Bible Thesaurus: Gift

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Thesaurus

Gift (148 Occurrences)
... 34:12). (2.) An oblation or proppitatory gift (2 Samuel 8:2, 6; 1 Chronicles
18:2, 6; 2 Chronicles 26:8; Psalm 45:12; 72:10). (3 ...
/g/gift.htm - 59k

Dedication-gift (3 Occurrences)
Dedication-gift. Dedication, Dedication-gift. Dedication-offering .
Multi-Version Concordance Dedication-gift (3 Occurrences). ...
/d/dedication-gift.htm - 7k

Present (577 Occurrences)
... 12. (v.) To make a gift of; to bestow; to give, generally in a formal or ceremonious
manner; to grant; to confer. 13. ... PRESENT. prez'-ent. See GIFT. ...
/p/present.htm - 38k

Bestowed (43 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 5:15 But God's free gift immeasurably outweighs the transgression.
For if through the transgression of the one individual ...
/b/bestowed.htm - 19k

Individual (12 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 5:15 But God's free gift immeasurably outweighs the transgression.
For if through the transgression of the one individual ...
/i/individual.htm - 11k

Transgression (70 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Romans 5:15 But God's free gift immeasurably
outweighs the transgression. For if through the transgression ...
/t/transgression.htm - 29k

Bribe (27 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary None to be taken; "for the gift maketh open eyes blind,
and perverteth the cause of the righteous" (Exodus 23:8, literally rendered). ...
/b/bribe.htm - 15k

Trespass (101 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Romans 5:15 But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if
by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did ...
/t/trespass.htm - 44k

Offer (403 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:23 "If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember
that your brother has anything against you, (Root in WEB WEY ASV BBE DBY ...
/o/offer.htm - 39k

Offense (44 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Romans 5:15 But not as the offense, so also is the free gift.
For if through the offense of one many are dead, much more ...
/o/offense.htm - 18k

Bible Concordance

Gift (148 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:23 "If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Matthew 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Matthew 8:4 Jesus said to him, "See that you tell nobody, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Matthew 15:5 But you say,'Whoever may tell his father or his mother, "Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God,"
(WEB KJV DBY WBS NIV)

Matthew 23:18 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?'
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Matthew 23:19 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Mark 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT NIV)

Luke 7:21 He immediately cured many of diseases, severe pain, and evil spirits, and to many who were blind He gave the gift of sight.
(WEY)

Luke 12:23 For life is a greater gift than food, and the body is a greater gift than clothing.
(WEY)

Luke 24:49 And remember that I am about to send out my Father's promised gift to rest upon you. But, as for you, wait patiently in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
(WEY)

John 4:10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you,'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 6:27 Bestow your pains not on the food which perishes, but on the food that remains unto the Life of the Ages--that food which will be the Son of Man's gift to you; for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal."
(WEY)

John 17:24 "Father, those whom Thou hast given me--I desire that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see the glory--my glory--my gift from Thee, which Thou hast given me because Thou didst love me before the creation of the world.
(WEY)

Acts 1:4 And while in their company He charged them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father's promised gift. "This you have heard of," He said, "from me.
(WEY NIV)

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 8:20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 10:45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 11:17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 11:30 which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
(See NIV)

Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 3:24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
(See NAS RSV)

Romans 4:4 Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as debt.
(See RSV NIV)

Romans 5:15 But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 5:16 The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 5:17 For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
(KJV ASV WBS)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 11:35 "Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?"
(See RSV)

Romans 12:6 Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 12:7 if it is the gift of administration, let the administrator exercise a sound judgement in his duties.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 1:7 so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
(See RSV)

1 Corinthians 7:7 Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:10 to another the exercise of miraculous powers; to another the gift of prophecy; to another the power of discriminating between prophetic utterances; to another varieties of the gift of 'tongues;' to another the interpretation of tongues.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 12:28 God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 14:13 Therefore let a man who has the gift of tongues pray for the power of interpreting them.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 14:22 This shows that the gift of tongues is intended as a sign not to those who believe but to unbelievers, but prophecy is intended not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 14:28 or if there is no interpreter, let the man with the gift be silent in the Church, speaking to himself and to God.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 14:32 and the spiritual gift of prophets to prophets are subject,
(YLT)

