Leviticus 3, Fellowship Offerings

A fellowship offering (or "peace offering", shelem -- note the similarity to the greeting shalom) was an act of communion, in which the family ate with the priests, representing communion with God. A fellowship offering could be a way of expressing thanks to God for some particular blessing.

Leviticus 3:1-5, An animal offered in a fellowship offering

"`If someone's offering is a fellowship offering, and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he is to present before the LORD an animal without defect. He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood against the altar on all sides. From the fellowship offering he is to bring a sacrifice made to the LORD by fire: all the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys. Then Aaron's sons are to burn it on the altar on top of the  burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

As before, the offered animal was to be perfect, without defect. Note the details in cooking the animal, removing the kidneys, burning the fat. 

Leviticus 3:6-16, Lambs or goats 

"`If he offers an animal from the flock as a fellowship offering to the LORD, he is to offer a male or female  without defect.  

If he offers a lamb, he is to present it before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron's sons shall sprinkle its blood against the altar on all sides. From the fellowship offering he is to bring a sacrifice made to the LORD by fire: its fat, the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, all the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys. The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made to the LORD by fire.

"`If his offering is a goat, he is to present it before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on its head and slaughter it in front of the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron's sons shall sprinkle its blood against the altar on all sides. From what he offers he is to make this offering to the LORD by fire: all the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys. The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma. 

All the fat is the LORD's. 

Every time an animal is sacrificed, the person making the sacrifice is to place his hand on the animal's head, apparently signifying substitution.

The fat (cheleb) was considered the best part of the animal and that part was to be burned as an offering to God.

Leviticus 3:17, No fat or blood

"`This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come,  wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.'"   

The people are no to eat fat or blood. The prohibition against blood continues into the New Testament (see Acts 15:19-21.)

First published August 2, 2025; updated August 2, 2025