Topical Bible: Offerings: Different Kinds of Drink

◄ Offerings: Different Kinds of Drink ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, offerings were a central aspect of worship and devotion to God, serving as expressions of gratitude, atonement, and dedication. Among these offerings, drink offerings held a significant place, often accompanying other sacrifices such as burnt offerings and grain offerings. The drink offering, typically consisting of wine, symbolized the pouring out of one's life and resources before the Lord.

Old Testament Context

The practice of drink offerings is first mentioned in Genesis 35:14, where Jacob sets up a pillar in the place where God had spoken to him and pours out a drink offering on it. This act signifies Jacob's dedication and reverence to God, marking a sacred moment of divine encounter.

In the Mosaic Law, drink offerings are systematically incorporated into the sacrificial system. Numbers 15:5-10 outlines the specific quantities of wine to be offered alongside burnt offerings and grain offerings, depending on the type of animal being sacrificed. For example, a lamb required a quarter of a hin of wine, while a ram required a third of a hin, and a bull required half a hin. These offerings were to be made with the finest flour and oil, symbolizing the best of what the Israelites had to offer.

The drink offering was also part of the daily offerings, as described in Exodus 29:40-41, where it accompanied the morning and evening sacrifices. This regularity underscored the continual devotion and acknowledgment of God's provision and sovereignty.

Symbolism and Significance

Drink offerings carried rich symbolic meaning. The act of pouring out wine represented the outpouring of one's life and blessings before God. It was an acknowledgment of God's ultimate ownership of all resources and a gesture of complete surrender and trust in His providence.

In the prophetic literature, drink offerings are sometimes mentioned in the context of judgment and idolatry. For instance, Isaiah 57:6 criticizes the Israelites for offering drink offerings to false gods, highlighting the misuse of what was intended for the worship of the true God.

New Testament Reflections

While the New Testament does not prescribe drink offerings as part of Christian worship, the concept is echoed in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Philippians 2:17, Paul speaks of being "poured out like a drink offering" on the sacrifice and service of the Philippians' faith. This metaphor illustrates Paul's willingness to give his life in service to Christ and the church, reflecting the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Himself.

Similarly, in 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul again uses the imagery of a drink offering to describe his impending martyrdom, signifying his complete dedication and the fulfillment of his ministry.

Conclusion

The practice of drink offerings in the Bible serves as a profound symbol of devotion, sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. While the specific ritual is not carried into New Testament worship, its underlying principles of dedication and surrender continue to resonate in the Christian faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 29:40
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 15:5
And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shall you prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... Suffice it that, as regarded the various kinds of grain ... Very different were the meals
of the poor. ... was to prevent the eating of sacred offerings in defilement ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

Concerning Balaam the Prophet and what Kind of Man He Was.
... sacrifices, and offered them as burnt-offerings, that he ... conduct of life as are entirely
different from all ... are peculiar to yourselves, and your kinds of drink ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning balaam the.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... have already the form of elements, and belong to different kinds. ... of all, who required
these offerings as a ... Thus Faustus' doctrine is very different from Paul's ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

A Treatise on Re-Baptism by an Anonymous Writer.
... with illustrious presents and distinguished offerings; because while ... whosoever should
believe and drink of both ... principle that there are different kinds of one ...
/.../a treatise of novatian concerning the trinity/a treatise on re-baptism by.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... There were all kinds of pillars, tables, and vessels there ... little girls, all in festal
dress but each different. ... the altar, and on these the offerings were laid ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

Pagans.
... Every year they come up, from different parts, to ... of the assembly, the profusion
of the offerings, and the ... Tortures of various kinds, burning, and burying alive ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/pagans.htm

Letter cii. (AD 409. )
... to suppose different things and different kinds of salvation ... practice and worship
was different: the question ... not because God needs our offerings, seeing that ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cii a d 409.htm

Treatise ii. On the Dress of virgins.
... fields, ought you to immolate victims and offerings to the ... her, where both desires
and wishes are different from her ... virgins pass, the just of all kinds advance ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise ii on the dress.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... where fire was lit, to burn the offerings placed in ... I was able to distinguish herds
of very different kinds of animals ... back to her son gave him to drink and led ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... to Objection 8: There were three kinds of sacrifices ... in order were the "ex-voto"
peace-offerings, the flesh ... 2115]Q[73], A[10]): wherefore different victims are ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm