Leviticus 7:1-10
The guilt offering restores covenant integrity while providing sustenance for those who serve in the sanctuary.
1 “ ‘This is the law of the trespass offering: It is most holy.
2 In the place where they kill the burnt offering, he shall kill the trespass offering; and its blood he shall sprinkle around on the altar.
3 He shall offer all of its fat: the fat tail, and the fat that covers the innards,
4 and he shall take away the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys;
5 and the priest shall burn them on the altar for an offering made by fire to Yahweh: it is a trespass offering.
6 Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy.
7 “ ‘As is the sin offering, so is the trespass offering; there is one law for them. The priest who makes atonement with them shall have it.
8 The priest who offers any man’s burnt offering shall have for himself the skin of the burnt offering which he has offered.
9 Every meal offering that is baked in the oven, and all that is prepared in the pan and on the griddle, shall be the priest’s who offers it.
10 Every meal offering, mixed with oil or dry, belongs to all the sons of Aaron, one as well as another.
The guilt offering restores covenant integrity while providing sustenance for those who serve in the sanctuary.
This passage provides priestly regulations for the guilt offering, clarifying how the sacrifice is presented, which portions belong to the LORD, and which portions are assigned to the priests who serve at the altar.
Leviticus 7:1-10 continues the priestly offering-regulation section begun in Leviticus 6:8. After the burnt offering, grain offering, and sin offering regulations, this passage gives the priestly regulation for the guilt offering. It then includes a summary of priestly portions from several offerings, especially the hide of the burnt offering and the various forms of grain offering.
Leviticus 7:1-10 belongs to Israel's wilderness tabernacle instruction and continues the priestly manual for offerings. Israel lives before the LORD, whose altar, priesthood, and offerings are governed by his holy commands. The priests mediate offerings and receive appointed holy portions. The guilt offering is slaughtered where the burnt offering is slaughtered. Blood is splashed against the altar sides. Fat portions are burned as a food offering to the LORD. The permitted portion is eaten by priestly males in the sanctuary area. Additional priestly portions from burnt and grain offerings are assigned. The instruction concerns Aaron and his sons, the priests who handle guilt offerings, burn altar portions, eat most holy portions, make atonement, and receive offerings assigned by the LORD. The guilt offering followed earlier instructions requiring restitution and a ram in cases of liability. This passage gives the priestly side of the rite: blood, fat, altar burning, holy consumption, and priestly shares. The passage completes the initial guilt offering regulation begun in Leviticus 5:14 and continues the priestly section of Leviticus 6-7 before moving to fellowship offerings.
The Guilt Offering, Priestly Portions, and Holy Fellowship
Holy fellowship with the LORD requires holy sacrifice, holy eating, holy boundaries, and faithful priestly provision.