Introduction:
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, or seek reconciliation with God. The peace-offering is unique in its communal nature, as it involves the offerer, the priest, and God in a shared meal, symbolizing fellowship and harmony.

Biblical Foundation:
The instructions for peace-offerings are primarily found in the book of Leviticus. These offerings could be made from cattle, sheep, or goats, and they were to be without blemish, signifying the purity and perfection required in offerings to God.

The Offerer's Requirement:
A distinctive requirement for the peace-offering was that the offerer had to lay his hand upon the head of the animal. This act is described in Leviticus 3:2 : "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 on all sides of the altar."

Significance of Laying on of Hands:
The laying on of hands was a symbolic act representing the identification of the offerer with the sacrifice. It signified the transfer of the offerer's intentions, whether thanksgiving, vow fulfillment, or reconciliation, onto the animal. This act also symbolized the offerer's acknowledgment of the need for atonement and the desire for peace with God.

Ritual Process:
After the laying on of hands, the animal was slaughtered, and its blood was sprinkled around the altar by the priests. The fat and certain internal organs were burned on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, as described in Leviticus 3:3-5 . The remaining portions of the animal were shared between the priests and the offerer, fostering a communal meal that celebrated peace and fellowship with God.

Theological Implications:
The peace-offering underscores the importance of reconciliation and communion with God. It highlights the necessity of approaching God with a pure heart and the willingness to share in the blessings of His covenant. The communal aspect of the peace-offering foreshadows the fellowship believers have with God through Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate peace-offering, reconciling humanity to God through His sacrifice.

Conclusion:
The peace-offering, with its requirement for the offerer to lay hands on the sacrifice, serves as a profound reminder of the personal nature of worship and the desire for peace with God. It reflects the deep spiritual truths of atonement, thanksgiving, and fellowship that are central to the faith journey of believers.Leviticus 3:2,8,13
And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on the altar round about.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Separation to God.
... with their meat-offering and drink-offering was required. ... of this was the sacrifice
of peace-offerings made by ... who offered it, nor by the offerer who presented ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Scriptural Types.
... It was required by the law that all the sacrificial ... Thus the breast of the
peace-offerings was always waved, and ... of the altar and to the person of the offerer. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... of the transaction and the offerer"every command ... the feast seven days, offering
peace-offerings, and making ... What is not required of all individually, may not ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... the males among the people were required to repair ... been burned on the altar, the
offerer feasted with ... boiling the flesh of the peace-offerings, precisely as we ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

The Synoptic Gospels
... heavy as that which is required to change ... offerings, but burnt offerings and peace
offerings, it is ... covering," or neutralizing, the offerer's unworthiness to ...
/.../denney/the death of christ/chapter 1 the synoptic gospels.htm

What is a sin offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is a drink offering? | GotQuestions.org

Why was it wrong for Saul to offer a sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org

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