Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 3

Trapp's Complete CommentaryTrapp's Commentary

Verse 1

And if his oblation [be] a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer [it] of the herd; whether [it be] a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.

Whether it be a male or female. — In Christ there is neither male nor female, but all one. Galatians 3:28 Souls have no sexes. In thank offerings, the female also might pass: to teach that God looks not so much to the worth of the gift as the honesty of the heart that offers it. Leavened bread also in this case was accepted. Leviticus 7:13

Verse 2

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

Upon the altar round about. — This signified that "plenteous redemption" by "the blood of sprinkling."

Verse 3

And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that [is] upon the inwards,

The fat that covereth the inwards. — Hearty thanks must be given to God; such as cometh not from the roof of the mouth, but the root of the heart. An airy "God be thanked" profiteth not. "Sing with grace in your hearts," is the best tune to any psalm. The voice which is made in the mouth is nothing so sweet as that which comes from the depth of the breast.

Verse 4

And the two kidneys, and the fat that [is] on them, which [is] by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.

With the kidneys. — Those seats of lust. Earthly members must be mortified by the thankful.

Verse 5

And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which [is] upon the wood that [is] on the fire: [it is] an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Upon the burnt sacrifice. — Which was first offered, to teach us that sin must be pardoned ere our thank offerings can be accepted. It is, therefore, ordinarily, best to begin our prayers with confession of sin, and petitions for pardon through Christ.

Verse 6

And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD [be] of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.

Male or female. — See on Leviticus 3:1 .

Verse 7

If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the LORD.

Shall he offer it before the Lord. — Yet shall but part of it be burnt.

Verse 8

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar.

Lay his hand.See Trapp on " Leviticus 1:4 "

Verse 9

And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat thereof, [and] the whole rump, it shall he take off hard by the backbone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that [is] upon the inwards,

The whole rump. — Which in those country sheep is very large: yet not so large as those in America, mentioned by Sir Francis Drake, The World Encompassed. as large as cattle, and supplying in the stead of horses for burden or travel.

Verse 10

And the two kidneys, and the fat that [is] upon them, which [is] by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.

And the two kidneys. — The inwards must be consecrated to God. "The hidden man of the heart" is his.

Verse 11

And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: [it is] the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD.

It is the food. — That whereupon God himself seemeth to feed. Psalms 50:13

Verse 17

[It shall be] a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.

That ye neither eat fat nor blood. — Neither be carnal nor cruel; but let your souls delight in the fatness and sweetness of God’s ordinances.

Bibliographical Information
Trapp, John. "Commentary on Leviticus 3". Trapp's Complete Commentary. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jtc/leviticus-3.html. 1865-1868.