Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Leviticus 3:3
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,
3. The portions of the Peace-Offering taken for sacrifice are described in Lev 3:3-4 ; Lev 3:9-10 ; Lev 3:14-15 in almost identical words. In the case of the lamb the fat tail entire was also burnt ( Lev 3:9). The sheep of Palestine have a broad fatty excrescence on the tail, used now in cooking instead of butter. This was not to be eaten but taken away hard by the backbone and offered. The Heb. word ( ’alyah) occurs Lev 3:9 (see note), and Lev 7:3, Lev 8:25, Lev 9:19; Exo 29:22 only in MT. But (see on Lev 3:9) it should also be read in 1Sa 9:24. The A.V. has rump in all these places. As the parts sacrificed were different for the lamb and the goat, it was necessary to treat each case separately; hence the subdivision is not exactly the same as in ch. 1.
the fat that covereth the inwards ] By this is probably meant the membrane which covers the intestines, and is called the great omentum. Thick pieces of fat are found adhering to it, if the animal is healthy and well fed. Pieces of fat are also found on the intestines, and these are described as the fat that is upon the inwards.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The fat that covereth the inwards refers to the caul or transparent membrane which has upon it a network of fatty tissue: the fat upon the inwards refers to the small lumps of suet found upon the intestines of healthy animals.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. The fat that covereth the inwards] The omentum, caul or web, as some term it. The fat that is upon the inwards; probably the mesentery or fatty part of the substance which connects the convolutions of the alimentary canal or small intestines.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
3. he shall offer of the sacrificeof the peace offeringThe peace offering differed from theoblations formerly mentioned in this respect: while the burntoffering was wholly consumed on the altar, and the freewill offeringwas partly consumed and partly assigned to the priests; in thisoffering the fat alone was burnt; only a small part was allotted tothe priests while the rest was granted to the offerer and hisfriends, thus forming a sacred feast of which the Lord, His priests,and people conjointly partook, and which was symbolical of thespiritual feast, the sacred communion which, through Christ, thegreat peace offering, believers enjoy. (See further on Lev 19:5-8;Lev 22:21).
the fat that covereth theinwardsthat is, the web work that presents itself first to theeye on opening the belly of a cow.
the fat . . . upon theinwardsadhering to the intestines, but easily removable fromthem; or, according to some, that which was next the ventricle.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering,…. That is, the priest, not all of it, but some of it, even what is after mentioned:
an offering made by fire unto the Lord; for what was offered to the Lord was burnt, and is that part of it which is next mentioned in this and the following verse:
the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards; both that which covered them, and that which stuck to them; and the fat being the best, it was the Lord’s, and offered to him, and denoted Christ the fatted calf, whose sacrifice is best and most excellent; and which was typified by that which Abel offered up, and which being of the fat of the flock, and offered up by faith in Christ’s sacrifice, was more excellent than Cain’s, Ge 4:4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) And he shall offer.That is, he who brings the sacrifices, not the priest.
The fat.That is, the best or choicest part. Hence the expression is also used for the best produce of the ground (Gen. 45:18; Num. 18:12). As the most valuable part of the animal, the fat belonged to God, and hence had a peculiar sanctity, for which reason it was not allowed to be eaten (Lev. 3:17; Lev. 7:23).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. The fat The suet or sweet fat is here described. The fat diffused through the flesh it was lawful to eat. The suet was forbidden food.
Lev 7:23. The burning of the suet is particularly specified in every kind of offering of a victim. Whatever was reserved for the priest, or to the offerer, the suet must always be burned. The reason may be, because this is the best portion. Murphy assigns another reason: “The fat is expressive of the holiness which pertains to the Substitute, as the blood is significant of the penal death which He has undertaken to suffer. The two go to make up what is called righteousness, or active and passive obedience to the law for the sinner.” We see no semblance between fat and holiness which can make one a fitting type of the other except their purity and unmingled nature. See Concluding Note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Lev 3:3. The fat i.e. What we call the suet.
REFLECTIONS.Peace-offerings were either to express their grateful acknowledgments for mercies received, or to second their prayers for some good which was desired. Note; Christ is our Peace; and it is through him that we may make our requests with confidence of being heard, and offer our praises, assured that they will please God.
The same formalities were observed as before. Two things are here to be noted. 1. The fat was to be burned upon the altar: Lev 3:5. So should every corrupt affection of our hearts be consumed by the fire of Divine love. 2. It was burned upon the daily burnt-offering: for it is only with a constant eye to the Lamb that was slain, that we can hope to keep up any peaceful intercourse and communion with the holy God.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Perhaps the significance of those things, in the inward fat, meaning the prime parts of the animal, was meant to show that all offerings to the LORD must be from the heart, including the best of our affections. Pro 23:26 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Lev 3:3 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,
Ver. 3. 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.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
he = the offerer, not the priest.
offering. Hebrew. ‘ishsheh. App-43.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the fat: or, suet, Lev 3:16, Lev 4:8, Lev 4:9, Lev 7:3, Lev 7:4, Exo 29:13, Exo 29:22, Deu 30:6, Psa 119:70, Pro 23:26, Isa 6:10, Eze 36:26, Mat 13:16, Mat 15:8, Rom 5:5, Rom 6:6
Reciprocal: Exo 29:25 – offering Lev 3:9 – the fat Lev 3:14 – the fat that covereth Lev 4:31 – all the fat Lev 6:12 – burn wood Lev 7:30 – own hands Lev 8:16 – General Lev 8:25 – General Lev 9:10 – the fat Lev 22:22 – an offering 1Sa 2:15 – General 2Ch 35:12 – as it is written Psa 37:20 – smoke 1Co 10:18 – are
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3:3 And he shall {b} 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,
(b) One part was burnt, another was to the priests, and the third to him that offered.