In the Old Testament, peace offerings, also known as fellowship offerings, were a significant aspect of the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites. These offerings are detailed primarily in the book of Leviticus and were intended to symbolize peace and fellowship between the offerer and God. The role of the priest in preparing and offering these sacrifices was crucial, as they acted as mediators between the people and God.

Biblical Foundation

The peace offering is first introduced in Leviticus 3, where the Lord provides Moses with specific instructions regarding the offering. The peace offering could be made from cattle, sheep, or goats, and it was to be without blemish. The offerer would lay their hand on the head of the offering, symbolizing identification and transfer of sin, before it was slaughtered at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.

Role of the Priest

The priest's role in the peace offering was multifaceted. After the animal was slaughtered, the priest was responsible for sprinkling its blood around the altar. Leviticus 3:2 states, "He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar."

The priest would then prepare the offering by burning specific portions on the altar. The fat covering the entrails, the kidneys, and the long lobe of the liver were to be removed and burned as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the Lord (Leviticus 3:3-5). This act of burning the fat was significant, as it represented the best part of the animal being given to God.

Portions for the Priest

While the fat and certain organs were burned on the altar, other portions of the peace offering were designated for the priests and the offerer. Leviticus 7:31-34 outlines that the breast of the peace offering was to be waved as a wave offering before the Lord and was given to Aaron and his sons. The right thigh was also given to the priest as a contribution from the peace offerings of the Israelites.

Symbolism and Significance

The peace offering was unique in that it was a communal meal shared between the offerer, the priest, and God. This offering symbolized reconciliation and fellowship, emphasizing the peace and harmony restored between the offerer and the divine. The priest, in preparing and partaking in the offering, facilitated this sacred communion, underscoring their role as intermediaries who maintained the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Spiritual Implications

From a spiritual perspective, the peace offering foreshadowed the ultimate reconciliation brought about through Jesus Christ, who is referred to as our peace (Ephesians 2:14). The priestly preparation and offering of the peace sacrifice pointed to the perfect sacrifice of Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, established eternal peace between God and humanity. The priest's meticulous preparation of the peace offering thus served as a precursor to the greater peace achieved through the New Covenant.Ezekiel 46:2
And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... not very laborious to them, because he had prepared for it ... They also offered
peace-offerings, and slew many ten thousand ... and Zadok to be the high priest of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

Separation to God.
... home, they will be the better prepared to do ... tabernacle of the congregation: and
the priest shall offer ... and one ram without blemish for peace-offerings, and a ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

That when David had Conquered the Philistines who Made War against ...
... out to gain what was an already prepared and evident ... Now, because he was not a priest
[7] and ... and he offered costly sacrifices and peace-offerings, and treated ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 that when david.htm

Scriptural Types.
... the red heifer from which were prepared the ashes ... Thus the breast of the peace-offerings
was always waved ... It was accordingly restricted to the priest, who was ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Epistle to the Hebrews
... unified; the distinctions of sin offerings, burnt offerings, peace offerings, and
so ... He came to be a great High Priest, and the body was prepared for Him ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/chapter 4 the epistle to.htm

Princely Service.
... to the beauty of the skilfully prepared vessels of ... offering for a sacrifice of
peace-offerings; two oxen, five ... and in which the sacrificing priest, the offerer ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

With How Great Reverence Christ must be Received
... of its dedication, offered a thousand peace offerings, and solemnly ... of the Covenant
to the place prepared for it ... and were consecrated only by one priest in the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter i with how great.htm

The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the ...
... the priestly offices of Moses and Aaron, the peace-offerings of Samuel ... the heart
of man [4122] ) that thou hast prepared, O God ... Again the Priest says (Invocation ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of james.htm

"Lo, I Come": Exposition
... not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in ... slew the sacrifices, and presented their
peace-offerings; but the ... if they are priests, since no apostle was a priest. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lo i come exposition.htm

Sermons of St. Bernard on the Passing of Malachy
... In fact, the fire is prepared for the devil,[1043 ... in a humble spirit[1166] often
brought peace-offerings to the ... of God,[1167] himself the victim and the priest. ...
/.../sermons of st bernard on.htm

What is a heave offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is a wave offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is a grain offering? | GotQuestions.org

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