Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7402 offerings

7402 offerings

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7402 offerings

Anything offered up to God by human beings, including sacrificial offerings. A distinction can be made between offerings which involve the taking of life and other gifts made to God.

Sacrificial offerings as a sign of gratitude or repentance

Genesis 4:4; Psalm 107:22

Tithes were a regular form of offering

Genesis 28:20-22; Leviticus 27:30 See also Genesis 14:20

Part of every harvest was given as a freewill offering to God

As firstfruits:

Exodus 22:29; Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 18:4; Nehemiah 10:35 Leviticus 19:23-25 Fruit from a tree could not be eaten until the fifth year; Leviticus 23:38 Extra gifts were offered on the Sabbath.

Offerings and the tabernacle

For its construction

Exodus 25:1-2 pp Exodus 35:5

At its dedication

See also Numbers 7:2-3

Offerings and Solomon's temple

David's personal gift

1 Chronicles 29:2-5

Offerings for upkeep and restoration

In the reign of Joash:

2 Kings 12:4-5; 2 Chronicles 24:8-12

In the reign of Josiah:

2 Kings 22:4-6 pp 2 Chronicles 34:9-11

Offerings and the second temple

Ezra 3:5; Ezra 7:16; Ezra 8:24-30

Offerings and Herod's temple

Mark 12:41-43 pp Luke 21:1-3 The poor widow was participating in a regular practice; Luke 21:5

Some offerings are not acceptable

Matthew 5:23-24 Offerings are unacceptable unless the worshipper is reconciled to God. See also Genesis 4:3-5 Cain's offering was not accepted on account of his incorrect attitude.

Boasting about offerings makes them unacceptable:

Amos 4:4-5; Luke 18:12 Matthew 23:23 pp Luke 11:42 Meticulous tithing, without mercy or justice, is unacceptable.

Offerings in the future kingdom

From the Gentile nations

Psalm 76:11; Isaiah 18:7; Malachi 1:11

From God's people

Ezekiel 20:40; Ezekiel 44:30

Gifts and offerings in the NT

To help the needy

Acts 4:34-35; Acts 11:29-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 In several of his letters Paul mentions the freewill offering he was organising for poor Christians at Jerusalem; Hebrews 13:16

To support God's servants

Philippians 4:10-18

Offerings of praise

Hebrews 13:15

God's people are themselves an offering to God

Jeremiah 2:3; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4

Offerings as “Corban”

Mark 7:9-13 “Corban” is a technical Jewish religious term, meaning “something dedicated, especially on oath”. What Jesus Christ says implies that once the children had donated the amount they would have spent on their ageing parents for religious purposes, they were no longer responsible for their upkeep.