1 Corinthians 16:3 When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.
(WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 1:11 you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed on us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
(KJV WBS)

2 Corinthians 8:12 For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not.
(WEY NIV)

2 Corinthians 8:19 And more than that, he is the one who was chosen by the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory and gratify our own strong desire.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 8:20 We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
(WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:8 But God is able to make every gracious gift abound towards you, that, having in every way always all-sufficiency, ye may abound to every good work:
(DBY)

2 Corinthians 9:12 For the service rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people, but it is also rich in its results and awakens a chorus of thanksgiving to God.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 9:15 Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 2:8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 3:7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.
(See NAS)

Philippians 4:17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 3:2 A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable to strangers, and with a gift for teaching;
(WEY)

1 Timothy 4:14 Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Timothy 1:6 For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 6:4 For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Peter 3:7 Married men, in the same way, live with your wives with a clear recognition of the fact that they are weaker than you. Yet, since you are heirs with them of God's free gift of Life, treat them with honour; so that your prayers may not be hindered.
(WEY NIV)

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.
(See NIV)

Genesis 30:20 Leah said, "God has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons." She named him Zebulun.
(See NAS NIV)

Genesis 32:13 And he lodged there that night; and took of what came to his hand a gift for Esau his brother --
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 32:18 then thou shalt say, Thy servant Jacob's: it is a gift sent to my lord, to Esau. And behold, he also is behind us.
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 32:20 And, moreover, ye shall say, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will propitiate him with the gift that goes before me, and afterwards I will see his face: perhaps he will accept me.
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 32:21 And the gift went over before him; and he himself lodged that night in the camp.
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 33:10 And Jacob said, No, I pray thee; if now I have found favour in thine eyes, then receive my gift from my hand; for therefore have I seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou hast received me with pleasure.
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 33:11 Please take the gift that I brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." He urged him, and he took it.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Genesis 34:12 Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 43:11 And their father Israel said to them, If it is then so, do this: take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a gift: a little balsam and a little honey, tragacanth and ladanum, pistacia-nuts and almonds.
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 43:15 And the men took that gift, and took double money in their hand, and Benjamin, and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and came before Joseph.
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 43:25 And they made ready the gift for Joseph's coming at noon; for they had heard that they should eat bread there.
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 43:26 When Joseph came home, they brought him the gift that was in their hand, into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 43:34 and he lifteth up gifts from before him unto them, and the gift of Benjamin is five hands more than the gifts of all of them; and they drink, yea, they drink abundantly with him.
(Root in YLT)

Exodus 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
(KJV JPS WBS)

Leviticus 1:10 "'If his offering is from the flock, from the sheep, or from the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer a male without blemish.
(See RSV)

Leviticus 7:14 And of it he shall offer one out of each oblation for a heave-offering unto Jehovah; it shall be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood of the peace-offerings.
(See JPS)

Leviticus 17:4 and hasn't brought it to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to offer it as an offering to Yahweh before the tabernacle of Yahweh: blood shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people.
(See RSV)

Leviticus 22:10 "'No stranger shall eat of the holy thing: a foreigner living with the priests, or a hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.
(See NAS)

Leviticus 22:14 "'If a man eats something holy unwittingly, then he shall add the fifth part of its value to it, and shall give the holy thing to the priest.
(See NAS)

Leviticus 22:18 "Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them,'Whoever is of the house of Israel, or of the foreigners in Israel, who offers his offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their freewill offerings, which they offer to Yahweh for a burnt offering;
(See NIV)

Numbers 8:19 I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the Tent of Meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel; that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come near to the sanctuary."
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 8:21 And the Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes: and Aaron offered them for a wave-offering before Jehovah; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them.
(See JPS)

Numbers 15:19 then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up a heave-offering unto Jehovah.
(See JPS)

Numbers 15:20 Of the first of your dough ye shall offer up a cake for a heave-offering: as the heave-offering of the threshing-floor, so shall ye heave it.
(See JPS)

