Topical Bible: Offerings: Drink: Libations of Wine offered With the Sacrifices

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In the context of ancient Israelite worship, drink offerings, or libations, were an integral part of the sacrificial system prescribed by God. These offerings typically consisted of wine and were poured out in conjunction with other sacrifices, symbolizing the dedication and consecration of the offering to the Lord.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of offering drink offerings is rooted in the Mosaic Law, where God provided specific instructions regarding their use. In Exodus 29:40-41 , the Lord commands, "With the first lamb, offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter hin of wine as a drink offering. Offer the second lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and drink offering as in the morning. It is a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD."

Purpose and Symbolism

Drink offerings were not standalone sacrifices but were typically offered alongside burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings. The libation of wine symbolized the outpouring of one's life and devotion to God, reflecting a heart of gratitude and submission. The wine, poured out before the Lord, represented the fullness of joy and the abundance of blessings that come from a life dedicated to Him.

Regulations and Occasions

The regulations for drink offerings are detailed in several passages throughout the Pentateuch. Numbers 15:5-10 outlines the specific quantities of wine to be used in relation to the size of the animal sacrifice: "With the burnt offering or sacrifice of each lamb, prepare a quarter hin of wine as a drink offering. With a ram, prepare a third of a hin of wine as a drink offering. With a bull, prepare half a hin of wine as a drink offering."

Drink offerings were presented during regular daily sacrifices, on the Sabbath, and during special feasts and festivals, such as Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. They were also part of the offerings made during the consecration of priests and the dedication of the altar.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, drink offerings underscore the concept of total surrender and the joy of fellowship with God. The pouring out of wine signifies the worshiper's willingness to give their all to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and grace. This act of worship points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was poured out for the redemption of humanity.

New Testament Reflection

While the New Testament does not prescribe drink offerings as part of Christian worship, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of a drink offering to describe his own life of service and sacrifice. In Philippians 2:17 , he writes, "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you." This metaphor highlights the continuity of the theme of sacrificial living and dedication to God.

In summary, drink offerings in the Old Testament were a vital component of the sacrificial system, symbolizing devotion, gratitude, and the joy of communion with God. They served as a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ and continue to inspire believers to live lives of wholehearted dedication to the Lord.

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Genesis 35:14
And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
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Exodus 29:40,41
And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.
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Exodus 30:9
You shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall you pour drink offering thereon.
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Leviticus 23:13,18
And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire to the LORD for a sweet smell: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.
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Numbers 6:17
And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering.
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Numbers 15:24
Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet smell to the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
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Numbers 28:5-15,24-31
And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil.
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Numbers 29:6-11,18-40
Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according to their manner, for a sweet smell, a sacrifice made by fire to the LORD.
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2 Kings 16:13
And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, on the altar.
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1 Chronicles 29:21
And they sacrificed sacrifices to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings to the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:
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2 Chronicles 29:35
And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order.
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Ezra 7:17
That you may buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
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Library

So Also were Sacrifices and Oblations.
... eat: for concerning neither sacrifices nor libations did I ... thee for thy sacrifices;
thy burnt-offerings are continually ... the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood ...
/.../chapter xxii so also were sacrifices.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... of one at Delphi); a cup for libations; a patera ... instruments of sacrifice, and other
votive offerings, in a ... their ailments could bathe in or drink the miracle ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... have offerings of bread, cakes, and drink, at the ... the "Opening of the Mouth" and
to receive offerings. ... of prayer and sistrum, she poured libations and offered ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... own, welcome us, and receive us with plenteous offerings of food ... he shall place their
entrails devoutly on the fire, with libations.". ... The drink mentioned by ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... tribute of gold, silver, lead, copper, dyed stuffs, oxen, sheep, and wine. ... he bathed
his weapons in the waters, and offered the customary sacrifices to the ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... and surrounded by muddy swamps, offered them almost ... which, however, was brackish
and disagreeable to drink. ... indestructible wells and cisterns, or wine and oil ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... its members recited prayers and poured libations night and ... these bestowed upon him,
and the offerings which they ... The drink of death, it shall be offered to thee ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... prepared the foundations, upon which he poured libations of oil, honey, palm-wine,
and other ... against the possible danger of opposition being offered to the ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... This practice"save the expiatory offerings"was adopted ... is worded: "Oh, friends
(convivae), drink now to ... of Priscilla, refers to these deplorable libations. ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... High God, and honour His temple with libations and incense ... then shall they bring
incense and offerings to the ... and bless Him before they eat or drink, and offer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm