Topical Bible: Wave-Offering was Given to the Priest As his Due

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Topical Encyclopedia

The wave offering is a significant ritual in the Old Testament, particularly within the context of the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. This offering is part of the broader category of peace offerings and is distinct in its ceremonial presentation before the Lord.

Biblical Foundation

The wave offering is first introduced in the book of Exodus and further detailed in Leviticus and Numbers. It is primarily associated with the consecration of the priests and the offerings made during various feasts and sacrifices. The term "wave offering" comes from the Hebrew word "tenufah," which implies a motion of waving or presenting before the Lord.

In Exodus 29:24-28, the wave offering is described as part of the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons: "Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering. Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the LORD, an offering made by fire to the LORD. Afterward, take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s ordination and wave it before the LORD as a wave offering, and it will be your portion."

Purpose and Significance

The wave offering served multiple purposes within the Israelite sacrificial system:

1. Dedication to God: The act of waving the offering before the Lord symbolized the dedication and presentation of the offering to God. It was a gesture of acknowledgment that all things come from Him and belong to Him.

2. Priestly Provision: The wave offering was given to the priests as their due, providing for their sustenance. Leviticus 7:31-34 states, "The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons. You are to give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from your peace offerings. The son of Aaron who presents the blood and fat of the peace offering shall have the right thigh as a portion. I have taken the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution from the Israelites and given them to Aaron the priest and his sons as a perpetual portion from the Israelites."

3. Symbol of Fellowship: As part of the peace offerings, the wave offering symbolized fellowship and communion between the offerer, the priest, and God. It was a shared meal, representing peace and reconciliation.

Ceremonial Practice

The wave offering involved specific ritual actions. The priest would take the designated portion of the sacrifice, such as the breast or thigh, and wave it before the Lord. This act was performed in the sanctuary, signifying the offering's consecration to God. The physical motion of waving was an expression of offering the sacrifice to God and then receiving it back as a gift for the priesthood.

Theological Implications

The wave offering underscores the principle of divine provision and the sanctity of the priesthood. It highlights the role of the priests as mediators between God and the people, entrusted with the sacred duty of maintaining the covenant relationship. The offering also reflects the broader biblical theme of stewardship, where God's people are called to honor Him with the firstfruits of their labor.

In summary, the wave offering was an integral part of the sacrificial system, serving as a means of worship, provision, and fellowship. It reinforced the covenantal relationship between God, the priests, and the Israelites, emphasizing the holiness and order established by God for His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 29:26-28
And you shall take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be your part.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 7:31,34
And the priest shall burn the fat on the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 8:29
And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.
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Leviticus 10:15
The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be yours, and your sons' with you, by a statute for ever; as the LORD has commanded.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 23:20
And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.
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Numbers 18:11
And this is yours; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in your house shall eat of it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook