Topical Bible: Offerings: Laid up in the Temple

◄ Offerings: Laid up in the Temple ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, offerings laid up in the temple refer to the various gifts, sacrifices, and contributions made by the Israelites and others, which were stored or dedicated in the temple of God. These offerings were an integral part of worship and religious practice, serving both as a means of honoring God and as a provision for the temple's maintenance and the support of the Levitical priesthood.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of offerings laid up in the temple is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where the temple served as the central place of worship for the Israelites. The offerings included a wide range of items such as money, grain, animals, and other valuable goods. These offerings were often prescribed by the Mosaic Law and were essential for the various sacrificial rites and ceremonies.

In 1 Kings 7:51 , we read about the completion of Solomon's temple: "So all the work that King Solomon had done for the house of the LORD was completed. Then Solomon brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD." This passage highlights the practice of dedicating valuable items to the temple, which were then stored in its treasuries.

Types of Offerings

1. Tithes and Contributions: The Israelites were commanded to bring tithes and contributions to the temple. These were used to support the Levites, who had no inheritance of land (Numbers 18:21-24). Malachi 3:10 emphasizes the importance of tithing: "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts, "and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure."

2. Sacrificial Offerings: Various sacrifices, including burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings, were brought to the temple. These sacrifices were a means of atonement and worship, as outlined in Leviticus. The blood of the sacrifices was often sprinkled on the altar, while the remaining parts were either burned or given to the priests.

3. Freewill Offerings and Vows: Individuals could also bring freewill offerings and fulfill vows by dedicating items to the temple. These offerings were voluntary and reflected the personal devotion of the worshiper (Deuteronomy 12:6).

4. Firstfruits and Firstborn: The firstfruits of the harvest and the firstborn of livestock were dedicated to the Lord and brought to the temple as a sign of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's provision (Exodus 23:19).

Purpose and Significance

The offerings laid up in the temple served several purposes:

· Worship and Devotion: They were a tangible expression of worship and devotion to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision.
· Atonement and Reconciliation: Sacrificial offerings were central to the atonement process, allowing the Israelites to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
· Support for the Priesthood: The offerings provided for the needs of the priests and Levites, who were responsible for the temple's upkeep and the performance of religious duties.
· Community and Fellowship: The communal aspect of bringing offerings fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose among the Israelites.

Historical Context

Throughout Israel's history, the practice of bringing offerings to the temple experienced periods of neglect and revival. During times of spiritual decline, such as under certain kings of Judah, the temple and its offerings were often disregarded. However, during periods of reform, leaders like Hezekiah and Josiah restored the practice of temple offerings, emphasizing their importance in the nation's spiritual life (2 Chronicles 31:4-6; 2 Kings 23:21-23).

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, while the physical temple in Jerusalem remained a focal point for Jewish worship, the concept of offerings evolved with the advent of Christ. Jesus Himself observed temple practices, as seen in His cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). However, the ultimate offering was fulfilled in Christ's sacrificial death, rendering the need for continual animal sacrifices obsolete (Hebrews 10:10-14).

The early Christian community continued the practice of giving, as seen in Acts 4:34-35 : "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need." This reflects the ongoing principle of offerings laid up for the work of God, now expressed through the church.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 31:12
And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 10:37
And that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground to the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Pompey had the City of Jerusalem Delivered up to Him but Took ...
... But as soon as Pompey had filled up the valley ... slain while they were offering their
drink-offerings, and burning ... hitherto seen by none, should be laid open to ...
/.../chapter 7 how pompey had.htm

How Amon Reigned Instead of Manasseh; and after Amon Reigned ...
... He also offered his accustomed sacrifices and burnt-offerings upon the altar. ... lighted
upon the holy books of Moses that were laid up in the temple; and when ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how amon reigned.htm

Altar and Temple
... as one man to Jerusalem.2. Then stood up Jeshua the ... the seventh month began they
to offer burnt offerings unto the ... Temple of the Lord was not yet laid.7. They ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

How Solomon Removed the Ark into the Temple How He Made ...
... large and beautiful buildings, and had laid up his donations ... of God, and removed
them to the temple. ... ground moist with sacrifices, and drink-offerings, and the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how solomon removed.htm

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... top of the fifteen steps which led up from the ... if for them specially the sacrifices
were laid on the ... Law put it, they might again partake of sacred offerings. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii the purification of.htm

The Gates and Doors on the North Side.
... westward, was the "chamber of salt": where salt was laid up for the offerings. ... named
was the chamber, where the public treasure of the Temple was laid up. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 32 the gates and.htm

Samuel --The Child of the Temple.
... was high priest a man named Elkanah came up from Ramah ... year his father and mother
came to bring offerings to the ... One night when Eli was laid down to sleep, and ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xvii samuelthe child of.htm

Sacrifice Renewed
... the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands ... as were of a free heart
burnt offerings."2 Chronicles ... He had shut up the Temple, defiled the sacred ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sacrifice renewed.htm

Of the Building of this Temple
... He also laid the floor of the temple with plates of ... breadth the same, and its height
ten, for the burnt-offerings. ... by the Greeks, and he raised it up to the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

How Herod Rebuilt the Temple and Raised it Higher and Made it More ...
... a deep valley; and at the south side he laid rocks together ... from it, was the second,
to be gone up to by ... which we offer our sacrifices and burnt-offerings to God ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how herod rebuilt.htm