What is the context?
The peace offering may be a male or female without blemish. The worshiper places a hand on it and slaughters it, while the priests handle the blood. Specified fat, kidneys, and the liver portion are burned on the altar.
Unlike the whole burnt offering, the instructions do not direct the entire animal to the fire. Leviticus 7:11–21 will explain the meal and its time limits. The altar’s portion belongs within an offering that also involves shared eating under God’s instructions.
How is this passage commonly understood?
The Hebrew שֶׁלֶם, shelem (SHEH-lem), appears here in the plural form used for these sacrifices. Brown–Driver–Briggs notes the disputed explanations behind names such as peace, welfare, thanksgiving, and fellowship offering. Wesley emphasizes gratitude or prayer for God’s benefits; the USCCB notes emphasize the shared meal. These are related features of this offering rather than a reason to change the BSB’s wording.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
1 Corinthians 10:16–22 explicitly refers to Israelites eating sacrifices as participants in the altar. Paul uses that participation to warn Christians about incompatible loyalties at the Lord’s table and at idolatrous feasts. The connection concerns shared worship and allegiance; it does not make every detail of this offering a separate prediction about the Lord’s Supper.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.