And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him that offers it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eats of it shall bear his iniquity.
it shall
Leviticus 10:19 And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD; and such things have befallen me: and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD?
Leviticus 19:7,8 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted…
Leviticus 22:23,25 Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted…
be imputed
Numbers 18:27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.
Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
an abomination
Leviticus 11:10,11,41 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: …
Isaiah 1:11-14 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats…
Isaiah 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
bear
Leviticus 5:17 And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
Leviticus 10:17 Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?
Leviticus 17:16 But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.
it will not be accepted
The rejection of the offering if consumed on the third day highlights the importance of adhering to God's laws. Acceptance by God was contingent upon obedience, and deviation from His commands rendered the offering void. This principle is echoed in other scriptures, such as 1 Samuel 15:22, where obedience is valued over sacrifice. The emphasis is on the heart's posture and the sincerity of worship rather than mere ritualistic compliance.
It will not be credited to the one who presented it
The lack of credit for the offering signifies that the act of worship was incomplete and unacceptable. In the context of ancient Israel, offerings were a means of maintaining a covenant relationship with God. The failure to follow God's instructions meant that the intended purpose of the offering—to bring peace and fellowship with God—was not achieved. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's actions with God's will to receive His blessings.
it shall be an abomination
The term "abomination" indicates something detestable or repulsive to God. In the Hebrew context, this word is often used to describe actions that are morally or ritually impure. The strong language underscores the severity of the offense and the need for reverence in worship. This concept is seen throughout the Old Testament, where certain practices are deemed abominable due to their incompatibility with God's holiness.
and the one who eats of it shall bear his iniquity
Bearing one's iniquity implies personal responsibility for sin. In the sacrificial system, the consequences of disobedience were often immediate and severe. This phrase indicates that the individual who disregards God's command would face the repercussions of their actions. It reflects the broader biblical theme of accountability before God, as seen in passages like Ezekiel 18:20, where each person is responsible for their own sin. This principle points to the need for repentance and the seriousness of maintaining a right relationship with God.
• The peace (fellowship) offering was designed to be eaten on the day it was presented or the following day (Leviticus 7:15-17).
• Eating it on the third day broke God’s explicit timetable, turning a meal of communion into an act of presumption (Leviticus 19:6-7; Exodus 12:10).
• The command also protected worshipers from spoiled meat, underscoring God’s concern for both holiness and health.
• Obedience to God’s details still matters today (John 14:15; 1 Corinthians 10:18-21).
• Worship carried out on our own terms is rejected (Genesis 4:4-5; Isaiah 1:13; Malachi 1:10).
• Acceptance hinges on submission, not on the outward act alone (1 Samuel 15:22; Matthew 15:9).
• A rejected sacrifice brings no covenant benefit; the offerer gains nothing (Hebrews 11:4).
• Righteousness is “credited” by faith-filled obedience (Romans 4:3; Galatians 2:16). Disobedience nullifies the credit.
• God labels the misuse of holy things as detestable (Proverbs 15:8; Deuteronomy 17:1).
• The word signals deep offense against God’s holiness (Ezekiel 8:6).
• Guilt rests squarely on the offender (Leviticus 5:1, 17; Ezekiel 18:20).
• Proper sacrifice transfers sin away; improper sacrifice leaves it on the sinner (Leviticus 1:4).
• Only the flawless offering of Christ finally removes guilt (Hebrews 10:14; John 3:36).
Leviticus 7:18 highlights that God defines how fellowship with Him must be enjoyed. Ignoring His instructions turns worship into sin: it is refused, brings no reward, is detestable, and leaves the offender liable. True communion still demands reverent obedience, fulfilled perfectly for us in the sacrifice of Christ, who alone guarantees our acceptance before God.
(18) And if any of the flesh . . . be eaten.--The owner of the sacrifice was responsible for the due observance of this injunction. If, through his neglect, any one ate of the sacrifice after the limited time here specified, the efficacy of the sacrifice was disannulled, and the offerer had to bring another votive offering.It shall be an abomination.
--That is, the flesh left so long in the Eastern climate begins to putrefy, and becomes loathsome and offensive on the third day; so that which is holy becomes desecrated.And the soul that eateth of it.--Hence he who ate it after the prescribed time was regarded as eating carrion, he bore his guilt, i.e., incurred the penalty of excision.