The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons’ with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.
They must bring the shoulder that was lifted up and the breast that was waved, along with the fat portions offered by fire, to wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. These portions will belong to you and your sons forever, as a permanent law, just as the LORD has commanded.
God is establishing that certain parts of the sacrifices (the shoulder and breast) will permanently belong to the priests and their families as their provision.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of God's instructions to Moses about the priestly portions of peace offerings. The 'heave shoulder' was lifted up as an offering to God, while the 'wave breast' was moved back and forth before the altar. Since the Levitical priests had no land inheritance like the other tribes, God provided for their sustenance through portions of the sacrifices brought by the people.
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