Peace offerings are first mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 20:24. On that occasion, a peace offering was presented at the ratification of the covenant at Mount Sinai. As such, they are most often used in the context of a covenant ceremony (see Deuteronomy 27:7). The word peace (šělěm) has a broad range of meaning. It has been translated as fellowship offering (NIV), fellowship sacrifice (CSB), and peace offering (ESV, NKJV). Based on the covenant context of the offering, we can affirm that the peace offering was a holy meal, eaten in the presence of God in celebration of various benefits received from the Lord. One commentator suggests, In offering this sacrifice the worshipper demonstrated his complete fidelity to the Lord of the covenant (Wenhem p.77). This sacrifice, then, was an expression and celebration of being at peace with the Lord.