Leviticus 7:30 - With his own hands he shall bring the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before Yahweh.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 7:30

What does "Leviticus 7:30" mean?


Leviticus 7:30 describes part of the process for a peace offering, specifically the part related to the priest's portion. Let's break down the meaning:

"With his own hands he shall bring the offerings of Yahweh made by fire..." This refers to the priest personally bringing specific parts of the animal to the altar to be burned as a sacrifice to God. The "offerings made by fire" indicate that these parts were consumed in the flames on the altar.

"He shall bring the fat with the breast..." This specifies which parts of the animal the priest brings to the altar. The "fat" would be specific portions of fat from the animal (often the fat covering the entrails and kidneys), considered a choice part. "The breast" is also included.

"...that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before Yahweh." This is a key action. The priest would take the breast and perform a "wave offering." This likely involved the priest holding the breast and moving it back and forth or up and down (waving it) in a specific ritual gesture before the altar. The purpose of the wave offering was to dedicate the breast to Yahweh. After this dedication, the breast would become the priest's portion to eat.

In essence, this verse outlines the priest's responsibility in offering the peace sacrifice. He brings specific parts (fat and breast) to the altar. The fat is burned, and the breast is dedicated to God through the wave offering, after which it becomes the priest's food.

Symbolic Meanings:

Fat: Often seen as the best part of the animal, its offering symbolizes giving the best to God.
Breast: Some scholars suggest the breast might represent the heart or affection, signifying offering devotion to God.
Wave Offering: The waving motion is a symbolic gesture of presentation and dedication to God.

The peace offering was a voluntary sacrifice often made to express thanks, celebrate a covenant, or ask for God's peace and favor. A portion of the animal was consumed by the offerer, a portion was burned on the altar for God, and the priests received a portion as their compensation. This sharing of the offering signified communion and fellowship among God, the offerer, and the priests.