| Geneva Study Bible And if his oblation be a sacrifice of {a} peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD. (a) A sacrifice of thanksgiving offered for peace and prosperity, either generally or particularly. Wesley's Notes 3:1 A peace - offering - This was an offering for peace and prosperity, and the blessing of God, either, obtained, and so it was a thank - offering, or, desired; and so it was a kind of supplication to God. A female - Which were allowed here, tho' not in burnt - offerings, because those principally respected the honour of God, who is to be served with the best; but the peace - offerings did primarily respect the benefit of the offerer, and therefore the choice was left to himself. Burnt - offerings had regard to God, as in himself the best of beings, and therefore were wholly burned. But peace - offerings had regard to God as a benefactor to his creatures, and therefore were divided between the altar, the priest, and the offerer. Scofield Reference Notes [4] peace-offering The peace-offering. The whole work of Christ in relation to the believer's peace is here in type. He made peace, Col 1:20 proclaimed peace, Eph 2:17 and is our peace, Eph 2:14. In Christ God and the sinner meet in peace; God is propitiated, the sinner reconciled--both alike satisfied with what Christ has done. But all this at the cost of blood and fire. The details speak of fellowship. This brings in prominently the thought of fellowship with God through Christ. Hence the peace-offering is set forth as affording food for the priests Lev 7:31-34. Observe that it is the breast (affections) and shoulders (strength) upon which we as priests 1Pet 2:9 feed in fellowship with the Father. This it is which makes the peace-offering especially a thank-offering. Lev 7:11,12. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary CHAPTER 3 Le 3:1-17. The Peace Offering of the Herd. 1. if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering-"Peace" being used in Scripture to denote prosperity and happiness generally, a peace offering was a voluntary tribute of gratitude for health or other benefits. In this view it was eucharistic, being a token of thanksgiving for benefits already received, or it was sometimes votive, presented in prayer for benefits wished for in the future. of the herd-This kind of offering being of a festive character, either male or female, if without blemish, might be used, as both of them were equally good for food, and, if the circumstances of the offerer allowed it, it might be a calf. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 3:1-5 The peace-offerings had regard to God as the giver of all good things. These were divided between the altar, the priest, and the owner. They were called peace-offering, because in them God and his people did, as it were, feast together, in token of friendship. The peace-offerings were offered by way of supplication. If a man were in pursuit of any mercy, he would add a peace-offering to his prayer for it. Christ is our Peace, our Peace-offering; for through him alone it is that we can obtain an answer of peace to our prayers. Or, the peace-offering was offered by way of thanksgiving for some mercy received. We must offer to God the sacrifice of praise continually, by Christ our Peace; and then this shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock. | 
