Peace offerings, also known as fellowship offerings, are a significant aspect of the sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament. These offerings were instituted by God as a means for the Israelites to express gratitude, fulfill vows, and seek communion with Him. The peace offering is distinct from other sacrifices in that it emphasizes fellowship and reconciliation between the offerer, the priest, and God.

Levitical Instructions

The primary instructions for peace offerings are found in the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus 3 provides detailed guidelines on how these offerings were to be conducted. The offering could be from the herd or the flock, either male or female, but it had to be without blemish. The offerer was to lay his hand on the head of the offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priests would then sprinkle the blood on the altar and burn the fat as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 7:11-21 further elaborates on the types of peace offerings, which include thanksgiving offerings, vow offerings, and freewill offerings. The thanksgiving offering was accompanied by unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers, and cakes of fine flour well kneaded and mixed with oil. The flesh of the sacrifice was to be eaten on the day of the offering, with none left until morning.

Purpose and Significance

The peace offering served multiple purposes. It was a voluntary act of worship, expressing thanksgiving and gratitude to God. It also symbolized a vow or commitment made by the offerer. Importantly, it was a communal meal shared by the offerer, the priest, and, symbolically, God Himself, signifying peace and fellowship among them.

Scriptural References

· Leviticus 3:1-5 : "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. From the peace offering he is to bring an offering made by fire to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them, the two kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys. 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."

· Leviticus 7:11-15 : "Now this is the law of the peace offering that one may present to the LORD: If he offers it in thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers coated with oil, and well-kneaded cakes of fine flour mixed with oil. Along with his peace offering of thanksgiving, he is to present an offering with cakes of leavened bread. From the cakes he must present one portion as a contribution to the LORD; it belongs to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offering. The meat of the sacrifice of his peace offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day he offers it; none of it may be left until morning."

Symbolism and Fulfillment

The peace offering is rich in symbolism, representing reconciliation and communion with God. It foreshadows the ultimate peace offering made by Jesus Christ, who through His sacrifice on the cross, reconciled humanity to God. As stated in Ephesians 2:14 , "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility."

In the New Testament context, the peace offering finds its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who provides eternal peace and fellowship with God for all who believe.Exodus 20:24
An altar of earth you shall make to me, and shall sacrifice thereon your burnt offerings, and your peace offerings, your sheep, and your oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come to you, and I will bless you.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 24:5
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 3:6
And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering to the LORD be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 7:11
And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer to the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 19:5
And if you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD, you shall offer it at your own will.
Nave's Topical Index

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... pretence to cover it, and by means of her offerings, she got a ... "But to the counsellors
of peace is joy ... state of the quarrel, or choose a better general(396) for ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... bullocks, goats and rams, all pointed forward in general and in ... Gentile; like the
Burnt, the Meal and the Peace "sweet savor" offerings, which proclaimed ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... Oblations in general; the sin and trespass offerings, which were never merely voluntary:
the burnt-offering: the peace-offerings, that were wont to be ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

the life of constantine
... Chapter XL.--Of the Number of his Offerings. ... the Zealous Prayers of Constantine procured
Peace to the ... Chapter XVIII.--He enjoins the General Observance of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/the life of constantine/

General Index.
... Advent message, proclamation of, timely, 351-354. general proclamation of, 355-374. ...
peace on earth due to His restraining power, 36. ... Offerings, see Sanctuary. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... fathers, children, teachers, and in general over all ... is ignorant of the Holy Scriptures,
which proclaim ... Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace-offerings and thank ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

On the Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead; He Ascended into ...
... on us the impression, that, amidst the general confusion, all ... Once more He spake
the Peace be unto you!' and ... all thy Easter-chimes; bring you offerings, all ye ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii on the third.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... and that its first and general meaning is ... you not that saying of the Scriptures,
"by the ... which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... it to say, that, according to general opinion, the ... that of all the sacrifices only
thank-offerings would be ... a period of holiness, of forgiveness, and of peace. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

Concerning the Lord's Supper
... know that neither he, nor even a general council, has ... agree, such as""These gifts;
these offerings; these holy ... For faith is the sole peace of conscience, and ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning the lords supper.htm

What does it mean that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian promote world peace? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to have peace with God? | GotQuestions.org

Peace: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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