "peace offerings." These offerings expressed fellowship, thanksgiving, or fulfillment of a vow.

Why Leviticus 7:37 matters

  • Leviticus 7:37 clarifies that each type of offering had its own purpose and set of instructions, preventing confusion about how and why each was to be performed.
  • This summary verse helps the reader see the structure and order in Israel’s worship, showing that approaching God involved different needs—atonement, thanksgiving, dedication, and fellowship.
  • By listing all the offerings together, Leviticus 7:37 connects the detailed laws back to the bigger picture of Israel’s relationship with God, reminding the people that every aspect of their worship was intentional and meaningful.

Where else these words appear

“consecrations” Hebrew H4394 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
  • Exodus 29:31 And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.
  • Leviticus 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

“offering” Hebrew H817 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 26:10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
  • Leviticus 14:12 And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:
  • Numbers 18:9 This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

“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.