Topical Bible: Offerings: Heave: when offered

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of ancient Israelite worship, heave offerings were a specific type of offering presented to the Lord. The term "heave" refers to the act of lifting or raising the offering as a symbolic gesture of presenting it to God. These offerings were part of the broader system of sacrifices and offerings outlined in the Mosaic Law, which served to maintain the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Biblical Instructions and Occasions

Heave offerings were typically associated with the peace offerings and the consecration of the priests. The Book of Exodus provides detailed instructions regarding the heave offering in the context of the ordination of Aaron and his sons. In Exodus 29:27-28 , it is written: "Consecrate for Aaron and his sons the breast of the wave offering that was waved and the thigh of the heave offering that was raised from the ram of ordination. This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a perpetual portion from the Israelites, for it is a contribution. It will be a contribution from the Israelites from their peace offerings, their contribution to the LORD."

The heave offering was also a portion of the sacrifices that were given to the priests as their due. Numbers 18:8-11 states: "Then the LORD said to Aaron, 'Behold, I have given you charge of the contributions made to Me. All the holy offerings of the Israelites I have given to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute. A portion of the most holy offerings, reserved from the fire, will be yours. Every offering of theirs that they bring to Me as most holy, whether grain or sin or guilt offering, will be most holy for you and your sons. You are to eat it as a most holy offering. Every male may eat it; it shall be holy to you.'"

Symbolism and Purpose

The heave offering symbolized the dedication of a portion of the Israelites' resources to God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty. By lifting the offering, the worshiper demonstrated an act of devotion and submission to the divine will. The heave offering, along with other offerings, served to remind the Israelites of their dependence on God and their responsibility to support the Levitical priesthood, which mediated between God and the people.

Heave Offerings in the New Testament Context

While the specific practice of heave offerings is not carried over into New Testament worship, the principles underlying these offerings continue to hold significance. The New Testament emphasizes the spiritual sacrifices of believers, as seen in passages like Romans 12:1 : "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."

In summary, heave offerings were an integral part of the sacrificial system in ancient Israel, serving both as a means of worship and as a provision for the priesthood. They underscored the importance of dedicating a portion of one's resources to God and supporting those who minister in His name.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 7:12-14
If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 6:20
And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 15:19-21
Then it shall be, that, when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall offer up an heave offering to the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew

8641. terumah -- contribution, offering (for sacred uses)
... Usage allotment (15), contribution (20), contributions (10), heave offering (4),
offered by lifting (2), offering (20), offerings (4), who takes bribes (1). ...
/hebrew/8641.htm - 6k

Library

The Second Oration on Easter.
... receive even Isaac, when he was being offered by his ... set apart for the Priest (ie,
the heave-offering, Leviticus ... grace to come; and so the Sin-offerings of the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlv the second oration.htm

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... some great convulsion or earthquake hereafter shall heave up the ... CH Spurgeon) offered
up prayer as follows ... Accept the free will offerings of thy people, and O ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heave' (Acts 1 ... by
the word that calleth us, is Jesus Christ held forth to us; and offered to be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm