Leviticus 7:31
“The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.”
What does Leviticus 7:31 mean?
In the system of offerings described in Leviticus, different parts of the sacrifice went to different people. The fat was considered the richest, most valuable part and was burned on the altar as an offering to God, while the breast was given to the priests as their share of the meal. This arrangement meant the priests were literally sustained by the offerings brought by the community, connecting their role as spiritual leaders directly to the people's worship. It's a practical reminder that those who serve in spiritual capacity were meant to be cared for by those they served.