both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
Parallel translations
- WEB and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away.
- KJV And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
- ESV and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys.
- NKJV the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove;
- NASB and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, which is on the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys.
- NLT the two kidneys and the fat around them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver. These must be removed with the kidneys,
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The kidneys and the fat near them, along with the liver's covering, are removed for God. The specific inner fat portions are reserved for the altar.
Overview
This verse details precisely which internal fat portions belong to God, reflecting the careful, prescribed nature of the offering. These rich inner parts were considered choice and were devoted entirely to the LORD. The exacting detail underscores reverence in worship, where God specifies how He is to be approached and honored, a holiness perfectly satisfied in Christ's flawless self-offering.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Lev 3:10both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
- Lev 4:9both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys—
- Lev 3:15both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys.
- Lev 8:25And Moses took the fat—the fat tail, all the fat that was on the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with their fat—as well as the right thigh.
- Lev 8:16Moses also took all the fat that was on the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys and their fat, and burned it all on the altar.
- Lev 9:10On the altar he burned the fat, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver from the sin offering, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- Exod 29:22Take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh (since this is a ram for ordination),
- Lev 7:4both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys.
- Exod 29:13Take all the fat that covers the entrails and the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar.
- Lev 9:19They also brought the fat portions from the ox and the ram—the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver—
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Christ at the center
Every sacrifice, every priest, and every day of atonement points beyond itself to the one perfect offering and the great High Priest who, by his own blood, makes the unclean holy once for all.
How Leviticus 3:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.