In the Old Testament, peace offerings, also known as fellowship offerings, hold a significant place in the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. These offerings are detailed primarily in the book of Leviticus and are characterized by their purpose of expressing thanksgiving, fulfilling vows, or serving as freewill offerings. The peace offering is unique in that it symbolizes reconciliation and communion between the offerer, the priest, and God.

Biblical Foundation

The instructions for peace offerings are found in Leviticus 3 and Leviticus 7. The offering could be from the herd or the flock, either male or female, but it had to be without blemish. The offerer would lay their hand on the head of the animal, symbolically transferring their identity and intentions to the sacrifice, and then slaughter it at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. The priest would then sprinkle the blood around the altar, a ritual act signifying atonement and purification.

Leviticus 3:1-2 states: "If one's offering is a peace offering and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present it without blemish before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar."

Role of the Priest

The priest played a crucial role in the peace offering. After the blood was sprinkled, the priest would burn the fat and certain internal organs on the altar as a food offering to the LORD. This act was considered a "pleasing aroma" to God, signifying His acceptance of the offering and the offerer's desire for peace and fellowship with Him.

Leviticus 3:5 describes this process: "Then Aaron's sons are to burn it on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD."

The priest also received a portion of the peace offering. Leviticus 7:31-34 explains that the breast of the animal was waved as a wave offering before the LORD and belonged to Aaron and his sons, while the right thigh was given as a contribution to the officiating priest. This provision for the priesthood underscores the communal aspect of the peace offering, as it provided sustenance for those who served in the Tabernacle.

Spiritual Significance

The peace offering is deeply symbolic of the restored relationship between God and His people. It reflects the peace and fellowship that result from atonement and reconciliation. The shared meal aspect of the offering, where the offerer, the priest, and God (symbolically through the burnt portion) partake, highlights the communal and covenantal nature of the relationship between God and Israel.

In the New Testament, the concept of peace offerings finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). Through His sacrificial death, believers are reconciled to God, and the enmity caused by sin is abolished. The peace offering thus foreshadows the perfect and complete peace brought about by Christ's atoning work on the cross.

Conclusion

The peace offering, as administered by the priest, was an offering most acceptable to God, symbolizing reconciliation, thanksgiving, and communal fellowship. It served as a vital component of the sacrificial system, pointing forward to the ultimate peace and reconciliation achieved through Jesus Christ.Leviticus 3:5,16
And Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar on the burnt sacrifice, which is on the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet smell to the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... by those twelve stones which the high priest bare on ... old, for a whole burnt-offering,
as also ... brought also other sacrifices, called peace-offerings, for every ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

Separation to God.
... example of this was the sacrifice of peace-offerings made by ... the order of enumeration:
the burnt-offering is always ... of it was eaten by the priest who offered it ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... In the peace-offerings, the breast-bone and the right ... This is also denoted the priest's
need of wisdom in ... The offering of turtledoves and doves was on account ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

Scriptural Types.
... Thus the breast of the peace-offerings was always waved ... other prescribed services;
but the high priest alone was ... every year with the blood of the sin-offering. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Princely Service.
... a princely offering for a sacrifice of peace-offerings; two oxen ... and in which the
sacrificing priest, the offerer ... And this, all this, was the offering of Nahshon ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the ...
... priestly offices of Moses and Aaron, the peace-offerings of Samuel ... The offering of
peace, the sacrifice of praise. The Priest [A veil is now withdrawn from the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of james.htm

"Lo, I Come": Exposition
... slew the sacrifices, and presented their peace-offerings; but the ... are priests, since
no apostle was a priest. ... we are sanctified through the offering of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lo i come exposition.htm

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ...
... libations, oblations, first-fruits, and peace offerings, referred. ... apostle, imitating
him, speaks of offering "the sacrifice ... he is our High Priest, who, having ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 of the popish.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... near to present an acceptable sacrifice; and as a priest, he makes ... which were never
merely voluntary: the burnt-offering: the peace-offerings, that were ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

Sermons of St. Bernard on the Passing of Malachy
... in a humble spirit[1166] often brought peace-offerings to the ... With the departure
of the priest the rite of ... this world to a conflict, to whom offering His flesh ...
/.../sermons of st bernard on.htm

What is a peace offering / fellowship offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is a free will offering / freewill offering? | GotQuestions.org

What were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

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