John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 7:23

John Calvin Commentary

Leviticus 7:23

1509–1564
Protestant
John Calvin
John Calvin

John Calvin Commentary

Leviticus 7:23

1509–1564
Protestant
SCRIPTURE

"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat." — Leviticus 7:23 (ASV)

Speak to the children of Israel. Since in all sacrifices the fat was consecrated to God, and was burnt on the altar, God forbade His people to eat fat even in their ordinary meals, in order that they might cultivate piety even in their homes. For unquestionably this was an exercise of piety, that those who were far away from the temple should still accustom themselves in their daily meals to the service of God.

Nor am I ignorant of the allegories289 in which some interpreters indulge, but I willingly acquiesce in the reason which God reveals, namely, that the people was prohibited from eating fat, because He had assigned it to Himself. Nevertheless, the Law permits the fat of a carcass,290 or of an animal torn (by beasts) to be applied to any use, provided they abstain from the fat of those animals which might be legally offered.

289 Vide on on Leviticus 3:16, , ante, p. 334..

290 See Margin, A. V.