The Hebrew word for “peace offerings” in Leviticus chapter 3 is שלמים (shlem•eem), and I find that fascinating, though not surprising. I know very little Hebrew, but I have an understanding of a few things about the language that have proved to be very beneficial in helping me better solidify gospel concepts and principles in my head.
Hebrew is read right-to-left. The ״ים״ in ״שלמים״ is a suffix, and it is used when pluralizing masculine words. If you remove that suffix, you are left with ״ש-ל-מ״. The ש makes an “sh” sound, the ל makes an “l” sound, and the מ makes an “m” sound. These are the same letters that form the consonant root of “shalom,״ which means “peace.” You’ve probably heard “shalom” before. “Shalom” is a common salutation in Hebrew. Israelis use it kind of like Americans use “hello” or “goodbye,” so it’s a word that might be familiar to you, even if you know nothing else about Hebrew.
Conceptually, ש-ל-מ has to do with transactions between two parties. Along those lines, the infinitive verb ״לשלם״ means “to pay, to recompense, or to render.” The “peace” that an individual extends to someone when saying “shalom” implies conciliation, where neither party bears any reproach—agreement, where any antagonism might otherwise be encountered. Consequently, you can say “shalom” when there is a pre-existing state of peace, but it can also be said when making an offering that would bring about a state of reconciliation where one does not presently exist. If there is any degree of enmity between two parties approaching each other, “shalom” pre-supposes that both individuals bring to the table what would constitute an offering appropriate for a complete and total reconciliation.
This would have (or, at least, should have) been easily understood by the ancient Israelites who spoke Hebrew. They were being taught what offering was considered acceptable in establishing peace between God and man. It was (and is) the same offering that has been required since Adam fell and was cast out of the Garden of Eden. He was the first to make that offering, and Moses gave the Israelites the opportunity to make it, too, but they did not, and so Moses was instructed to give them the analogue within the Law found in Leviticus 3.
Decoding Leviticus 3, then, becomes extremely important to anyone who desires true reconciliation to God.