ScriptureDepth's study of Leviticus 3
“The priest shall burn them on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma; all the fat is Yahweh’s.”
Leviticus 3:16
Yahweh instructs Moses on the proper handling of offerings, specifying that the priest shall burn the fat as 'the food of the offering made by fire' for Him.
What Leviticus 3 is about
The peace offerings are to be made as sacrifices at the Tent of Meeting (vv. 1-2). The offerings must be without defect. The offerer lays a hand on the head of the offering before it is killed, and the priests sprinkle the blood on the altar. Specific fat portions are to be offered to Yahweh, including the fat covering the innards and the kidneys (vv. 3-5). If a flock offering is made, it must also be without defect and the lamb is killed in the same manner (vv. 6-8). The fat portions from lamb offerings include the entire tail fat and the fat covering the innards (vv. 9-11). Goat offerings follow similar regulations, requiring the blood to be sprinkled around the altar (vv. 12-13). The fatty portions for the goat also include the fat covering the innards (vv. 14-16). Yahweh commands that the people shall eat neither fat nor blood (v. 17).
The instruction requires a perpetual statute that prohibits the consumption of fat and blood.
Leviticus 3 at a glance
- Leviticus 3:1–2Introduction to Peace Offerings
- Leviticus 3:3–5Fat Portions for the Lord
- Leviticus 3:6–8Flock Offerings Explained
- Leviticus 3:9–11Instructions for Lamb Offerings
- Leviticus 3:12–13Goat Offerings Introduced
- Leviticus 3:14–16Fat and Atonement
- Leviticus 3:17Statute on Fat and Blood
Key verse: Leviticus 3:16
One thing to notice
Verses 4, 10, and 15 mention the specific parts of the animal that are to be removed and burned, including 'the fat that covers the innards.' These verses focus on these portions in the context of the offerings.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Leviticus 3 (WEB)
Introduction to Peace Offerings Leviticus 3:1–2
1Verse 1. “‘If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings; if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without defect before Yahweh. 2Verse 2. He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the Tent of Meeting: and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood around on the altar.
Fat Portions for the Lord Leviticus 3:3–5
3Verse 3. He shall offer of the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh; the fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards, 4Verse 4. and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away. 5Verse 5. Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
Flock Offerings Explained Leviticus 3:6–8
6Verse 6. “‘If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh is from the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without defect. 7Verse 7. If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall offer it before Yahweh; 8Verse 8. and he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it before the Tent of Meeting: and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
Instructions for Lamb Offerings Leviticus 3:9–11
9Verse 9. He shall offer from the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh; its fat, the entire tail fat, he shall take away close to the backbone; and the fat that covers the inwards, and all the fat that is on the inwards, 10Verse 10. and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away. 11Verse 11. The priest shall burn it on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Goat Offerings Introduced Leviticus 3:12–13
12Verse 12. “‘If his offering is a goat, then he shall offer it before Yahweh: 13Verse 13. and he shall lay his hand on its head, and kill it before the Tent of Meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar.
Fat and Atonement Leviticus 3:14–16
14Verse 14. He shall offer from it as his offering, an offering made by fire to Yahweh; the fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards, 15Verse 15. and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away. 16Verse 16. The priest shall burn them on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma; all the fat is Yahweh’s.
Statute on Fat and Blood Leviticus 3:17
17Verse 17. “‘It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings, that you shall eat neither fat nor blood.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Leviticus 3
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture. Ask unlimited questions and keep study notes on every chapter. 7 days free, no card.
Main themes in Leviticus 3
peace offerings
Peace offerings are introduced in verse 1 as voluntary sacrifices that may come from the herd or the flock. The offerer must present the sacrifice 'without defect' before Yahweh, which indicates the necessity of purity in the offering process. This chapter outlines the specific requirements and procedures for these offerings, emphasizing their role in maintaining a relationship with God.
fellowship with God
The notion of fellowship with God surfaces throughout the chapter, primarily through the act of offering a sacrifice. In v. 5, it states that the priest shall burn specific parts of the offering on the altar as 'an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.' This highlights how these offerings facilitate a connection between the worshiper and Yahweh, supporting communal worship and shared relationship.
sacrifice and atonement
The chapter outlines the process of sacrifice and atonement through detailed instructions on offerings in vv. 6-13. Each type of animal, whether from the herd, flock, or goats, must be presented before the Tent of Meeting, where the blood is sprinkled on the altar. The fat portions are specifically designated for burning as food for Yahweh, emphasizing the serious nature of atonement.
holiness and purity
The call for holiness and purity appears clearly in v. 17, where it is stated that 'you shall eat neither fat nor blood.' This command underlines the sacredness required in the approach to worship and sacrifice. It advocates for a clear boundary around what is acceptable within the worship practices of the Israelites, reinforcing proper conduct in their relationship with God.
Chapter outline
How Leviticus 3 unfolds
Leviticus 3:1–2 Introduction to Peace Offerings
The individual presenting a peace offering must ensure it is 'without defect' and kill it 'at the door of the Tent of Meeting' while Aaron's sons sprinkle the blood around the altar (vv. 1-2).
Leviticus 3:3–5 Fat Portions for the Lord
The fat portions of the peace offering, including the fat covering the innards and the kidneys, are to be burned as an offering made by fire to Yahweh, creating a 'pleasant aroma' (vv. 3-5).
Leviticus 3:6–8 Flock Offerings Explained
If the peace offering comes from the flock, it must also be without defect. The individual lays hands on the animal and kills it before the Tent of Meeting (vv. 6-8).
Leviticus 3:9–11 Instructions for Lamb Offerings
For lamb offerings, the worshiper removes specific fat portions, including the entire tail fat and innards, which are to be burned as food for the offering made by fire to Yahweh (vv. 9-11).
Leviticus 3:12–13 Goat Offerings Introduced
When presenting a goat as a peace offering, the same procedure applies: it must be without defect, and the individual lays hands on its head before killing it (vv. 12-13).
Leviticus 3:14–16 Fat and Atonement
The fat portions of the goat, like the other animals, are specified for burning as an offering made by fire for Yahweh. All fat belongs to Yahweh (vv. 14-16).
Leviticus 3:17 Statute on Fat and Blood
The text states that it 'shall be a perpetual statute' that Israelites 'shall eat neither fat nor blood' in all their dwellings, outlining a lasting dietary restriction (v. 17).
Key verses
Leviticus 3:16Yahweh instructs Moses on the proper handling of offerings, specifying that the priest shall burn the fat as 'the food of the offering made by fire' for Him.
Get a short devotional by email, one passage and one question a day.
One short email each morning, with the free study guide. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We use your address only to send this email.
Study questions
Questions for studying Leviticus 3
- observeIn v1, what type of offering is described as a 'sacrifice of peace offerings'?
- observeWhat must the offerer do in v2 before killing the offering at the 'door of the Tent of Meeting'?
- interpretThe act of laying hands on the offering, v2: what does this signify for the offerer?
- interpretThe phrase 'pleasant aroma' in v5 and v16: what does it indicate about the nature of these offerings?
- applyWhen have you engaged in an act of gratitude or fellowship similar to a 'peace offering'?
For Bible groups
Study Leviticus 3 with your group
A free one-page handout with the overview, key verse, outline and discussion questions, ready to print for everyone at the table.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Leviticus 3
- Leviticus 1Leviticus 3:1 and Leviticus 1:3Both offer a sacrifice from the herd: Leviticus 3:1 states it must be without defect, while Leviticus 1:3 specifies a male without defect.
- Leviticus 7Leviticus 3:17 and Leviticus 7:23Both prohibit eating fat: Leviticus 3:17 highlights it as a perpetual statute, while Leviticus 7:23 commands not eating fat of certain animals.
- Exodus 29Leviticus 3:2 and Exodus 29:10Both lay hands on the head: Leviticus 3:2 describes the peace offering, while Exodus 29:10 involves the bull before the Tent of Meeting.
- Leviticus 4Leviticus 3:5 and Leviticus 4:26Both burn fat on the altar: Leviticus 3:5 is part of the peace offering, while Leviticus 4:26 relates to the sin offering.
- Leviticus 17Leviticus 3:17 and Leviticus 17:10Both warn against eating blood: Leviticus 3:17 states it is a statute, while Leviticus 17:10 declares consequences for eating blood.
- Leviticus 9Leviticus 3:9 and Leviticus 9:19Both mention fat around innards: Leviticus 3:9 details the peace offering fat, while Leviticus 9:19 describes the fat of the bull and ram.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Leviticus 3
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Leviticus: the whole bookLeviticus picks up exactly where Exodus ends: God's glory now fills the tabernacle, and the urgent question is…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 42Day 42 of 365: Leviticus 3–5.
- ForgivenessWhat the Bible says about forgiveness, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Leviticus 3: frequently asked questions
What is Leviticus 3 about?+
What is the key verse in Leviticus 3?+
What are the main themes of Leviticus 3?+
Studying Leviticus with a print Bible beside you? See our study Bible guides.