What is the meaning of Leviticus 7:3? And all the fat from it shall be offered • This opening clause stresses totality—every bit of designated fat belongs on the altar, not on the plate. In Israel’s sacrificial system, fat symbolized the very best portion (Genesis 4:4; Numbers 18:17). By commanding its complete surrender, God taught His people that He alone deserves the choicest part of every offering (Proverbs 3:9; Romans 12:1). • The instruction follows God’s earlier directives that certain sacrifices were “a pleasing aroma to the LORD” (Leviticus 3:16). Offering all the fat underscored wholehearted devotion, prefiguring the perfect self-offering of Christ (Hebrews 10:10). the fat tail • Sheep of that region often carried large, nutrient-rich tails. Setting the tail apart for the altar (Leviticus 3:9) reminded worshipers that nothing rich or valuable was to be withheld. • This part of the animal was prized for flavor and energy. Giving it up pointed Israel to the principle that God is worthy of our best—even what we might prefer to keep (2 Samuel 24:24). the fat that covers the entrails • The internal fat surrounded vital organs, hidden from human eyes yet precious to God. By burning it, Israelites learned that devotion is not merely external; God sees and claims what is inward and concealed (1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 51:6). • Removing this inner fat before the animal was eaten or disposed of guarded Israel from blood-and-fat consumption, later repeated in Leviticus 7:23-25 and Acts 15:29. The Lord used dietary limits to set His people apart and to illustrate holiness in every detail of life (1 Peter 1:15-16). summary Leviticus 7:3 calls God’s people to place the very best, most prized, and even hidden parts of life on His altar. The fat—external, prominent, and internal alike—was entirely His, teaching Israel (and us) that wholehearted surrender honors the Lord who offered Himself wholly for us. |
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