Leviticus 7 — “The Portion of the Altar and the Portion of the Priest: Sharing in the Sacrifice of Peace”
Leviticus 1–5 taught how sacrifice atones for sin.
Leviticus 6 taught that sacrifice must be continual.
Leviticus 7 now teaches how the sacrifice is shared — what belongs to God, what belongs to the priest, and what is given to the worshipper.
This chapter teaches one central truth:
God not only accepts sacrifice — He distributes it, creating communion between heaven, priesthood, and people, fulfilled in Christ and the Eucharist.
1. The Law of the Guilt Offering
“This is the law of the guilt offering: it is most holy.” (Lev 7:1)
The guilt offering deals with reparation.
St Augustine writes:
“Where there is injury, there must be healing; where there is loss, there must be restoration.”
(Sermons)
Typology:
Christ repairs what Adam destroyed.
He restores holiness to what sin damaged.
He is not only forgiver
but Restorer.
2. One Place for Sin and Guilt Offerings
(vv. 2–6)
The same altar receives:
• burnt offering
• sin offering
• guilt offering
St Jerome comments:
“Different sins meet one mercy.”
(Commentary)
Typology:
There is one Cross
for many sins.
Many wounds,
one Physician.
3. The Fat Belongs to the LORD
“All the fat is the LORD’s.” (v. 4)
The best portion
is God’s.
St Gregory the Great teaches:
“The inward strength of man must belong to God.”
(Homilies)
Typology:
Christ gives the Father
the fullness of His life.
We give God not leftovers,
but the heart.
4. The Priest Eats the Offering
(vv. 6–7)
The priest shares
in what he offers.
St Ambrose writes:
“He who ministers the sacrifice lives from the sacrifice.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy)
Typology:
Christ offers Himself
and gives Himself.
The priesthood of the Church
lives from Christ’s sacrifice.
5. The Law of the Peace Offering
(vv. 11–15)
The peace offering may be:
• thanksgiving
• vow
• freewill gift
St Augustine teaches:
“Peace is offered not only for sin but for joy.”
(City of God)
Typology:
Christ establishes peace:
• with God
• with man
• within the soul
The Cross creates friendship.
6. Thanksgiving and Bread
(vv. 12–13)
Unleavened and leavened bread
are offered.
St Jerome comments:
“Thanksgiving brings both purity and abundance.”
(Commentary)
Typology:
The Eucharist unites:
• sacrifice
• thanksgiving
“Eucharist” means thanksgiving.
7. Time Limit on the Flesh
(vv. 15–18)
The sacrifice must be eaten quickly.
St Gregory the Great writes:
“Holy things must not be treated casually or left to decay.”
(Homilies)
Typology:
Grace must be received
when offered.
Delay hardens the heart.
8. Clean and Unclean
(vv. 19–21)
Only the clean may eat.
St Ambrose teaches:
“He who approaches holy food must first be made holy.”
(On the Mysteries)
Typology:
Confession prepares for communion.
The altar demands purity.
9. No Blood, No Fat
(vv. 22–27)
Blood = life.
Fat = the best.
St Augustine explains:
“What is God’s must not be consumed as common food.”
(Sermons)
Typology:
Life belongs to God.
Strength belongs to God.
Christ gives His blood sacramentally,
not carnally.
10. The Priest’s Portion
(vv. 28–34)
The breast and right thigh
belong to the priest.
St Jerome remarks:
“The priest receives what he lifts up before God.”
(Commentary)
Typology:
The Church receives
what she offers.
The priesthood feeds
from the altar.
11. The Breast: Love
The breast signifies love.
St Augustine writes:
“From Christ’s breast flows charity.”
(Sermons)
Typology:
The priest bears Christ’s love
to the people.
12. The Thigh: Strength
The thigh signifies strength and work.
St Gregory the Great teaches:
“Strength is given to those who serve.”
(Homilies)
Typology:
Christ gives strength
to His ministers.
13. The Ordination Offering Recalled
(vv. 35–36)
These portions belong
to the priests by covenant.
St Ambrose says:
“God provides for those who serve His altar.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy)
Typology:
Christ sustains His Church
through His sacrifice.
14. Summary of the Sacrificial Law
(vv. 37–38)
This chapter concludes:
• burnt offering
• grain offering
• sin offering
• guilt offering
• peace offering
St Augustine writes:
“All sacrifices converge in one meaning.”
(City of God)
Typology:
All sacrifices point to Christ.
The many laws teach
one salvation.
15. The Meaning of Leviticus 7
This chapter teaches:
• God shares what is offered
• holiness is required for communion
• thanksgiving completes sacrifice
• priests live from the altar
It proclaims:
Sacrifice is not only death.
It is also feast.
16. Christ and the Peace Offering
Christ fulfills Leviticus 7 as:
• the Restorer of guilt
• the Maker of peace
• the Bread of thanksgiving
• the Food of priests
• the Distributor of grace
• the One sacrifice shared
• the Source of communion
“He who eats Me will live because of Me.” (John 6:57)
17. The Church and the Shared Sacrifice
In Christ, the Church becomes:
• a sacrificial people
• a eucharistic people
• a priestly nation
• a thankful people
• a reconciled family
St Paul writes:
“The cup of blessing… is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16)
The altar becomes a table.
The table becomes communion.
Spiritual Application
Give God the best portion.
Approach holy things with purity.
Receive grace promptly.
Live in thanksgiving.
Support those who serve the altar.
Share in Christ’s sacrifice with reverence.
Christ in Leviticus 7
Jesus is:
• the True Guilt Offering
• the Maker of Peace
• the Bread of Thanksgiving
• the Food of the Priesthood
• the Distributor of Grace
• the Shared Sacrifice
• the Covenant of Communion
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
true Peace Offering and Bread of Life,
You have made peace by the blood of Your Cross
and invite us to share in Your sacrifice
as food for eternal life.
Teach us to give You the best of our hearts,
to approach Your altar with purity,
and to live in thanksgiving for Your mercy.
Feed us with Your sacrifice.
Strengthen us by Your love.
Unite us in Your peace.
And lead us from sacrifice into glory,
where You live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever.
Amen.
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