Leviticus 3:4

Translations

Modern

…both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.

Traditional

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.

Literal

…and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, that is on the flanks, and the lobe of the liver above the kidneys, which he shall remove.

Latin

…duos renes cum adipe quo teguntur ilia, et reticulum jecoris cum renunculis.

Original

Hebrew

English

…both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.

Notes

Leviticus 3:4

kidneys … lobe of the liver: The kidneys and liver had special meaning for the Israelites.

They thought of kidneys as the place where understanding and deep thoughts came from, similar to how we think of the brain today. For example, "my heart yearns within me" [literally my kidneys are consumed] (Job 19:27). It can refer to "minds" (Psalms 7:9; Psalm 26:2; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 11:20; 20:12).

The liver represented life and energy to the Israelites, similar to how many cultures today understand the "heart" (Lamentations 2:11).

Leviticus 3:1–17

The peace offering (called shelem in Hebrew) showed worship through fellowship with the Lord and others. The word comes from the same root as shalom, which means wholeness, well-being, harmony, and peace.

Shalom is more than just ending conflict between God and the worshiper. It means a bond of harmonious fellowship. The peace offering was a shared meal celebrating fellowship with God and others (compare Exodus 18:12; 24:9–11; 1 Samuel 9:15–24). They could offer it as thanks (Leviticus 7:12–15), as a voluntary offering, or to fulfill a vow (7:16–18; 22:21).

Peace offerings often came after whole burnt offerings (for example, 1 Kings 9:25). This showed that fellowship with God follows atonement. When we experience atonement through Christ, we can be at peace with God and each other (see Acts 2:42; 10:36; Romans 5:1; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:17–34; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Pure Worship

Related verses

Leviticus 3:10
…both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
Leviticus 8:16
Moses also took all the fat that was on the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys and their fat, and burned it all on the altar.
Leviticus 3:15
…both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
Exodus 29:22
Take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh (since this is a ram for ordination),
Leviticus 8:25
And Moses took the fat—the fat tail, all the fat that was on the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with their fat—as well as the right thigh.
Leviticus 4:9
…both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys—
Leviticus 9:19
They also brought the fat portions from the ox and the ram—the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver—
Leviticus 9:10
On the altar he burned the fat, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver from the sin offering, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exodus 29:13
Take all the fat that covers the entrails and the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar.
Leviticus 7:4
…both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys.

Leviticus 3:4

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics