The drink offering, or "nesek" in Hebrew, is a significant component of the sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament. It is a libation of wine poured out in conjunction with other offerings, symbolizing the dedication and consecration of the offering to God. The drink offering is often associated with burnt offerings and grain offerings, forming a triad of sacrifices that express worship, thanksgiving, and atonement.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of the drink offering is detailed in the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. In Exodus 29:40-41 , the drink offering is prescribed as part of the daily burnt offering: "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."

In Numbers 15:5-10 , the drink offering is further elaborated upon, specifying the 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. This is an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD."

Public Sacrifices and State Provision

The drink offering was not only a personal act of devotion but also a public ritual, particularly in the context of national worship. The state, representing the collective body of Israel, provided for these offerings as part of the regular sacrificial system. This provision underscored the communal aspect of worship and the nation's covenant relationship with God.

In 2 Chronicles 31:3 , King Hezekiah's reforms included the provision of offerings by the state: "The king contributed from his own possessions for the morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the Law of the LORD." This indicates that the state played a crucial role in ensuring the continuity and regularity of public sacrifices, including the accompanying drink offerings.

Symbolism and Significance

The drink offering holds deep symbolic meaning within the sacrificial system. It represents the outpouring of life and the complete dedication of the worshiper to God. The use of wine, a product of the vine, signifies joy and celebration, reflecting the worshiper's gratitude and acknowledgment of God's provision and blessings.

Moreover, the drink offering is a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who poured out His life for the redemption of humanity. The Apostle Paul alludes to this in Philippians 2:17 , where he speaks of being "poured out like a drink offering" upon the sacrificial service of the faith of the believers, drawing a parallel between his own ministry and the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.

Conclusion

The drink offering for public sacrifices provided by the state is a testament to the communal and covenantal aspects of Israel's worship. It highlights the nation's collective responsibility to honor God through regular and prescribed acts of devotion, ensuring that the spiritual life of the community remained vibrant and aligned with the divine commandments.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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 45:17
And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... morning-service was followed by the offering of the ... of the heathen nations, the public
services closed ... now bids, whosoever thirsteth, come unto Him and drink. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... part of our palace or other public buildings should be ... of practising this custom
is conceded, provided they refrain from domestic sacrifices, which are ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... Holy Scriptures or by pragmatic forms [public decrees] to ... shall be discovered to
have celebrated sacrifices or the ... as a holy and pleasing offering, these most ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... rebuke; some, when taken to task in public, others, when ... mind; charging them with
giving their neighbours drink in order ... it, and I gave as an offering my all ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Paul in Athens.
... like ours, nourished with food and drink, might suffer ... individual at his death, but
a public trial of ... to worship him, or content ourselves with offering to him ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xx paul in athens.htm

Letter cii. (AD 409. )
... also, it pleased Him to take food and drink more than once ... cycle of the ages, when
one kind of offering is known ... huge ribs which are fixed in a public place in ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cii a d 409.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... for praise and prayer, or in the public assembly of ... that are waiting without at his
time of offering incense within ... of all those that by him shall drink thereof ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... S. Maria in Cosmedin is the joint offering of many ... kept at the disposal of the public,
whence their ... of the local congregation supplying food and drink, as well ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

The General Conference of 1804, and of the Annual Conferences of ...
... and compelled him to remit those public labors in ... behind, we must be content with
offering this feeble ... told them they might, if they chose, drink their whisky ...
/.../chapter 6 the general conference.htm

part iii.
... yielded, much less that God will accept the offering. ... talent either for learning
or public speaking, become ... the ordinances of heaven, that we drink the richest ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part iii.htm

What is the water of life? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about underage drinking? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus say, “I thirst,” from the cross? | GotQuestions.org

Drink: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus