Exodus 29:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What does the phrase mean, “In the stench of fragrance, an offering is to the Lord”? Through earthly examples, He conveys heavenly truths. Just as we find pleasure in incense, He refers to the sacred rituals observed according to divine law as a pleasing aroma. We are reminded not to fixate narrowly on a single letter, as indicated by the essence of God (for God is without physical form) and by the foul odor of the burnt bones. What could be more odious than that? However, some interpreters have chosen to translate this as "the stench of goodwill" rather than the stench of fragrance.

The portions designated for the priests who presented offerings were as follows: 1) In the case of the burnt offering, only the skin was designated for the priest, as the entire offering was consumed by fire (Lev. 7:8; 2:8). 2) From the peace offering, the breast and the right shoulder were for the priest (Lev. 7:31-32). 3) Regarding the sin offering, all the flesh was allotted to the priests, with the stipulation that it could only be consumed within the tabernacle (Lev. 6:26); it is referred to in Leviticus as ‘the great sanctuary’ (Lev. 6:30). During the consecration of Aaron and his sons, the sin offering for the priests was to be burned outside the camp; the sinners themselves were prohibited from consuming it.