Bible Dictionaries
Peace Offering

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Peace Offering. The properly, Eucharistic Offering, among the Jews, in its theory, resembling the Meat [Meal] Offering, and, therefore, indicating that the offerer was already reconciled to, and in covenant with, God. Its ceremonial is described in Leviticus 3:1.

The Peace Offerings, unlike other sacrifices, were not ordained to be offered, in fixed and regular course. The only constantly recurring Peace Offering appears to have been that of the two firstling lambs at Pentecost. Leviticus 23:19. The general principle of the Peace Offering seems to have been that, it should be entirely spontaneous, offered as occasion should arise, from the feeling of the sacrificer himself. Leviticus 19:5.

On the first institution, Leviticus 7:11-17, Peace Offerings are divided into "Offerings of Thanksgiving," and "Vows or Freewill Offerings;" of which latter class, the offering by a Nazarite, on the completion of his vow, is the most remarkable. Numbers 6:14. We find, accordingly, Peace Offerings offered for the people, on a great scale at periods, of unusual solemnity, or rejoicing. In two cases only - Judges 20:26; 2 Samuel 24:26 - Peace Offerings are mentioned as offered with Burnt Offerings, at a time of national sorrow, and fasting.

Bibliography Information
Smith, William, Dr. Entry for 'Peace Offering'. Smith's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​sbd/​p/peace-offering.html. 1901.