Leviticus 3:1

“And if his oblation [be] a sacrifice of peace offering, etc.] 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 f74 call the lighter holy things, in distinction from the most holy things, such as the meat offerings were, (<030210>Leviticus 2:10) but as Ainsworth suggests, either because none but holy persons might eat of them, (<030719>Leviticus 7:19,20) 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…”

“THE PEACE OFFERING OF THE HERD. (Lev. 3:1-17) if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering--"Peace" being used in Scripture to denote prosperity and happiness generally, a peace offering was a voluntary tribute of gratitude for health or other benefits. In this view it was eucharistic, being a token of thanksgiving for benefits already received, or it was sometimes votive, presented in prayer for benefits wished for in the future. of the herd--This kind of offering being of a festive character, either male or female, if without blemish, might be used, as both of them were equally good for food, and, if the circumstances of the offerer allowed it, it might be a calf.”

“The peace-offering (like the burnt-offering, Leviticus 1:3, and the Minchah, Leviticus 2:1) is here spoken of as if it was familiarly known before the giving of the Law. “Peace-offering” seems preferable to “thank-offering,” which occurs in several places in the margin of our Bible. “thank-offering” appears to be the right name for a subordinate class of peace-offering. return to 'Top of Page'”

“A peace - offering - This was an offering for peace and prosperity, and the blessing of God, either, obtained, and so it was a thank - offering, or, desired; and so it was a kind of supplication to God. A female - Which were allowed here, tho' not in burnt - offerings, because those principally respected the honour of God, who is to be served with the best; but the peace - offerings did primarily respect the benefit of the offerer, and therefore the choice was left to himself. Burnt - offerings had regard to God, as in himself the best of beings, and therefore were wholly burned. But peace - offerings had regard to God as a benefactor to his creatures, and therefore were divided between the…”

“3:1-17 The peace offering (Hebrew shelem) expressed worship through fellowship with the Lord and with others. The Hebrew word is from the same root as shalom, which speaks of wholeness, well-being, harmony, and peace. Shalom means more than a cessation of hostilities between God and the worshiper; it implies a bond of harmonious fellowship. The peace offering was therefore a shared meal celebrating fellowship with God and others (cp. Exod 18:12; 24:9-11; 1 Sam 9:15-24). It could be presented as an expression of thanks (Lev 7:12-15), as a voluntary offering, or in fulfillment of a vow (7:16-18; 22:21). Peace offerings often followed whole burnt offerings (e.g., 1 Kgs 9:25), showing that…”

“a sacrifice: Lev 7:11-21, Lev 7:29-34, Lev 22:19-21; Exo 20:24, Exo 24:5, Exo 29:28; Num 6:14, Num 7:17; Jdg 20:26, Jdg 21:4; Ch1 21:26; Pro 7:14; Eze 45:15; Amo 5:22; Rom 5:1, Rom 5:2; Col 1:20; Jo1 1:3 without: Lev 1:3; Num 6:14; Mal 1:8, Mal 1:14; Heb 10:22 Leviticus 3:2”

“The Peace-Offerings. - The third kind of sacrifice is called שׁלמים זבח, commonly rendered thank-offering, but more correctly a saving-offering (Heilsopfer: Angl. peace-offering). Besides this fuller form, which is the one most commonly employed in Leviticus, we meet with the abbreviated forms זבחים and שׁלמים: e.g., זבח in Lev 7:16-17; Lev 23:37, more especially in combination with עלה, Lev 17:8 cf. Exo 10:25; Exo 18:12; Num 15:3, Num 15:5; Deu 12:27; Jos 22:27; Sa1 6:15; Sa1 15:22; Kg2 5:17; Kg2 10:24; Isa 56:7; Jer 6:20; Jer 7:21; Jer 17:26, etc., - and שׁלמים in Lev 9:22; Exo 20:24; Exo 32:6; Deu 27:7; Jos 8:31; Jdg 20:26; Jdg 21:4; Sa1 13:9; Sa2 6:17-18; Sa2 24:25; Kg1 3:15, etc. זבח is…”