And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.
If his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, х zebach (H2077) shªlaamiym (H8002)] - a sacrifice of peace or thanks. The original word "peace" expresses either a state of happiness and prosperity, or of mutual agreement and amity among two or more parties. The offerings spoken of in this chapter are supposed by different writers to have reference to the one or the other of these two significations of the word. "Peace" being used in Scripture to denote prosperity and happiness generally, a peace offering was a voluntary tribute of gratitude for health or other benefits. In this view it was eucharistic, being a token of thanksgiving for benefits already received; or it was sometimes votive, presented in prayer for benefits wished for in future. Whether as thank offerings for the past, or as votive offerings for the future, they were federal sacrifices pointing to the covenant, and their origin dated from the commencement of the Mosaic dispensation. Of the herd. This kind of offering being of a festive character, either male or female, if without blemish, might be used, as both of them were equally good for food; and if the circumstances of the offerer allowed it, it might be a calf.