Numbers 15:21 Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto Jehovah a heave-offering throughout your generations.
(See JPS)

Numbers 18:6 I, behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are a gift, given to Yahweh, to do the service of the Tent of Meeting.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 18:7 You and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil; and you shall serve: I give you the priesthood as a service of gift: and the stranger who comes near shall be put to death."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Numbers 18:11 "This is yours, too: the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel. I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 18:24 For the tithe of the children of Israel, which they offer as a heave-offering unto Jehovah, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
(See JPS)

Numbers 18:26 Moreover thou shalt speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up a heave-offering of it for Jehovah, a tithe of the tithe.
(See JPS)

Numbers 18:27 And your heave-offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the grain of the threshing-floor, and as the fulness of the winepress.
(See JPS)

Numbers 18:28 Thus ye also shall offer a heave-offering unto Jehovah of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and thereof ye shall give Jehovah's heave-offering to Aaron the priest.
(See JPS)

Numbers 31:52 And all the gold of the heave-offering that they offered up to Jehovah, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.
(See JPS NIV)

Deuteronomy 16:17 each according to the gift of his hand, according to the blessing of Jehovah thy God, which He hath given to thee.
(YLT NIV)

Deuteronomy 16:19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
(KJV JPS WBS)

Deuteronomy 23:18 thou dost not bring a gift of a whore, or a price of a dog, into the house of Jehovah thy God, for any vow; for the abomination of Jehovah thy God 'are' even both of them.
(YLT)

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Gift

The giving and receiving of presents has in all ages been not only a more frequent but also a more formal and significant proceeding in the East than among ourselves. We cannot adduce a more remarkable proof of the important part which presents play in the social life of the East than the fact that the Hebrew language possesses no less than fifteen different expressions for the one idea. The mode of presentation was with as much parade as possible. The refusal of a present was regarded us a high indignity. No less an insult was it not to bring a present when the position of the parties demanded it. (1 Samuel 10:27)

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) An gratuity (Proverbs 19:6) to secure favour (18:16; 21:14), a thank-offering (Numbers 18:11), or a dowry (Genesis 34:12).

(2.) An oblation or proppitatory gift (2 Samuel 8:2, 6; 1 Chronicles 18:2, 6; 2 Chronicles 26:8; Psalm 45:12; 72:10).

(3.) A bribe to a judge to obtain a favourable verdict (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19).

(4.) Simply a thing given (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 4:8); sacrifical (Matthew 5:23, 24; 8:4); eleemosynary (Luke 21:1); a gratuity (John 4:10; Acts 8:20). In Acts 2:38 the generic word dorea is rendered "gift." It differs from the charisma (1 Corinthians 12:4) as denoting not miraculous powers but the working of a new spirit in men, and that spirit from God.

The giving of presents entered largely into the affairs of common life in the East. The nature of the presents was as various as were the occasions: food (1 Samuel 9:7; 16:20), sheep and cattle (Genesis 32:13-15), gold (2 Samuel 18:11), jewels (Genesis 24:53), furniture, and vessels for eating and drinking (2 Samuel 17:28); delicacies, as spices, honey, etc. (1 Kings 10:25; 2 Kings 5:22). The mode of presentation was with as much parade as possible: the presents were conveyed by the hands of servants (Judges 3:18), or still better, on the backs of beasts of burden (2 Kings 8:9). The refusal of a present was regarded as a high indignity; and this constituted the aggravated insult noticed in Matthew 22:11, the marriage robe having been offered and refused.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. t.) Anything given; anything voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation; a present; an offering.

2. (n.) The act, right, or power of giving or bestowing; as, the office is in the gift of the President.

3. (n.) A bribe; anything given to corrupt.

4. (v. t.) Some quality or endowment given to man by God; a preeminent and special talent or aptitude; power; faculty; as, the gift of wit; a gift for speaking.

5. (n.) A voluntary transfer of real or personal property, without any consideration. It can be perfected only by deed, or in case of personal property, by an actual delivery of possession.

