Topical Encyclopedia The concept of a dedication-offering in the Bible is closely associated with the act of consecrating something or someone to the service of God. This offering is a tangible expression of devotion and commitment, often accompanying the dedication of sacred spaces, objects, or individuals to the Lord.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, dedication-offerings are prominently featured in the context of the Tabernacle and the Temple. One of the earliest examples is found in the dedication of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. In Numbers 7, the leaders of Israel brought offerings for the dedication of the altar. Each tribe presented offerings over twelve days, including silver plates, gold pans, and various animals for burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings. Numbers 7:84-88 summarizes these offerings: "This was the dedication offering for the altar from the leaders of Israel when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver basins, and twelve gold bowls. Each silver plate weighed 130 shekels, and each basin 70 shekels; all the silver of the vessels weighed 2,400 shekels according to the sanctuary shekel. The twelve gold bowls filled with incense weighed 10 shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel; all the gold of the bowls weighed 120 shekels. All the livestock for the burnt offering totaled twelve bulls, twelve rams, and twelve male lambs a year old, along with their grain offerings. Twelve male goats were also offered as a sin offering. All the livestock for the sacrifice of the peace offering totaled twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the dedication offerings for the altar after it was anointed." The dedication of Solomon's Temple also involved significant offerings. In 1 Kings 8:62-64 , Solomon offered sacrifices to the Lord: "Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the LORD: 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD. On that same day, the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard that was in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to hold all these offerings." New Testament Context While the New Testament does not explicitly mention dedication-offerings in the same ceremonial context as the Old Testament, the principle of dedicating oneself or one's possessions to God is evident. Romans 12:1 exhorts believers: "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This passage reflects the idea of a personal dedication-offering, where believers are called to consecrate their lives to God as an act of worship. Theological Significance Dedication-offerings in the Bible underscore the importance of setting apart what is sacred for God's purposes. They serve as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where offerings are a response to His holiness and grace. These offerings are not merely ritualistic but are expressions of gratitude, reverence, and commitment to the divine will. The dedication-offering, therefore, is a profound act of worship, symbolizing the believer's desire to honor God with their best and to acknowledge His sovereignty over all aspects of life. Concordance Dedication-offering (3 Occurrences)Numbers 7:10 Numbers 7:84 Numbers 7:88 Thesaurus Dedication-offering (3 Occurrences)Dedication-offering. Dedication-gift, Dedication-offering. Dedication-song . Multi-Version Concordance Dedication-offering (3 Occurrences). ... /d/dedication-offering.htm - 7k Dedication-song (1 Occurrence) Dedication-gift (3 Occurrences) Israelite (83 Occurrences) Peace-offering (46 Occurrences) Resources Is a house dedication a biblical concept? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a drink offering? | GotQuestions.org What is a solemn assembly in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |