The Church Fathers on this verse

Leviticus 3:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If he offer a lamb before the Lord:

Douay-Rheims

אִם־כֶּ֥שֶׂב הֽוּא־מַקְרִ֖יב אֶת־קָרְבָּנ֑וֹ וְהִקְרִ֥יב אֹת֖וֹ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

Cyril explains that the same principle applies to both sheep and goats, with a shared sacrificial rite carried out for both. The disparity in the size of these animals serves as a striking symbol of the devotion and honor of the individuals making the offering. The calf represents a bountiful and commendable offering, indicative of exceptional piety, while the sheep signifies a more modest offering. The goat, being smaller, represents an even lesser form of contribution. This aligns with the parable in the Gospel where the fruitful soil yields returns of 'a hundred,' 'sixty,' and 'thirty' (Matt. 13:8, 23). Palladius concurs.

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)

19th centuryChurch Father

When you act with unkindness, you offer a lamb.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.