6. (v. t.) To endow with some power or faculty.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

GIFT

gift (mattanah, minchah, shochadh; doron, dorea, chairisma): In Genesis 25:6 Exodus 28:38 Numbers 18:6, 7, 29 Ezekiel 20:26, etc., mattanah, "a gift," is so rendered; minchah, an offering or present, used especially of the "meat offerings," is translated "gift" (2 Samuel 8:2, 6 the King James Version; 2 Chronicles 26:8), in which passages "tribute" is meant, as the Revised Version (British and American); 32:23:00; Psalm 45:12. A few other words occur singly, e.g. 'eshkar, "a reward" (Psalm 72:10); mas'eth, "lifting up" (Esther 2:18); nathun is translated "gifts" (Numbers 8:19; the Revised Version, margin "Hebrew nethunim, given"); nedheh, nadhan, "impure gifts" (Ezekiel 16:33); nisse'th, "a thing lifted up" (2 Samuel 19:42); shochadh means "a bribe" (Exodus 23:8 Deuteronomy 16:19 2 Chronicles 19:7 Proverbs 6:35; Proverbs 17:8, 23 Isaiah 1:23 Ezekiel 22:12); in each instance the American Standard Revised Version has "bribe" except Proverbs 6:35, "gifts"; teramah, "a present" (Proverbs 29:4), may also mean a bribe, the King James Version "he that receiveth gifts," the Revised Version (British and American) "he that exacteth gifts," margin "imposeth tribute, Hebrew a man of offerings."

In the New Testament doron, "a present," "gift" (from didomi, "to give"), is translated "gift" (Matthew 2:11; Matthew 5:23, 14 bis; Mark 7:11 the King James Version; Hebrews 5:1 Revelation 11:10, etc., referring chiefly to gifts or offerings to God); dorea, "a free gift" (John 4:10 Acts 2:38 Romans 5:15, 17 2 Corinthians 9:15 Hebrews 6:4, etc., referring to the gifts of God); dorema, "a free gift" (Romans 5:16 James 1:17, the English Revised Version "boon"); dosis, "giving" (James 1:17, "every good gift," the Revised Version, margin "giving"); charisma, "grace," "favor," a benefit or good conferred, is also used of Divine gifts and favors, especially of the supernatural gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit (charismata) enumerated in Romans 12 1 Corinthians 12; the word occurs translated "gift, gifts" (Romans 1:11), "some spiritual gift" (Romans 5:15, 16, "free gift"; Romans 6:23, "The gift of God is eternal life," the Revised Version (British and American) "free gift"; 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 7:7 2 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Timothy 4:14 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10); charis, "grace," "favor" (2 Corinthians 8:4, the Revised Version (British and American) "grace"); merismos, "distribution," "parting" (Hebrews 2:4, the Revised Version, margin "distributions"); anathema, "a thing devoted to God," is once (Luke 21:5) used of "the goodly gifts" (the Revised Version (British and American) "offerings") which adorned the Temple at Jerusalem.

In the Revised Version (British and American) "gift" is substituted in the text of Genesis 33:11 for blessing, margin Hebrew "blessing"; "boasteth himself of his gifts falsely" (Proverbs 25:14) for "boasteth himself of a false gift," margin Hebrew "in a gift of falsehood"; "a parting gift" for "presents" (Micah 1:14); "Given to God" for "a gift" (Mark 7:11).

W. L. Walker

MIRACLES, GIFT OF

See SPIRITUAL GIFTS; MIRACLE.

TONGUES, GIFT OF

1. Basic Character of 1 Corinthians 14:

A spiritual gift mentioned in Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:15; Acts 19:6 Mark 16:17, and described in Acts 2:1-13 and at length in 1 Corinthians 12-14, especially chapter 14. In fact, 1 Corinthians 14 contains such a full and clear account that this passage is basic. The speaker in a tongue addressed God (14:2, 28) in prayer (14:14), principally in the prayer of thanksgiving (14:15-17). The words so uttered were incomprehensible to the congregation (14:2, 5, 9, etc.), and even to the speaker himself (14:14). Edification, indeed, was gained by the speaker (14:4), but this was the edification of emotional experience only (14:14). The words were spoken "in the spirit" (14:2); i.e. the ordinary faculties were suspended and the divine, specifically Christian, element in the man took control, so that a condition of ecstasy was produced. This immediate (mystical) contact with the divine enabled the utterance of "mysteries" (14:2)-things hidden from the ordinary human understanding (see MYSTERY). In order to make the utterances comprehensible to the congregation, the services of an "interpreter" were needed. Such a man was one who had received from God a special gift as extraordinary as the gifts of miracles, healings, or the tongues themselves (12:10, 30); i.e. the ability to interpret did not rest at all on natural knowledge, and acquisition of it might be given in answer to prayer (14:13). Those who had this gift were known, and Paul allowed the public exercise of "tongues" only when one of the interpreters was present (14:28). As the presence of an interpreter was determined before anyone spoke, and as there was to be only one interpreter for the "two or three" speakers (14:28), any interpreter must have been competent to explain any tongue. But different interpreters did not always agree (14:26), whence the limitation to one.

2. Foreign Languages Barred Out:

These characteristics of an interpreter make it clear that "speaking in a tongue" at Corinth was not normally felt to be speaking in a foreign language. In 1 Corinthians 14:10 English Versions of the Bible are misleading with "there are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world," which suggests that Paul is referring directly to the tongues. But tosauta there should be rendered "very many," "ever so many," and the verse is as purely illustrative as is 14:7. Hence, foreign languages are to be barred out. (Still, this need not mean that foreign phrases may not occasionally have been employed by the speakers, or that at times individuals may not have made elaborate use of foreign languages. But such cases were not normative at Corinth.) Consequently, if "tongues" means "languages," entirely new languages must be thought of. Such might have been of many kinds (12:28), have been regarded as a fit creation for the conveyance of new truths, and may even at times have been thought to be celestial languages-the "tongues of angels" (13:1). On the other hand, the word for "tongue" (glossa) is of fairly common use in Greek to designate obsolete or incomprehensible words, and, specifically, for the obscure phrases uttered by an oracle. This use is closely parallel to the use in Corinth and may be its source, although then it would be more natural if the "ten thousand words in a tongue" of 14:19 had read "ten thousand glossai." In no case, however, can "tongue" mean simply the physical organ, for 14:18, 19 speaks of articulated words and uses the plural "tongues" for a single speaker (compare 14:5, 6).

3. A State of Ecstasy:

A complete explanation of the tongues is given by the phenomena of ecstatic utterances, especially when taken in connection with the history of New Testament times. In ecstasy the soul feels itself so suffused with the divine that the man is drawn above all natural modes of perception (the understanding becomes "unfruitful"), and the religious nature alone is felt to be active. Utterances at such times naturally become altogether abnormal. If the words remain coherent, the speaker may profess to be uttering revelations, or to be the mere organ of the divine voice. Very frequently, however, what is said is quite incomprehensible, although the speaker seems to be endeavoring to convey something. In a still more extreme case the voice will be inarticulate, uttering only groans or outcries. At the termination of the experience the subject is generally unconscious of all that has transpired.

For the state, compare Philo, Quis rerum. divin., li-liii.249-66: "The best (ecstasy) of all is a divinely-infused rapture and `mania,' to which the race of the prophets is subject..... The wise man is a sounding instrument of God's voice, being struck and played upon invisibly by Him..... As long as our mind still shines (is active).... we are not possessed (by God).... but.... when the divine light shines, the human light sets..... The prophet.... is passive, and another (God) makes use of his vocal organs." Compare, further, the descriptions of Celsus (Origen, Contra Celsus, vii.9), who describes the Christian "prophets" of his day as preaching as if God or Christ were speaking through them, closing their words with "strange, fanatical, and quite unintelligible words of which no rational person can find the meaning." The Greek papyri furnish us with an abundance of magical formulas couched in unintelligible terms (e.g. Pap. Lond., 121, "Iao, eloai, marmarachada, menepho, mermai, ieor, aeio, erephie, pherephio," etc.), which are not infrequently connected with an ecstatic state (e.g. Reitzenstein, Poimandres, 53-58).

Interpretation of the utterances in such a state would always be difficult and diversities of interpretation would be unavoidable. Still, with a fixed content, such as the Christian religion gave, and with the aid of gestures, etc., men who felt that they had an understanding of such conditions could undertake to explain them to the congregation. It is to be noted, however, that Paul apparently does not feel that the gift of interpretation is much to be relied on, for otherwise he would have appraised the utility of tongues more highly than he does. But the popularity of tongues in Corinth is easily understood. The speaker was felt to be taken into the closest of unions with God and hence, to be an especial object of God's favor. Indeed, the occurrence of the phenomenon in a neo-convert was irrefragable proof that the conversion was approved by God (Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:15; Acts 19:6). So in Mark 16:17 the gift is treated as an exceptional and miraculous divine blessing (in this verse "new" is textually uncertain, and the meaning of the word, if read, is uncertain also). Moreover, for the more selfish, the gift was very showy (1 Corinthians 13:1 suggests that it was vociferous), and its possession gratified any desire for personal prominence.

4. The Account in Acts 2:

The account in Acts 2 differs from that of 1 Corinthians 14 in making the tongues foreign languages, although the ability to use such languages is not said to have become a permanent apostolic endowment. (Nor is it said that the speech of Acts 2:14-36 was delivered in more than one language.) When the descent of the Spirit occurred, those who were assembled together were seized with ecstasy and uttered praises to God. A crowd gathered and various persons recognized words and phrases in their own tongues; nothing more than this is said. That the occasion was one where a miracle would have had unusual evidential value is evident, and those who see a pure miracle in the account have ample justification for their position. But no more than a providential control of natural forces need be postulated, for similar phenomena are abundantly evidenced in the history of religious experience. At times of intense emotional stress the memory acquires abnormal power, and persons may repeat words and even long passages in a foreign language, although they may have heard them only once. Now the situation at Jerusalem at the time of the Feast gave exactly the conditions needed, for then there were gathered pilgrims from all countries, who recited in public liturgical passages (especially the Shemoneh `Esreh) in their own languages. These, in part, the apostles and the "brethren" simply reproduced. Incomprehensible words and phrases may well have been included also (Acts 2:13), but for the dignity of the apostles and for the importance of Pentecost Luke naturally cared to emphasize only the more unusual side and that with the greatest evidential value. It is urged, to be sure, that this interpretation contradicts the account in 1 Corinthians 14. But it does so only on the assumption that the tongues were always uniform in their manifestation and appraisement everywhere-and the statement of this assumption is its own refutation. If the modern history of ecstatic utterances has any bearing on the Apostolic age, the speaking in foreign languages could not have been limited only to Pentecost. (That, however, it was as common as the speaking in new "languages" would be altogether unlikely.) But both varieties Luke may well have known in his own experience.

5. Religious Emotionalism:

Paul's treatment of the tongues in 1 Corinthians 12-14 is a classical passage for the evaluation of religious emotionalism. Tongues are a divine gift, the exercise is not to be forbidden (14:39), and Paul himself is grateful that he has the gift in an uncommon degree (14:18). Indeed, to those who treat them simply with scorn they become a "sign" that hardening is taking place (14:21-23). Yet a love of them because they are showy is simply childish (14:20; 13:11), and the possessor of the gift is not to think that he has the only thing worth obtaining (1 Corinthians 12). The only gift that is utterly indispensable is love (1 Corinthians 13), and without it tongues are mere noise (13:1). The public evidential value of tongues, on which perhaps the Corinthians were inclined to lay stress, Paul rates very low (14:21-23). Indeed, when exercised in public they tend to promote only the self-glorification of the speaker (14:4), and so are forbidden when there is not an interpreter, and they are limited for public use at all times (14:27, 28). But the ideal place for their exercise is in private: "Let him speak to himself, and to God" (14:28). The applicability of all this to modern conditions needs no commentary. Ultra-emotionalistic outbreaks still cause the formation of eccentric sects among us, and every evangelist knows well-meaning but slightly weak individuals who make themselves a nuisance. On the other hand, a purely intellectual and ethical religion is rather a dreary thing. A man who has never allowed his religious emotions to carry him away may well be in a high state of grace-but he has missed something, and something of very great value.

