The concept of the wave-offering is rooted in the sacrificial system of ancient Israel as detailed in the Old Testament. The wave-offering is a specific type of offering that is characterized by the ceremonial act of waving a portion of the sacrifice before the LORD. This act symbolizes the presentation and dedication of the offering to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision.

Biblical References and Description

The wave-offering is primarily mentioned in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. It is often associated with peace offerings, grain offerings, and the consecration of priests. The Hebrew term for wave-offering is "tenufah," which signifies the act of waving or lifting up.

In Exodus 29:24, during the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, the wave-offering is described: "Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering." This passage highlights the role of the wave-offering in the ordination of the priesthood, symbolizing the dedication of the priests to God's service.

Leviticus 7:30-31 provides further insight into the wave-offering: "With his own hands he is to bring the offerings made by fire to the LORD. He shall bring the fat with the breast, and wave the breast as a wave offering before the LORD. The priest is to burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons." Here, the wave-offering is part of the peace offerings, where the breast of the sacrificial animal is waved before the LORD and then given to the priests as their portion.

The wave-offering is also associated with the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, as described in Leviticus 23:20: "The priest shall wave them, together with the bread of the firstfruits, as a wave offering before the LORD; they are holy to the LORD for the priest." This offering signifies the dedication of the firstfruits of the harvest to God, acknowledging His provision and blessing.

Theological Significance

The wave-offering holds deep theological significance within the sacrificial system. It represents the acknowledgment of God's ownership over all creation and the worshiper's dependence on Him. By waving the offering, the Israelites demonstrated their gratitude and submission to God's will.

Moreover, the wave-offering served as a means of consecration and sanctification. In the context of the priestly ordination, it symbolized the setting apart of individuals for holy service. In the context of the peace offerings, it emphasized the communal aspect of worship, where both the priests and the offerer shared in the blessings of the sacrifice.

Christological Foreshadowing

From a Christian perspective, the wave-offering can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Just as the wave-offering was lifted before the LORD, Christ was lifted up on the cross as the perfect and final offering for sin. His resurrection and ascension further fulfill the symbolism of the wave-offering, as He was lifted up to the Father, securing eternal redemption for believers.

In summary, the wave-offering is a multifaceted component of the Old Testament sacrificial system, rich in symbolism and theological depth. It underscores themes of dedication, consecration, and communal worship, while also pointing forward to the redemptive work of Christ.8573. tenuphah -- a swinging, waving, wave offering, offering
... a swinging, waving, wave offering, offering NASB Word Usage brandishing weapons
(1), offered by waving (2), offering (1), wave offering (24), wave offerings (1 ...
/hebrew/8573.htm - 6k

Dialogue Between a Gentleman and a Shepherd.
... Then worshipping god, presenting flowers, lighted wave offerings, offerings of money,
of ornaments, votive offerings, and consecrated cattle; persons who give ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter five dialogue between a.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Vulgate. See Versions, Latin. W. Wave-offerings, 601. Whale, 339. Wilderness,
sojourn in the, 234. Wisdom, apocryphal book of, 356. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

Wave-offerings (1 Occurrence)
Wave-offerings. Wave-offering, Wave-offerings. Waver . Multi-Version
Concordance Wave-offerings (1 Occurrence). Numbers ...
/w/wave-offerings.htm - 6k

Contributions (19 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 10:37 and that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, and our wave
offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, the new wine and the oil ...
/c/contributions.htm - 12k

Wave (65 Occurrences)
...Waveofferings. ... (WEB). Numbers 18:11 "This is yours, too: the wave offering of their
gift, even all the waveofferings of the children of Israel. ...
/w/wave.htm - 30k

Perpetual (57 Occurrences)
... Numbers 18:8 Yahweh spoke to Aaron, "I, behold, I have given you the command of
my waveofferings, even all the holy things of the children of Israel; to you ...
/p/perpetual.htm - 28k

Regular (95 Occurrences)
... Numbers 18:8 Yahweh spoke to Aaron, "I, behold, I have given you the command of
my waveofferings, even all the holy things of the children of Israel; to you ...
/r/regular.htm - 37k

Tithes (23 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 10:37 and that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, and our wave
offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, the new wine and the oil ...
/t/tithes.htm - 14k

Chambers (68 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 10:37 and that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, and our wave
offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, the new wine and the oil ...
/c/chambers.htm - 30k

Portion (227 Occurrences)
... Numbers 18:8 Yahweh spoke to Aaron, "I, behold, I have given you the command of
my waveofferings, even all the holy things of the children of Israel; to you ...
/p/portion.htm - 41k

Waver (8 Occurrences)

/w/waver.htm - 9k

Wave-offering (22 Occurrences)
Wave-offering. Wave-loaves, Wave-offering. Wave-offerings . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Wave-loaves, Wave-offering. Wave-offerings . Reference Bible.
/w/wave-offering.htm - 13k

What is a wave offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is a heave offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Feast of Weeks? | GotQuestions.org

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