It’s been a while since I last posted, but this contradiction, like the previous ones, is best seen in the larger context of the differences between the Aaronid written text of Leviticus, where only descendants of Aaron are priests, and the Levite written text of Deuteronomy wherein all Levites are deemed priests.
Here there seems to be a difference with respect to the meat portion allotted for the priests. In Leviticus the priest’s portion of the sacrificial animal is the right thigh. But the Deuteronomic text indicates that it is the shoulder, cheeks, and stomach of the animal.
Glad to see you’re updating again!
I’ve got your page set to my home page and I’ve been absolutely fascinated by it. Keep up the good work!
One way to reconcile these texts is Leviticus 7:11 shows the text was referring to peace offerings, while Deuteronomy 18 is referring to offerings in general. Priests probably received thigh, shoulder, stomach and cheek for peace offerings, while a thigh wasn’t given in other instances of animal sacrifices.
As to the confusion about Levites and the priesthood, only Aaron’s descendents were priests, but all Levites served in the Tabernacle in some way, shape or form. (Numbers 3:21-37, 4:4-15, 7:9), so they all received a portion of animal offering for food.
The answer is simple, as mentioned in the Mishnah (Chullin): Consecrated animals (slaughtered at the temple) the Priest gets the thigh & breast. Unconsecrated animals (slaughtered outside the temple) the Priest is due the Cheek, Shoulder and stomach.