John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 3:1

"And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace-offerings; if he offer of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before Jehovah." — Leviticus 3:1 (ASV)

And if his offering is a sacrifice. He now proceeds to a different class, namely, the sacrifices, which were testimonies of gratitude in celebration of God’s blessings. Part of these was burnt with fire, part was claimed by the priests, and the rest remained for those who offered them.

Regarding the word שלמים, shelomim, I have briefly given my opinion elsewhere.²⁵³ The common translation of it, “the sacrifices of peace-offerings,” is certainly unsuitable. The statement of others is also far-fetched, that they are called “sacrifices of perfections” because it was unlawful for the unclean to touch them.

However, since the Hebrews include safety and all good success in the word “peace,” I have thought that its plural form might fittingly be translated “prosperities.” For this reason, David calls the libation which used to be made in this sacrifice, the cup of salvations (Psalms 116:13): nor do I doubt that by this outward sign he signifies thanksgiving.

I admit, indeed, that this sacrifice was not only offered in acknowledgment of gratitude, but also when they sought peace and good success from God. Yet, the description “prosperities” will always admirably suit it, because by this sacrifice they confessed that God was the author of all good things, thereby attributing all their prosperity to Him.

First, however, he commands all the sacrifices to be brought to the tabernacle, which is what he means by “the face of God.”²⁵⁴ Otherwise, altars would have been erected everywhere in their cities and villages. Through this license, God’s service would have been mangled, and religion undermined.

Therefore, to keep the people in the unity of the faith, he instructs them all to be content with a single altar. God would be worshipped and honored in that place which He had dedicated to Himself, lest they should stray after foreign gods. Then He prescribes the method of offering, whether the victim was from the herd or the flock.

That such exact commands should be given concerning minor details might seem to be an unnecessary attention to detail, and even a superfluous repetition, since the same thing is often impressed upon them in precisely similar words. This would be so, were it not that this earnestness reminded the people that something higher was contained in the ceremonies, while it also restrained them from carelessly allowing themselves to add or change the smallest point.

This very meticulous observance, then, ought to have led them by the hand, as it were, to the things signified, so that under the external image the spiritual truth might meet their eyes. Secondly, it ought to have held them bound, as it were, to the word of God, lest they should act in sacred matters according to their own reasoning.

But now, since the use of sacrifices has ceased, we are taught the following:

1. first, that God’s blessings are profaned unless we diligently practice manifesting our religion, as His infinite and constant generosity towards us deserves;
2. secondly, that unless our devotion is pure and paid to Him alone, we impiously rob Him of what is due to Him;
3. thirdly, that as we pray in Christ’s name, so our vows are to be paid, and our thanksgivings to be offered, through His hand;
4. and fourthly, that God’s loving-kindness is not to be celebrated in a negligent or superficial manner, but that we must strive to do so, as in a matter of the utmost importance, with uncommon zeal and attention.

²⁵³ Vide supra, p. 149, and , and note..

²⁵⁴ A.V., “before the Lord." “before the Lord."