Lev 3:3-17 | TNotes

3:4 ^a kidneys ... lobe of the liver: The Israelites saw the kidneys as organs of understanding, much like how we think of the brain (“I am overwhelmed [literally my kidneys are consumed],” Job 19:27 ^b; “heart,” Pss 7:9 ^c; 16:7 ^d; Jer 12:2 ^e; Lam 3:13 ^f; “motives,” Ps 26:2 ^g; Jer 17:10 ^h; “thoughts,” Jer 11:20 ⁱ; 20:12 ^j). The liver represented life and vitality, similar to how we think of the heart (Prov 7:23 ^k; “spirit,” Lam 2:11 ^l).
3:5 ^m The burnt offering is described in 1:3-17 ⁿ and is best referred to as the “whole burnt offering.” Because it was offered twice daily (see Num 28:4 ^o), and because the need for atonement preceded fellowship, the text assumes that the burnt offering would be on the altar already. The priest was to lay the fatty portions and certain internal organs (3:3-4 ^p) of the peace offering on top of it.
Summary for Lev 3:6-11: 3:6-11 ^q Sheep were smaller, easier to raise, and less expensive than cattle. Apart from the exceptions mentioned in these verses, offerings of sheep followed the same pattern as those of cattle.
3:9 ^r broad tail: Sheep in this part of the ancient Near East had broad, fatty tails that were burned on the altar with the rest of the fat.
3:11 ^s special gift: See study note on 1:9.

• Offerings of food were called “God’s food” (21:6 ^t, 8 ^u, 17 ^v, 21 ^w, 22 ^x; Num 28:2 ^y). However, Scripture is clear that the Lord did not eat the offerings, as pagans believed their deities did (Ps 50:9-13 ^z). Instead, these offerings belonged to God, and the priest ate a portion of this food as God’s representative (Lev 21:21-22 ^aa). These offerings sustained the priest and his family.
Summary for Lev 3:12-16: 3:12-16 ^ab The offering of goats followed a similar pattern as for cattle and sheep. Both goats and sheep were considered offerings from the flock (see 3:6 ^ac).
3:17 ^ad Human beings were not permitted to eat the fat or blood (see 1:5 ^ae, 8 ^af and study notes).