Topical Bible: Offerings: Peace: Laws Concerning

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In the Old Testament, peace offerings, also known as fellowship offerings, are a significant aspect of the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites. These offerings are detailed primarily in the book of Leviticus and are part of the broader Levitical laws concerning sacrifices. Peace offerings are unique in that they symbolize reconciliation and fellowship between the offerer, the priest, and God. They are voluntary offerings, expressing gratitude, fulfillment of a vow, or simply a freewill offering to the Lord.

Scriptural Basis

The primary scriptural references for peace offerings are found in Leviticus 3 and Leviticus 7. Leviticus 3 provides the general instructions for peace offerings, while Leviticus 7 offers additional regulations and clarifications.

Types of Peace Offerings

1. Thanksgiving Offering: This type of peace offering is given in gratitude for God's blessings and mercies. It is a spontaneous expression of thanks to God.

2. Vow Offering: This offering is made in fulfillment of a vow. It is a demonstration of faithfulness and commitment to God, acknowledging His provision and faithfulness.

3. Freewill Offering: This is a voluntary act of worship, given out of a heart of generosity and devotion to God, without any specific obligation or vow.

Regulations and Procedures

· Animal Selection: The peace offering could be a male or female animal from the herd or flock, without blemish. The offerer had the option to present a bull, a lamb, or a goat (Leviticus 3:1, 6, 12).

· Laying on of Hands: The offerer was required to lay hands on the head of the offering, symbolizing the transfer of identity and intent (Leviticus 3:2).

· Slaughter and Blood Ritual: The animal was slaughtered at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and the priests would sprinkle its blood on the altar (Leviticus 3:2).

· Burning of Fat: The fat covering the entrails, the kidneys, and the long lobe of the liver were to be burned on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord (Leviticus 3:3-5).

· Consumption of the Offering: Unlike other offerings, the peace offering was shared. Portions were given to the priests, and the remaining meat was consumed by the offerer and their family in a communal meal, symbolizing fellowship with God and one another (Leviticus 7:15-18).

Priestly Portions

The priests received specific portions of the peace offerings as their due. The breast and the right thigh were given to the priests as a wave offering and a contribution, respectively (Leviticus 7:31-34).

Timeframe for Consumption

The meat of the thanksgiving peace offering was to be eaten on the same day it was offered, while the meat of vow or freewill offerings could be consumed over two days. Any leftovers on the third day were to be burned (Leviticus 7:15-17).

Significance

Peace offerings hold deep theological significance, representing the peace and reconciliation between God and humanity. They emphasize the communal aspect of worship, where the offerer, the priest, and God share in the sacrificial meal. This offering foreshadows the ultimate peace and reconciliation brought through Jesus Christ, who is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).

Conclusion

The laws concerning peace offerings highlight the importance of gratitude, fulfillment of vows, and voluntary worship in the life of the believer. They serve as a reminder of the peace and fellowship that God desires with His people, ultimately fulfilled in the New Covenant through Christ.

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Exodus 29:19-22,31
And you shall take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram.
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Leviticus 7:11-15,18
And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer to the LORD.
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Leviticus 9:3,4,15-21
And to the children of Israel you shall speak, saying, Take you a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
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Leviticus 23:19
Then you shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
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Numbers 6:14
And he shall offer his offering to the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings,
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Numbers 10:10
Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.
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Library

Leviticus
... the meal and peace offerings, x.12-15. An error forgiven after an adroit explanation
by Aaron (law in narrative form), x.16-20. III. LAWS CONCERNING THE CLEAN ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

Leviticus.
... 2. Meal offering, Ch.2. 3. Peace offering, Ch.3. ... For Study and Discussion. (1) Make
a list of the several offerings and become familiar with what ... (2) The laws. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii leviticus.htm

How Amon Reigned Instead of Manasseh; and after Amon Reigned ...
... thirty thousand, and three thousand oxen for burnt-offerings. ... things were performed
according to the laws, and according ... had after this lived in peace, nay, in ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how amon reigned.htm

Concerning Balaam the Prophet and what Kind of Man He Was.
... sacrifices, and offered them as burnt-offerings, that he ... pretending to punish, according
to his laws, every one's ... done, the people held their peace, both out ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning balaam the.htm

the life of constantine
... Chapter XXI.--His Laws concerning Martyrs, and concerning Ecclesiastical ... wrote to
the Egyptians, exhorting them to Peace. ... XL.--Of the Number of his Offerings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/the life of constantine/

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... brought also other sacrifices, called peace-offerings, for every ... as tempted in times
of peace by luxury ... resolved to compose another work concerning our laws. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

Concerning the Wife of Solomon; Concerning his Wisdom and Riches ...
... justice, or in the observation of the laws, or in ... Accordingly he offered there
burnt-offerings, in number a ... their grounds; for as they enjoyed peace, and were ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning the wife.htm

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices ... rites and ceremonies, the
other to discipline and peace. ... for their impious and tyrannical laws, and, on ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm

'The Love of Thine Espousals'
... His first step was to prepare a written copy of the laws to which ... to the great words
of Exodus 19:6. Burnt-offerings and peace-offerings differed mainly in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the love of thine espousals.htm

Traditionalism, Its Origin, Character, and Literature - the ...
... upon earth, is righteousness, and peace, and joy in ... of the various classes of sacrifices,
offerings, and things ... It also includes the laws concerning the daily ...
/.../chapter viii traditionalism its origin.htm