See also SPIRITUAL GIFTS; TONGUES OF FIRE.

LITERATURE.

Plumptre in DB is still useful. Wright, Some New Testament Problems (1898), and Walker, The Gift of Tongues and Other Essays (1906), have collections of material. Of the commentaries on 1 Corinthians those of Heinrici (latest edition, 1896), Lietzmann (1907) and J. Weiss (1910) are much the best, far surpassing Robertson and Plummer in ICC (1911). For the Greek material, see... in the index of Rhode's Psyche. Gunkel, Die Wirkungen des heiligen Geistes (1888, 2nd reprint in 1909), was epoch-making. For the later period, see Weinel, Die Wirkungen des Gelstes und der Geister (1899); Lake, The Earlier Epistles of Paul (London, 1911); and see Inge in The Quarterly Review (London, 1914).

Burton Scott Easton

GIFT OF TONGUES

See TONGUES, GIFT OF.

PROPHECY, GIFT OF

See SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

Greek

5486. charisma -- a gift of grace, a free gift
... a gift of grace, a free gift. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: charisma
Phonetic Spelling: (khar'-is-mah) Short Definition: an undeserved favor ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5486.htm - 7k

1435. doron -- a gift, present, spec. a sacrifice
... doron. 1436 . a gift, present, spec. ... Cognate: 1435 (a neuter noun derived from
1325/, to give) -- gift (focusing on "the free nature of the gift," Zod, ). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1435.htm - 7k

1431. dorea -- a gift
... a gift. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: dorea Phonetic Spelling:
(do-reh-ah') Short Definition: a free gift Definition: a (free) gift, a gift ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1431.htm - 7k

1394. dosis -- the act of giving, a gift
... dosis. 1395 . the act of giving, a gift. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: dosis Phonetic Spelling: (dos'-is) Short Definition: a giving, ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1394.htm - 6k

1390. doma -- a gift
... doma. 1391 . a gift. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: doma Phonetic
Spelling: (dom'-ah) Short Definition: a gift Definition: a gift, present. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1390.htm - 6k

1434. dorema -- a gift, a bestowment
... a gift, a bestowment. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: dorema Phonetic
Spelling: (do'-ray-mah) Short Definition: a gift, bounty Definition: a gift ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1434.htm - 6k

334. anathema -- a gift set up (in a temple)
... a gift set up (in a temple). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: anathema
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ath'-ay-mah) Short Definition: an offering dedicated ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/334.htm - 6k

1432. dorean -- as a gift, to no purpose
... as a gift, to no purpose. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: dorean Phonetic
Spelling: (do-reh-an') Short Definition: as a free gift, without payment ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1432.htm - 7k

734. Artemas -- "gift of Artemis," Artemas, a friend of the ...
... Artemas. 735 . "gift of ... from a comp. of Artemis and doron Definition "gift of Artemis,"
Artemas, a friend of the apostle Paul NASB Word Usage Artemas (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/734.htm - 6k

2878. korban -- an offering
... an offering. Part of Speech: Hebrew Noun, Masculin Transliteration: korban Phonetic
Spelling: (kor-ban') Short Definition: a gift, offering Definition: a gift ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2878.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

4991. mattath -- a gift
... 4990, 4991. mattath. 4992 . a gift. Transliteration: mattath Phonetic
Spelling: (mat-tawth') Short Definition: gift. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4991.htm - 6k

4976. mattan -- a gift
... 4975, 4976. mattan. 4977 . a gift. Transliteration: mattan Phonetic Spelling:
(mat-tawn') Short Definition: gift. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/4976.htm - 6k

2065. zebed -- endowment, gift
... 2064, 2065. zebed. 2066 . endowment, gift. Transliteration: zebed Phonetic
Spelling: (zeh'-bed) Short Definition: gift. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2065.htm - 6k

4979. mattanah -- a gift
... 4978, 4979. mattanah. 4980 . a gift. Transliteration: mattanah Phonetic Spelling:
(mat-taw-naw') Short Definition: gifts. Word Origin fem. ... gift. ...
/hebrew/4979.htm - 6k

