Leviticus 9:20

And they put the fat vpon the brests, & he burnt the fat vpon the altar: Leviticus 9:20 (KJV)

Leviticus 9:20 is part of the account of Aaron and his sons consecrating themselves as priests and offering sacrifices to the Lord. The verse describes a portion of the ritual performed by Aaron, the high priest, after the initial sacrifices were made.

In the preceding verses Aaron had offered sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings on behalf of the people of Israel. Those offerings were intended to atone for the nation’s sins and to establish a covenant relationship between God and His people.

After making those sacrifices Aaron took the fat from the animals and placed it on the breasts. The fat was regarded as the choicest and most valuable part of the sacrifice, symbolising the best that could be offered to God. By setting the fat on the breasts Aaron presented it as a special offering before the Lord.

He then burned the fat upon the altar. The altar, the central element of the tabernacle, was the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. Burning the fat signified the complete dedication and surrender of the offering to God, and the rising smoke and fragrance were considered pleasing to the Lord.

The act of offering the best portions on the altar symbolised the giving of the finest to God, acknowledging His authority and holiness. This practice formed an essential part of the Old‑Testament sacrificial system.

Many Christian interpretations view this system as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the final atonement for humanity’s sins. Consequently, most Christian traditions hold that the ceremonial laws and animal sacrifices of the Old Testament are no longer required, having been fulfilled in Christ’s work.

Studying Leviticus 9:20 helps believers understand the historical context of the sacrificial system and appreciate how it prefigured the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. The passage illustrates the dedication of the choicest portions of the offering to God and demonstrates the Israelites’ commitment to honour and worship Him according to His instructions.

In summary, the verse records Aaron’s placement of the fat on the breasts of the sacrifices and its burning on the altar, symbolising the dedication of the best to God and pointing forward to the perfect, once‑for‑all sacrifice of Christ.