Leviticus 3:4

And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.

Leviticus 3:4 (KJV)

Context

Leviticus records the laws God gave to Israel through Moses. Leviticus 3 describes the peace offering, also called the fellowship offering or the offering of well-being. A worshipper brought an animal from the herd or flock to the tabernacle as an act of gratitude, devotion, or a vow. This offering expressed communion with God and was often shared as a meal by the worshipper, the priest, and their families.

Leviticus 3:4 gives specific instructions about which parts of the animal were to be taken away and burned on the altar: the two kidneys, the fat on them, the fat by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys. The Hebrew word for caul means the lobe or covering of the liver. These same parts were required in the peace offering (Leviticus 3:10, 3:15), the sin offering (Leviticus 4:9), and the guilt offering (Leviticus 7:4). This repeated pattern shows that these organs and fat held special importance in the sacrificial law.

Meaning

In Hebrew thought, the kidneys were the seat of a person’s innermost being, including emotions, conscience, and moral discernment. By offering the kidneys, the worshipper gave to God the deepest part of himself. The fat was considered the choicest part of the animal, representing richness and abundance. Giving the fat to God meant offering the best portion, not the leftovers. The caul above the liver, another fatty part, was also valuable and was to be dedicated wholly to the Lord.

These instructions taught Israel that true worship costs something. God deserves the best and the deepest of our devotion. The precise details also emphasized obedience: the worshipper could not choose which parts to bring. God specified exactly what belonged to Him, and the worshipper was to follow His command.

Biblical connections

The kidneys as a symbol of the inner person appear elsewhere in Scripture. In Psalm 16:7, the psalmist says that his reins, or kidneys, instruct him in the night, showing how God speaks to the deepest part of a person. The burning of the kidneys and fat on the altar signified offering one’s whole inner being and affections to God.

The peace offering pointed forward to Jesus Christ. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to make peace between God and man. His inner devotion to the Father was complete, and He gave His best, His very life, for our sins. Because of His finished work, believers are no longer required to offer animal sacrifices.

Application

Although these ceremonial laws are no longer practiced, they still teach us about God’s holiness and the seriousness of sin. They remind us that fellowship with God is costly and that He deserves our finest worship. We can apply this by giving God the deepest parts of our hearts, not just outward actions. Our emotions, thoughts, and conscience belong to Him.

We can also examine our worship. Do we offer God our best time, energy, and resources, or only what is convenient? The peace offering was a joyful response to God’s goodness. Our gratitude should lead us to offer ourselves fully to Him.

Reflection

Leviticus 3:4 calls us to consider what we place on the altar of our lives. God sees the inner person, and He desires our sincere devotion. The sacrificial system was a shadow of the perfect sacrifice of Christ, who made peace with God possible for all who believe. As we remember His gift, we can respond with wholehearted love and obedience.