Leviticus 3:3-5
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.
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