Leviticus 7
22 Jul 2026 - Theology
Five Types of Sacrifices
Trespass Offering
This chapter goes into more detail on the trespass offering, which we first read about in Leviticus 5:14-19 and then again in Leviticus 6:1-7.
Leviticus 7:1 - “Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering: it is most holy.”
The ram for this sacrifice must be killed “in the place where they kill the burnt offering.” The blood is then spinkled “round about upon the altar.” (2)
Leviticus 7:6 - “Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy.”
Peace Offering
The Torah then details the peace offering, which we first read about in Leviticus 3.
The meat offered of the sacrifice for thanksgiving must be eaten the same day it is offered, and can not be left for the next day. (15)
If the meat offered of the sacrifice is for a vow or voluntary offering, it can be eaten on the same day it is offered and on the next day. (16)
Leviticus 7:17-18 - “But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire. And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.”
There is also an absolute ban on eating any fat or blood of the sacrifice. Breaking this rule results in being cut off from the community.
Leviticus 7:25,27 - “For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people. Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.”
Five Types of Sacrifices
There are five main types of sacrifices detailed in Leviticus 1-7:
- The Burnt Offering
- Leviticus 1
- Leviticus 6:8-13
- The Meat (Meal) Offering
- Leviticus 2
- Leviticus 6:14-23
- The Peace Offering
- Leviticus 3
- Leviticus 7:11-36
- The Sin Offering
- Leviticus 4
- Leviticus 5:1-13
- Leviticus 6:24-30
- The Trespass Offering
- Leviticus 5:14-19
- Leviticus 6:1-7
- Leviticus 7:1-10
Why doesn’t the Torah combine the instructions together for each type of sacrifice?
As I mentioned previously, there are two groups of instructions:
- If your offering is [this kind of sacrifice], then…
- This is the law of [this kind of sacrifice]
The first group of instructions are written to all the people of Israel, and the second group is written specifically for the priests.
For example, here is an instruction that follows the format of the first group:
Leviticus 1:2 - “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, [then] ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.”
And here is an instruction that follows the format of the second group:
Leviticus 6:9 - “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.”
This is similar to what we found in the book of Genesis, when there was more than one version of the same story. Some people memorized the story one way, and some memorized it another way.
References
- The Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible (KJV Version)
- The Torah Portion-by-Portion by Rabbi Seymour Rossel (2007)