Overview
The peace offering (also called fellowship offering) was one of the primary sacrifices under the Mosaic Law. Unlike sin or trespass offerings, peace offerings were voluntary and expressed gratitude, fulfillment of vows, or spontaneous worship. The offering included a valuable animal (cattle, sheep, or goats) whose fat portions were burned to the Lord, while the meat was shared between the priests and the worshiper's household, emphasizing covenant fellowship.
Key Scriptures
"If his offering is a peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord" (Leviticus 3:1, ESV). "When you blow the trumpets, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting" (Numbers 10:10, ESV). "King Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings to the Lord, 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep" (1 Kings 8:62, NASB).
Application
Consider how peace offerings teach us to respond to God's blessings with gratitude and to pursue reconciliation and fellowship with both God and others as worshipers of Christ.
✦ Scripture References 40 references
✦ Topical Scripture Breakdown 86 verses
A male or female of herd or flock
An offering most acceptable
As a thanksgiving-offering
As a votive offering
At all the festivals
At consecration of priests
At coronation of kings
At dedication of tabernacle
At dedication of temple
At expiration of Nazarite's vow
By David after the plague
By David on bringing up the ark
By Israel after their defeat
By Joshua after his victories
By Manasseh on repairing and restoring the altar
By Solomon three times a year
For confirming the legal covenant
For reconciliation
For the people at large
General references
Generally accompanied by a burnt-offering
Had the shoulder and breast as his portion
Heaved the right shoulder as an heave-offering
If a thanksgiving offering to be eaten the day offered
If a votive offering to be eaten the same day or the next
Laid it upon the daily burnt offering to be consumed with it
No unclean person to eat of
Offered the inside fat, &c by fire
Often accompanied by a sin-offering
Prepared
Required to be perfect and free from blemish
Sprinkled the blood on the altar
To be eaten before the Lord
To bring it himself
To give it freely
To kill it at tabernacle door
To lay his hand upon its head
Waved the breast as a wave-offering