Have you ever eaten a pigeon?

Review of the end of Exodus and the first few chapters of Leviticus

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

I wasn't paying attention to when Exodus ends and Leviticus begins. Turns out, there's direct continuity as if you're reading the same book, so I'll combine the end of Exodus and the beginning of Leviticus in this post. 

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Exodus 40

For all its fanciness, the tabernacle isn't stationary. Apparently it can be taken down and moved just like a tent circus or carnival. The flying object of cloud and fire determines when the Israelites were to leave a place. The story so far indicates that the Israelites weren't "walking by faith;" in the internal sense; the LORD's presence was visibly made known even if the personal body wasn't seen. 

Leviticus 1

Today I learned that people eat pigeons. Apparently the Isrealites did as well.

Leviticus 2

I looked up "salt covenant" and was reminded that salt used to be far more valuable than it is today. Also, the priests were going to eat the baked sacrifices, so show them a little consideration!

Leviticus 3

The YLT says "sacrifice of peace-offerings" whereas the NRSV says "sacrifice of well-being."

These seem to have at least two different meanings. "Peace offering" suggests reconciliation with another, "well-being" suggests, perhaps, an offering of thanksgiving or an offering to request healing, although it's not clear to me that Israelites ever made such "grant me good health" requests. A brief lookup suggests that this offering was nothing more fellowship and dinner with the priests.

I wonder about the prohibition at the end: "All fat is the Lord’s.It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, in all your settlements: you must not eat any fat or any blood" 

Is this one of those seemingly arbitrary obsessions the LORD has displayed, or if this had to do a good, healthy  diet?

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)