The peace offering could be male or female because it was a voluntary act of worship, not an offering for atonement like the burnt or sin offerings. While other sacrifices had stricter requirements to symbolize the sinless nature of Christ’s substitutionary death, the peace offering focused on fellowship and thanksgiving rather than expiation.
Leviticus 3:1 states:
“When his offering is a sacrifice of a peace offering, if he offers it of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord.”
The essential requirement was that the animal be without blemish, representing purity and sincerity of devotion. Gender was not significant in this context because the peace offering was not a type of Christ’s atonement in the same sense as the burnt or sin offerings, but rather a celebration of restored relationship and gratitude toward God.
This provision shows that God values the heart of worship over rigid uniformity. The peace offering allowed flexibility while still maintaining holiness through the requirement of an unblemished sacrifice.
