Topical Bible: Offerings: Eaten

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In the biblical context, offerings that were eaten played a significant role in the religious and communal life of ancient Israel. These offerings were part of the sacrificial system established by God and detailed in the Mosaic Law. They served not only as acts of worship and atonement but also as means of fellowship and sustenance for the priests and, at times, the offerers themselves.

Types of Eaten Offerings

1. Peace Offerings (Zebach Shelamim): The peace offering was unique in that it was shared among the altar, the priests, and the offerer. Leviticus 3 outlines the procedure for peace offerings, which could be cattle, sheep, or goats. The fat and certain organs were burned on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, while the breast and right thigh were given to the priests (Leviticus 7:31-34). The remainder of the meat was consumed by the offerer and their family in a communal meal, symbolizing peace and fellowship with God. Leviticus 7:15 states, "The meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings must be eaten on the day he offers it; he must not leave any of it until morning."

2. Grain Offerings (Minchah): While primarily a tribute to God, portions of the grain offering were eaten by the priests. Leviticus 2 describes the grain offering, which consisted of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. A memorial portion was burned on the altar, and the rest was given to Aaron and his sons as "a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the LORD" (Leviticus 2:3).

3. Sin and Guilt Offerings (Chatat and Asham): These offerings were primarily for atonement and purification. The sin offering, detailed in Leviticus 4, and the guilt offering, in Leviticus 5, involved the sacrifice of an animal. The blood was used for atonement, and the fat was burned on the altar. The remaining meat was consumed by the priests in a holy place, as stated in Leviticus 6:26, "The priest who offers it shall eat it; it must be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting."

Purpose and Significance

The consumption of offerings served several purposes:

· Atonement and Purification: Eating certain offerings was part of the ritual process of atonement, symbolizing the removal of sin and impurity. The priests, as mediators between God and the people, partook of these offerings to complete the atonement process.

· Fellowship and Communion: The shared meal of the peace offering symbolized restored fellowship with God and among the community. It was a celebration of peace and gratitude, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people.

· Provision for the Priests: The priests, who had no inheritance of land, were sustained by portions of the offerings. This provision allowed them to focus on their duties in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

· Holiness and Separation: The consumption of offerings was governed by strict regulations to maintain the holiness of the sacrificial system. Only those who were ceremonially clean could partake, emphasizing the sanctity of the offerings and the need for purity in approaching God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of offerings takes on a spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the sacrificial system. The communal aspect of offerings is reflected in the Lord's Supper, where believers partake in the body and blood of Christ, symbolizing unity and fellowship with Him and one another (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

The practice of eating offerings in the Old Testament foreshadows the spiritual nourishment and communion found in Christ, who is both the High Priest and the sacrificial Lamb.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 9:13
As soon as you be come into the city, you shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he does bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time you shall find him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... The third place must be given to the peace-offerings of thanksgiving, which
were eaten on the same day, but anywhere in Jerusalem. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

Leviticus.
... 6. Instructions to priests concerning the offerings, 6:8-7 end. II. Law of
Purity. Chs.11-22. 1. Pure food, animals to be eaten, Ch. II. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii leviticus.htm

Jerusalem
... because of the holy things. For there they have eaten the flesh of the
peace-offerings, and thank-offerings. And it is customary for ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 21 jerusalem.htm

Leviticus
... Priests' share of the meal and peace offerings, x.12-15. ... Laws concerning the animals
which may or may not be eaten"quadrupeds, fish, birds, flying insects ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies.
... here given are like cloth of gold (Psalm 45:13), moth-eaten and patched, and ... conceive
of the Mosaic system as one of unlimited hecatombs and burnt-offerings. ...
/.../various/early liturgies/introductory notice to the early.htm

As Many, However, as Went up in Mourning Attire and Sat Down and ...
... shall be prostrators for three years; but if they have not eaten, then for ... worship,
but not actively," that is, "they may not mingle their offerings with those ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon v as many however.htm

'The Love of Thine Espousals'
... and peace-offerings differed mainly in the use made of the sacrifice, which was
wholly consumed by fire in the former, while it was in part eaten by the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the love of thine espousals.htm

Historical Note.
... I, Diogenes, have constantly sacrificed and made offerings, and have eaten in your
presence the sacrificial meat, and I petition you to give me a certificate ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/historical note.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... plea that in Leviticus 6:23 (AV) every offering of a priest was ordered to be burnt,
and not eaten; while from the Temple-tribute such offerings were paid for ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

The Locust-Swarms
... the cankerworm had eaten; and what the cankerworm had left, the caterpillar had
eaten. ... He requires no sacrifices, no great offerings on your part to win him ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xx the locust-swarms.htm