Matthew Henry on Leviticus 3:1-5
The burnt-offerings had regard to God as in himself the best of beings, most perfect and excellent; they were purely expressive of adoration, and therefore were wholly burnt. But the peace-offerings had regard to God as a benefactor to his creatures, and the giver of all good things to us; and therefore these were divided between the altar, the priest, and the owner. Peace signifies, 1. Reconciliation, concord, and communion. And so these were called peace-offerings, because in them God and his people did, as it were, feast together, in token of friendship. The priest, who was ordained for men in things pertaining to God, gave part of this peace-offering to God (that part which he required,…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on Leviticus 3:1
Peace-offering - שלמים shelamim, an offering to make peace between God and man; see on Leviticus 7 (note), and Gen 14:18 (note).
John Gill on Leviticus 3:1
And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering,.... The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan render it, the "sacrifice of holinesses", or "sanctifications"; so called, not because they were more holy than other sacrifices; for they were what the Jews (c) call the lighter holy things, in distinction from the most holy things, such as the meat offerings were, Leviticus 2:10 but as Ainsworth suggests, either because none but holy persons might eat of them, Leviticus 7:19 though this also was enjoined in other sacrifices, or because hereby the name of God was sanctified. These offerings were either by way of thanksgiving for favours received, or for free devotion, or as a vow, and in order to o…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Calvin on Leviticus 3:1-15
And if his oblation be a sacrifice. He now proceeds to a different class, viz., to the sacrifices, which were testimonies of gratitude in celebration of God's blessings; part of which was burnt with fire, part was claimed by the priests, and the rest remained to the offerers themselves. As to the word slmym, shelomim, I have briefly given my opinion elsewhere; [253] the common translation of it is certainly unsuitable, "the sacrifices of peace-offerings:" and the statement of others is far-fetched, that they are called "sacrifices of perfections," because it was unlawful for the unclean to touch them. Since, however, the Hebrews include in the word "peace," safety, and all good success, I ha…
