Leviticus – Chapter 7

Old Testament38 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 7 of Leviticus begins: "This also is the law of the sacrifice for a trespass: it is most holy." The chapter centers on Aaron and Moses. Across its 38 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and God feeding His people. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1This also is the law of the sacrifice for a trespass: it is most holy.

2Therefore where the holocaust is immolated, the victim also for a trespass shall be slain: the blood thereof shall be poured round about the altar.

3They shall offer thereof the rump and the fat that covereth the entrails:

4The two little kidneys, and the fat which is by the flanks, and the caul of the liver with the little kidneys.

5And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the burnt sacrifice of the Lord for a trespass.

6Every male of the priestly race, shall eat this flesh in a holy place, because it is most holy.

7As the sacrifice for sin is offered, so is also that for a trespass: the same shall be the law of both these sacrifices. It shall belong to the priest that offereth it.

8The priest that offereth the victim of holocaust, shall have the skin thereof.

9And every sacrifice of flour that is baked in the oven, and whatsoever is dressed on the gridiron, or in the fryingpan, shall be the priest's that offereth it.

10Whether they be tempered with oil, or dry, all the sons of Aaron shall have one as much as another.

11This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that is offered to the Lord.

12If the oblation be for thanksgiving, they shall offer loaves without leaven tempered with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and fine flour fried, and cakes tempered and mingled with oil.

13Moreover loaves of leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanks, which is offered for peace offerings:

14Of which one shall be offered to the Lord for firstfruits, and shall be the priest's that shall pour out the blood of the victim.

15And the flesh of it shall be eaten the same day: neither shall any of it remain until the morning.

16If any man by vow, or of his own accord offer a sacrifice, it shall in like manner be eaten the same day. And if any of it remain until the morrow, it is lawful to eat it.

17But whatsoever shall be found on the third day shall be consumed with fire.

18If any man eat of the flesh of the victim of peace offerings on the third day, the oblation shall be of no effect: neither shall it profit the offerer. Yea rather, whatsoever soul shall defile itself with such meat, shall be guilty of transgression.

19The flesh that hath touched any unclean thing, shall not be eaten: but shall be burnt with fire. He that is clean shall eat of it.

20If any one that is defiled shall eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which is offered to the Lord, he shall be cut off from his people.

21And he that hath touched the uncleanness of man, or of beast, or of any thing that can defile, and shall eat of such kind of flesh: shall be cut off from his people.

22And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

23Say to the children of Israel: The fat of a sheep, and of an ox, and of a goat you shall not eat.

24The fat of a carcass that hath died of itself, and of a beast that was caught by another beast, you shall have for divers uses.

25If any man eat the fat that should be offered for the burnt sacrifice of the Lord, he shall perish out of his people.

26Moreover you shall not eat the blood of any creature whatsoever, whether of birds or beasts.

27Every one that eateth blood, shall perish from among the people.

28And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

29Speak to the children of Israel, saying: He that offereth a victim of peace offerings to the Lord, let him offer therewith a sacrifice also, that is, the libations thereof.

30He shall hold in his hands the fat of the victim, and the breast. And when he hath offered and consecrated both to the Lord, he shall deliver them to the priest,

31Who shall burn the fat upon the altar. But the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.

32The right shoulder also of the victim, of peace offerings shall fall to the priest for firstfruits.

33He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood, and the fat: he shall have the right shoulder also for his portion.

34For the breast that is elevated and the shoulder that is separated I have taken of the children of Israel, from off their victims of peace offerings: and have given them to Aaron the priest, and to his sons, by a law for ever, from all the people of Israel.

35This is the anointing of Aaron and his sons, in the ceremonies of the Lord, in the day when Moses offered them, that they might do the office of priesthood,

36And the things that the Lord commanded to be given them by the children of Israel, by a perpetual observance in their generations.

37This is the law of holocaust, and of the sacrifice for sin, and for trespass, and for consecration, and the victims of peace offerings:

38Which the Lord appointed to Moses in mount Sinai, when he commanded the children of Israel, that they should offer their oblations to the Lord in the desert of Sinai.

Important Verses in Leviticus 7

This also is the law of the sacrifice for a trespass: it is most holy.

Leviticus 7:1

This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that is offered to the Lord.

Leviticus 7:11

If any one that is defiled shall eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which is offered to the Lord, he shall be cut off from his people.

Leviticus 7:20

Speak to the children of Israel, saying: He that offereth a victim of peace offerings to the Lord, let him offer therewith a sacrifice also, that is, the libations thereof.

Leviticus 7:29

Historical Context

Leviticus addresses the priests (sons of Aaron) and the whole assembly of Israel within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 7 of 27 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 38 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Aaron and Moses appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "This also is the law of the sacrifice for a trespass: it is most holy." The final verse reads: "Which the Lord appointed to Moses in mount Sinai, when he commanded the children of Israel, that they should offer…" In terms of historical background, Leviticus is the liturgical handbook of ancient Israel, given at Sinai to teach a newly freed people how to worship a holy God. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood

When It Was Written

Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Leviticus 7 presents a concrete episode in the history of holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "This also is the law of the sacrifice for a trespass: it is most holy." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1814). Here, Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize worship and praise as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Leviticus 7 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Aaron5 mentionsMoses4 mentions

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Leviticus Chapter 7 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Leviticus Chapter 7. At the moral level, evangelization and missionary discipleship challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 958).

As you continue through Leviticus, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leviticus Chapter 7 about?

Leviticus 7 contains 38 verses. It opens with "This also is the law of the sacrifice for a trespass: it is most holy." and closes with "Which the Lord appointed to Moses in mount Sinai, when he commanded the children of Israel, that they should offer…". The book as a whole is law and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Leviticus 7?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "This also is the law of the sacrifice for a trespass: it is most holy." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Leviticus Chapter 7?

This chapter mentions Aaron, Moses.

Who wrote Leviticus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood. Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles