Peace offering
The peace offering (Hebrew: זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים, romanized: zeḇaḥ šəlāmīm) was one of the sacrifices and offerings in the Hebrew Bible (Leviticus 3; 7.11–34).[1] The term "peace offering" is generally constructed from "slaughter offering" zevah and the plural of shelem (זֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים zevah hashelamiym), but is sometimes found without zevah as shelamim plural alone.[2] The term korban shelamim (קורבן שלמים) is also used in rabbinical writings. In English Bible versions the term is rendered "peace offering" (KJV 1611, JPS 1917), "offering of well-being" (NRSV).
Parallels of offerings with the same semitic root S-L-M also occur in Ugaritic texts.[3] After the Hebrew Bible the term also occurs in the Dead Sea scrolls, for example in the Temple Scroll.[4] In the Septuagint, the term is rendered by two different Greek nouns. First in the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges variations of soterios ("of saving"); in Samuel and Kings variations of eirenikos ("of peace").[5]
Christian views
[edit]Within Reformed theology, the specification of special use of the breast and right shoulder in the peace offering (Leviticus 7:31–34) is often interpreted typologically to signify Christ’s mediatorial strength and tender compassion—His power to save and His priestly intercession on behalf of His people. The breast, associated with affection, and the shoulder, with strength, together portray the fullness of Christ’s redemptive work. As Andrew Bonar notes, “The wave breast speaks of the love of Jesus; the heave shoulder, of His power to bear our burden.”[6]
The inclusion of both unleavened and leavened bread (Leviticus 7:13) is viewed as symbolizing the believer’s dual status—righteous in Christ, yet still indwelt by sin. The unleavened cakes represent the purity imputed to the believer through justification, while the leavened loaves acknowledge the continuing presence of sin being dealt with through ongoing sanctification. John Owen wrote that “the gospel admits no perfection in this life, but a constant warfare between the flesh and the Spirit.”[7]
The command that the thanksgiving offering be eaten the same day (Leviticus 7:15) underscores the immediacy and intimacy of communion with God—that salvation and sanctification are not merely distant hopes but present realities. G. I. Williamson observes that “the peace offering typifies the believer’s fellowship with God through Christ, not in some abstract future, but in the living present.”[8]
That both male and female animals are permitted in the peace offering (Leviticus 3:1) reflects the inclusive scope of covenant fellowship, encompassing all of God’s people. Andrew Bonar notes that “the male signifies authority and headship, pointing to Christ. The female… points to the Church in her dependence and gratitude.”[9] Gordon Wenham adds that in peace offerings, “the inclusion of female animals reflects [the offering’s] openness and celebratory nature.”[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion - Page 556 Adele Berlin, Maxine Grossman - 2011 "PEACE OFFERING (Heb. zevah. shelamim), one of the *sacrifices (Lv. 3; 7.11–34). Its distinctive features were that only the blood and the representative fatty portions of the animal were placed on the altar and the prescribed portions of the ..."
- ^ Strong's Concordance entry for shelem 87 uses
- ^ J. C. de Moor, “The Peace-Offering in Ugarit and Israel,” Schrift en Uitleg. FS W. H. Gispen (Kampen, 1970), 112-17;
- ^ L. H. Schiffman, “Shelamim Sacrifices in the Temple Scroll,” FS Y. Yadin. ErIsr 20 (1989) 176*-83*;
- ^ Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, Volume XV G. Johannes Botterweck, Helmer Ringgren, Heinz-Josef Fabry - 2006- Page 106 "SHELAMIM", p115 "in the Septuagint"
- ^ Bonar, Andrew. A Commentary on Leviticus. Banner of Truth Trust, 1846, p. 123.
- ^ Owen, John. The Mortification of Sin in Believers. The Banner of Truth Trust, 1656 (2004 ed.), p. 54.
- ^ Williamson, G. I. The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes. P&R Publishing, 2004, p. 182.
- ^ Bonar, Andrew. A Commentary on Leviticus. Banner of Truth Trust, 1846, p. 69.
- ^ Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1979, p. 78.
External links
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