They were designated portions for the priests as a perpetual way for God to care for them while they served Him.
But the breast of the wave offering, however, and the thigh of the offering you may eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you; for they have been given as your due and your sons’ due out of the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the sons of Israel. (v.14)
In this verse, the LORD speaks to Aaron and his descendants, granting them the right to eat the breast of the wave offering and the thigh portion that was set aside from the peace offerings of the Israelites. The wave offering was performed by lifting and “waving” these pieces of the sacrifice before the LORD, signifying that this portion ultimately belonged to Him, then the priests, who served as mediators between the people and God, were given these parts as their provision. This commandment to eat in “a clean place” highlights both the holiness required of the priests and their families, as well as the reverence with which they were to handle what God had appointed for them. According to other passages, like Exodus 29, these priestly portions were consecrated for holy use and demonstrated God’s tangible care for those serving in His tabernacle.
Historically, Aaron functioned as the first high priest of Israel during the era following the Exodus from Egypt, commonly dated around 1445 BC. He and his sons were ordained for the priesthood to minister in the tabernacle, offering sacrifices for the people before the LORD. This verse thus emphasizes the priests’ special standing in God’s covenant community, ensuring they received physical sustenance and recognized their dependence on the LORD’s provision. Seen in a broader biblical context, these offerings also foreshadow the spiritual nourishment believers receive from Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice once and for all (Hebrews 9:26). In the same way that the priestly family partook of the sacrificial portions, Christ invites believers into close fellowship with Him through His redeeming work.
The peace offerings themselves symbolized fellowship and thanksgiving, and the fact that a portion was set aside for the priests signified that God provided for those who devoted their lives to His service. By giving them the breast and thigh of the offerings, the LORD affirmed the dignity of the priesthood and underscored that He is the sustainer of those who minister on behalf of His people. This dynamic of dedicating certain parts of a sacrifice to the priests finds frequent echoes throughout Leviticus and Exodus, consistently reminding worshipers that life and blessing flow from God’s gracious hand.
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Leviticus 10:14 meaning
But the breast of the wave offering, however, and the thigh of the offering you may eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you; for they have been given as your due and your sons’ due out of the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the sons of Israel. (v.14)
In this verse, the LORD speaks to Aaron and his descendants, granting them the right to eat the breast of the wave offering and the thigh portion that was set aside from the peace offerings of the Israelites. The wave offering was performed by lifting and “waving” these pieces of the sacrifice before the LORD, signifying that this portion ultimately belonged to Him, then the priests, who served as mediators between the people and God, were given these parts as their provision. This commandment to eat in “a clean place” highlights both the holiness required of the priests and their families, as well as the reverence with which they were to handle what God had appointed for them. According to other passages, like Exodus 29, these priestly portions were consecrated for holy use and demonstrated God’s tangible care for those serving in His tabernacle.
Historically, Aaron functioned as the first high priest of Israel during the era following the Exodus from Egypt, commonly dated around 1445 BC. He and his sons were ordained for the priesthood to minister in the tabernacle, offering sacrifices for the people before the LORD. This verse thus emphasizes the priests’ special standing in God’s covenant community, ensuring they received physical sustenance and recognized their dependence on the LORD’s provision. Seen in a broader biblical context, these offerings also foreshadow the spiritual nourishment believers receive from Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice once and for all (Hebrews 9:26). In the same way that the priestly family partook of the sacrificial portions, Christ invites believers into close fellowship with Him through His redeeming work.
The peace offerings themselves symbolized fellowship and thanksgiving, and the fact that a portion was set aside for the priests signified that God provided for those who devoted their lives to His service. By giving them the breast and thigh of the offerings, the LORD affirmed the dignity of the priesthood and underscored that He is the sustainer of those who minister on behalf of His people. This dynamic of dedicating certain parts of a sacrifice to the priests finds frequent echoes throughout Leviticus and Exodus, consistently reminding worshipers that life and blessing flow from God’s gracious hand.