Leviticus 7:18 - If any of the meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, and it shall not be credited to him who offers it. It will be an abomination, and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Leviticus 7:18" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 7:18 deals with the proper handling and consumption of peace offerings in ancient Israel. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
"If any of the meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day...": Peace offerings were voluntary sacrifices made to God, often as expressions of thanksgiving, fellowship, or vows. A portion of the sacrificed animal was given to God (burned on the altar), a portion was given to the priests, and a portion was eaten by the person making the offering and their family/friends. This verse focuses on the portion meant for the offerer.
"...it will not be accepted, and it shall not be credited to him who offers it.": This is the core of the prohibition. If the meat is eaten on the third day, it is deemed unacceptable to God. The offering loses its value and purpose. The person making the offering doesn't receive the intended spiritual benefit or blessing associated with it. It becomes null and void.
"It will be an abomination...": The word "abomination" (Hebrew: pigul) is a strong term in Leviticus. It signifies something detestable, disgusting, and offensive to God. In this context, allowing the meat to become stale or potentially spoiled before eating it transformed a sacred act into something defiling.
"...and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.": This is a serious consequence. Eating the meat on the third day is a sin that carries a penalty. The "soul who eats" (referring to any individual who consumes the forbidden meat) will "bear his iniquity." This means they will be held accountable for their transgression and face the consequences, which could include divine judgment or ritual uncleanness requiring purification.
Underlying Reasons and Interpretation:
Several factors likely contributed to this restriction:
Freshness and Reverence: The emphasis on eating the meat within a certain timeframe (day of sacrifice and following day) suggests an importance of freshness and honoring God with the best possible offering. Spoiled or decaying meat would have been seen as disrespectful and unsuitable for consumption in a sacred context.
Practicality and Hygiene: In the hot climate of ancient Israel, meat would spoil quickly. Eating meat that was not fresh could lead to illness, so the law may also have had a practical, hygienic purpose.
Prevention of Waste: The law encouraged the proper and timely consumption of the offering, preventing unnecessary waste of a sacred resource.
Obedience and Faithfulness: More broadly, this rule tested the offerer's obedience to God's commands. It demonstrated a commitment to following God's instructions even in seemingly minor details.
In Summary:
Leviticus 7:18 prohibits the consumption of peace offering meat on the third day after the sacrifice. Such an act is considered an abomination, renders the offering unacceptable, and results in the individual bearing the consequences of their sin. The rule likely aimed to ensure freshness, reverence, prevent waste, and test the obedience of the offerer.
Leviticus 7:18 - If any of the meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, and it shall not be credited to him who offers it. It will be an abomination, and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.
What does "Leviticus 7:18" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 7:18 deals with the proper handling and consumption of peace offerings in ancient Israel. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
"If any of the meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day...": Peace offerings were voluntary sacrifices made to God, often as expressions of thanksgiving, fellowship, or vows. A portion of the sacrificed animal was given to God (burned on the altar), a portion was given to the priests, and a portion was eaten by the person making the offering and their family/friends. This verse focuses on the portion meant for the offerer.
"...it will not be accepted, and it shall not be credited to him who offers it.": This is the core of the prohibition. If the meat is eaten on the third day, it is deemed unacceptable to God. The offering loses its value and purpose. The person making the offering doesn't receive the intended spiritual benefit or blessing associated with it. It becomes null and void.
"It will be an abomination...": The word "abomination" (Hebrew: pigul) is a strong term in Leviticus. It signifies something detestable, disgusting, and offensive to God. In this context, allowing the meat to become stale or potentially spoiled before eating it transformed a sacred act into something defiling.
"...and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.": This is a serious consequence. Eating the meat on the third day is a sin that carries a penalty. The "soul who eats" (referring to any individual who consumes the forbidden meat) will "bear his iniquity." This means they will be held accountable for their transgression and face the consequences, which could include divine judgment or ritual uncleanness requiring purification.
Underlying Reasons and Interpretation:
Several factors likely contributed to this restriction:
Freshness and Reverence: The emphasis on eating the meat within a certain timeframe (day of sacrifice and following day) suggests an importance of freshness and honoring God with the best possible offering. Spoiled or decaying meat would have been seen as disrespectful and unsuitable for consumption in a sacred context.
Practicality and Hygiene: In the hot climate of ancient Israel, meat would spoil quickly. Eating meat that was not fresh could lead to illness, so the law may also have had a practical, hygienic purpose.
Prevention of Waste: The law encouraged the proper and timely consumption of the offering, preventing unnecessary waste of a sacred resource.
Obedience and Faithfulness: More broadly, this rule tested the offerer's obedience to God's commands. It demonstrated a commitment to following God's instructions even in seemingly minor details.
In Summary:
Leviticus 7:18 prohibits the consumption of peace offering meat on the third day after the sacrifice. Such an act is considered an abomination, renders the offering unacceptable, and results in the individual bearing the consequences of their sin. The rule likely aimed to ensure freshness, reverence, prevent waste, and test the obedience of the offerer.