Leviticus 7:23

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 7:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat.
Leviticus 7:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, etc.] Putting them in mind, by repeating to them the laws concerning fat and blood, (<030317>Leviticus 3:17) ye shall eat no manner of fat; of any creature fit for food, whose flesh otherwise may be eaten, and particularly of ox, or of sheep, or of goats: creatures used in sacrifice; though this is not to be restrained to such of them, and the fat of them that were sacrificed, whose fat was claimed by the Lord as his, and was burnt on his altar; but this is to be understood of the fat of these creatures when killed for their common use, for the food of them and their families; the fat even of these was not to be eaten; that which was not separated…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This is emphatically addressed to the people. They were not to eat in their own meal what belonged to the altar of Yahweh, nor what was the perquisite of the priests. See Leviticus 7:33-36. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The general prohibition of eating fat, Lev 3:17, is here explained of those kind of creatures which were sacrificed. The fat of others they might eat. Leviticus 7:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fat: Any other fat they might eat; but the fat of these was sacred, because they were the only animals which were offered in sacrifice, though many others ranked among the clean animals as well as these. This prohibition may, however, be understood of these animals when offered in sacrifice, and then only in reference to the inward fat, described in Lev 7:4. Of the fat in any other circumstances, it cannot be intended, as it was one of the especial blessings which God gave to his people - "Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats," were the provision which he graciously bestowed on his followers. (See note on Deu 32:12-14.) Lev 3:16,…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification