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Chapter 3

Communion Sacrifices. [a](A)If a person’s offering is a communion sacrifice, if it is brought from the herd, be it a male or a female animal, it must be presented without blemish(B) before the Lord. The one offering it shall lay a hand on the head(C) of the offering. It shall then be slaughtered at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall splash its blood on all the sides of the altar. (D)From the communion sacrifice the individual shall offer as an oblation to the Lord the fat[b] that covers the inner organs, and all the fat that adheres to them, as well as the two kidneys, with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is removed with the kidneys. Aaron’s sons shall burn this on the altar with the burnt offering that is on the wood and the embers, as a sweet-smelling oblation to the Lord.(E)

If the communion sacrifice one offers to the Lord is from the flock, be it a male or a female animal, it must be presented without blemish. If one presents a lamb as an offering, that person shall bring it before the Lord, and after laying a hand on the head of the offering, it shall then be slaughtered before the tent of meeting. Aaron’s sons shall splash its blood on all the sides of the altar. From the communion sacrifice the individual shall present as an oblation to the Lord its fat: the whole fatty tail, which is removed close to the spine, the fat that covers the inner organs, and all the fat that adheres to them, 10 as well as the two kidneys, with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is removed with the kidneys. 11 The priest shall burn this on the altar as food,(F) an oblation to the Lord.

12 If a person’s offering is a goat, the individual shall bring it before the Lord, 13 and after laying a hand on its head, it shall then be slaughtered before the tent of meeting. Aaron’s sons shall splash its blood on all the sides of the altar. 14 From this the one sacrificing shall present an offering as an oblation to the Lord: the fat that covers the inner organs, and all the fat that adheres to them, 15 as well as the two kidneys, with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is removed with the kidneys. 16 The priest shall burn these on the altar as food, a sweet-smelling oblation.

All the fat belongs to the Lord. 17 This shall be a perpetual ordinance for your descendants wherever they may dwell. You shall not eat any fat or any blood.[c](G)

Footnotes

  1. 3:1 The exact meaning of Hebrew shelamim, “communion sacrifice,” is not clear. It has also been rendered “gift,” “(re)payment,” “peace,” “well-being,” or “covenant” offering. This offering may be brought for a vow or voluntary offering (cf. 22:21). A distinct version of the communion sacrifice is the thanksgiving offering (7:11–15 vis-à-vis vv. 16–18).
  2. 3:3–5 Fat: only part of the offering is devoted to God, as opposed to the burnt offering (chap. 1), which is wholly burnt (except for the skin). The meat is distributed among the offerer (and the offerer’s party) and the priests (cf. 7:11–36).
  3. 3:17 Any fat or any blood: this prohibition is mentioned here because portions of this offering could be eaten by lay Israelites, who may not be entirely familiar with the prohibition (cf. 7:22–27; 19:26). The fat prohibited is only the visceral fat mentioned in 3:9–10, 14–15, not muscular fat.

The Fellowship Offering

“‘If your offering is a fellowship offering,(A) and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect.(B) You are to lay your hand on the head(C) of your offering and slaughter it(D) at the entrance to the tent of meeting.(E) Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash(F) the blood against the sides(G) of the altar.(H) From the fellowship offering you are to bring a food offering to the Lord: the internal organs(I) and all the fat(J) that is connected to them, both kidneys(K) with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which you will remove with the kidneys. Then Aaron’s sons(L) are to burn it on the altar(M) on top of the burnt offering(N) that is lying on the burning wood;(O) it is a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.(P)

“‘If you offer an animal from the flock as a fellowship offering(Q) to the Lord, you are to offer a male or female without defect. If you offer a lamb,(R) you are to present it before the Lord,(S) lay your hand on its head and slaughter it(T) in front of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall splash its blood against the sides of the altar. From the fellowship offering you are to bring a food offering(U) to the Lord: its fat, the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the internal organs and all the fat that is connected to them, 10 both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which you will remove with the kidneys. 11 The priest shall burn them on the altar(V) as a food offering(W) presented to the Lord.(X)

12 “‘If your offering is a goat,(Y) you are to present it before the Lord, 13 lay your hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons shall splash(Z) its blood against the sides of the altar.(AA) 14 From what you offer you are to present this food offering to the Lord: the internal organs and all the fat that is connected to them, 15 both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which you will remove with the kidneys.(AB) 16 The priest shall burn them on the altar(AC) as a food offering,(AD) a pleasing aroma.(AE) All the fat(AF) is the Lord’s.(AG)

17 “‘This is a lasting ordinance(AH) for the generations to come,(AI) wherever you live:(AJ) You must not eat any fat or any blood.(AK)’”