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H2373 Β· Hebrew Β· Old Testament
Χ—ΦΈΧ–ΦΆΧ”
Chazeh
Noun, masculine
Breast, Chest

Definition

The Hebrew chazeh specifically refers to the breast of a sacrificial animal β€” the portion of the peace offering that was waved before the LORD and then given to the priests. Leviticus 7:30-31 specifies: 'The breast (chazeh) that is waved and the thigh that is presented, you shall eat in a clean place, you and your sons and daughters with you.' The wave offering was a ritual of dedication before God.

Usage & Theological Significance

The chazeh β€” the wave-breast β€” was the priest's portion of the peace offering. In the sacrificial system, the worshiper brought the offering, the fat was burned for the LORD, the right thigh went to the officiating priest, and the breast was waved before God and shared with all Aaron's sons. This distribution embedded hospitality and community into the act of worship. The sacrificial meal was not merely private devotion but a covenantal feast involving God, the priest, and the worshiper's whole household.

Key Bible Verses

Leviticus 7:31 The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons.
Leviticus 10:14 You and your sons and daughters may eat the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented.
Numbers 6:20 The priest shall then wave them before the LORD as a wave offering; they are holy and belong to the priest, together with the breast that was waved.
Exodus 29:27 After you consecrate the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution offering that were presented from the ordination ram of Aaron and his sons.
Leviticus 9:21 Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh before the LORD as a wave offering, as Moses commanded.

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