Definition: And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’ by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it [is] an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, [even] their heave offering unto the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 29:28. It’s a really important passage about how God establishes rules and rituals for the Israelites. Here's a simplified explanation: Basically, it says: God decided that Aaron and his sons (specifically, the descendants of Moses) would be responsible for establishing a specific way to offer sacrifices to the LORD God. This wasn’t just a random act; it was designed to be a consistent and significant practice. Let's unpack the details: “And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons by a statute for ever from the children of Israel…” This means that this tradition would always exist, forever and always, within the Israelites. It was set in stone. “…for it [is] an heave offering:…” This is where it gets interesting. "Heave offering" is a really powerful word. It suggests a large, substantial amount of food or animals being offered. Think of it as a massive outpouring of gratitude and devotion to God. “from the children of Israel…” This refers specifically to the people who were following Moses – the Israelites. “…of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, [even] their heave offering unto the LORD.” This is the key part. The heave offering was a specific ritual involving: Sacrifice: They were offering a sacrifice (a gift) to God. Peace Offerings: These were gifts given to God as a sign of peace and reverence. “unto the LORD”: This is crucial – the entire offering was dedicated to God. So, what was this “heave offering” about? It’s generally believed that this ritual served several purposes: Demonstrating Obedience: It showed the Israelites they were willing to follow God's laws and traditions. Expressing Gratitude: It was a way for them to show their gratitude for God's blessings. Maintaining a Covenant: This practice helped solidify the covenant (agreement) between God and the Israelites, making it clear that their relationship with him would be based on these rituals. In short, this verse establishes a deeply significant tradition – a constant offering of food and animals to God through a specific ritual – as a cornerstone of Israelite worship. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Compare this tradition to other religious practices? Discuss its significance within the Old Testament story?