4503. minchah -- a gift, tribute, offering
... a gift, tribute, offering. Transliteration: minchah Phonetic Spelling: (min-khaw')
Short Definition: offering. ... gift, oblation, meat offering, present, sacrifice. ...
/hebrew/4503.htm - 6k

7862. shay -- a gift (offered as homage)
... a gift (offered as homage). Transliteration: shay Phonetic Spelling: (shah'-ee)
Short Definition: gifts. ... Probably from shavah; a gift (as available) -- present. ...
/hebrew/7862.htm - 6k

5083. nadan -- a gift
... a gift. Transliteration: nadan Phonetic Spelling: (naw-dawn') Short Definition:
gifts. Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a gift NASB Word Usage gifts (1) ...
/hebrew/5083.htm - 5k

4978. mattena -- a gift
... mattena. 4979 . a gift. Transliteration: mattena Phonetic Spelling: (mat-ten-aw')
Short Definition: gifts. ... gift. (Aramaic) corresponding to mattanah -- gift. ...
/hebrew/4978.htm - 6k

5379. nisseth -- gift
... 5378, 5379. nisseth. 5380 . gift. Transliteration: nisseth Phonetic Spelling:
(nis-sayth') Short Definition: gift. Word Origin the same as nasa, qv. gift ...
/hebrew/5379.htm - 5k

814. eshkar -- a gift
... eshkar. 815 . a gift. Transliteration: eshkar Phonetic Spelling: (esh-cawr') Short
Definition: gifts. ... gift, present. For sakar; a gratuity -- gift, present. ...
/hebrew/814.htm - 5k

Library

The Gift
... HYMNS THE GIFT. "There came no more such abundance of spices as those which
the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.""1 Kings 10:10. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/the gift.htm

Service a Gift
... THE BOOK OF NUMBERS SERVICE A GIFT. '... I have given your priest's
office unto you as a service of gift.'"Numbers 18:7. All ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/service a gift.htm

The Universal Gift
... V) THE UNIVERSAL GIFT. ... If churches or individuals are scant of that gift, it is not
because it has not been bestowed, but because it has not been accepted. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the universal gift.htm

The Gift and the Giver
... THE GIFT AND THE GIVER. ... So then, we have here gift, Giver, way of getting, and ignorance
that hinders asking. Let us look at these. I. First, the gift of God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the gift and the giver.htm

Whether Knowledge is a Gift?
... OF THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether knowledge is a gift? Objection
1: It would seem that knowledge is not a gift. For ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether knowledge is a gift.htm

Whether Fortitude is a Gift?
... OF THE GIFT OF FORTITUDE (TWO ARTICLES) Whether fortitude is a gift? Objection
1: It seems that fortitude is not a gift. For the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fortitude is a gift.htm

The Nawab's Gift
... THE NAWAB'S GIFT. The need for a dispensary and hospital became daily more
imperative, and it was opportunely met in the munificent ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hoskins/clara a swain md/the nawabs gift.htm

Whether "Gift" is the Proper Name of the Holy Ghost?
... OF THE NAME OF THE HOLY GHOST, AS GIFT (TWO ARTICLES) Whether "Gift" is the proper
name of the Holy Ghost? ... For the name Gift comes from being given. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether gift is the proper.htm

Whether Piety is a Gift?
... OF PIETY (TWO ARTICLES) Whether piety is a gift? Objection 1: It seems that
piety is not a gift. For the gifts differ from the virtues ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether piety is a gift.htm

Whether "Gift" is a Personal Name?
... OF THE NAME OF THE HOLY GHOST, AS GIFT (TWO ARTICLES) Whether "Gift" is a personal
name? Objection 1: It would seem that "Gift" is not a personal name. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether gift is a personal.htm

Subtopics

The Gift of the Holy Spirit by the Father

The Gift of the Holy Spirit by the Son

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is Abundant

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is Fruit Bearing

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is Permanent

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: A Pledge of the Continued Favour of God

The Gift of the Holy Spirit: An Earnest of the Inheritance of the Saints