Topical Bible: The Goat: The Young of Given As a Present

◄ The Goat: The Young of Given As a Present ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, goats held significant economic and cultural value, often serving as symbols of wealth and prosperity. The young goat, in particular, was frequently given as a present, reflecting its importance in ancient Near Eastern society. This practice is documented in several biblical narratives, where the gifting of a young goat is associated with hospitality, reconciliation, and covenantal relationships.

Hospitality and Generosity

The act of giving a young goat as a present is first seen in the context of hospitality. In Genesis 27:9, Rebekah instructs Jacob to bring her two choice young goats so she can prepare a savory meal for Isaac, his father. This meal was intended to secure Isaac's blessing for Jacob. The young goat here symbolizes the preparation of a special feast, highlighting the role of goats in providing sustenance and demonstrating generosity.

Reconciliation and Peace Offerings

The young goat also appears in narratives of reconciliation. In Genesis 38:17, Judah promises to send a young goat from his flock as a pledge to Tamar. This act underscores the use of goats as a form of payment or assurance in personal agreements. Similarly, in Judges 15:1, Samson brings a young goat to his wife as a peace offering, intending to visit her in her father's house. The young goat serves as a token of goodwill and an attempt to restore broken relationships.

Covenantal Relationships

In the broader context of covenantal relationships, the young goat is part of sacrificial practices that signify devotion and atonement. While not always explicitly mentioned as a gift, the offering of a young goat in sacrifices, as seen in Leviticus 4:23-24, reflects its role in maintaining a covenantal bond with God. The young goat, when offered as a sin offering, symbolizes the individual's desire for reconciliation with the divine.

Symbolism and Significance

The young goat's recurring presence in these narratives highlights its multifaceted role in biblical culture. It is a symbol of hospitality, a medium for reconciliation, and a component of sacrificial rites. The giving of a young goat as a present underscores the values of generosity, peace, and covenantal faithfulness that permeate the biblical text.

In summary, the young goat, when given as a present, is emblematic of the social and religious practices of the ancient Israelites. Its significance extends beyond mere economic value, embodying the principles of hospitality, reconciliation, and covenantal commitment that are central to the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 38:17
And he said, I will send you a kid from the flock. And she said, Will you give me a pledge, till you send it?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 15:1
But it came to pass within a while after, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Day of Atonement
... Aaron come into the holy place; with a young bullock for ... bullock, and of the blood
of the goat, and put ... and so makes the whole a divinely given instruction as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

An Unalterable Law
... raiment and articles made of skins or goat's hair, were ... was to bring two turtle-doves
or young pigeons; but ... to be removed, blood must flow, life must be given. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/an unalterable law.htm

The Crossing of the Jordan
... thing about the sacrifice was, whether sheep, goat, lamb, dove ... had poured out His
grace, and the young woman was ... how shall you know that all is given up and the ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter two the crossing of.htm

The Consecration of Joy
... was to be, as on other feast days, one goat for a ... unto Me, and drink.' What increased
force is given to the ... up in the court, each tended by four young priests. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the consecration of joy.htm

Separation to God.
... all the world" thinks this, or does that, given as a ... he shall bring two turtles,
or two young pigeons, to ... for a burnt-offering, while one he-goat sufficed for ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... the precepts about the sacrifices were not given to the ... foreshadow His headship;
and in the goat, to signify ... older ones are better than the young; while with ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

The Shepherd of Pella
... "His fortune given freely to ... Momus ate, and looked with growing grace at his young
host. But Laodice succeeded only in drinking the goat's milk and lapsed into ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter iii the shepherd of.htm

Rom. xii. 1
... Shall I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink goat's blood?" (ib ... God, or, for I say unto
you by the Law given of God ... to the woman and to the man, to the young and to ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xx rom xii 1.htm

The Greek Kings of Egypt.
... to the morning star, and to a young cedar of ... the genealogy of the house of David
there given, comes down ... time, and were alarmed when the scape-goat, with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xvi the greek kings.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... brought by the men that were free, was given by such as ... They brought also a young
bullock, and a ram, with a ... for a whole burnt-offering, as also a goat for the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm