Topical Encyclopedia The Wave Offering is a significant ritual in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites. This offering is characterized by the unique action of waving a portion of the sacrifice before the Lord, symbolizing the presentation and dedication of the offering to God. The Hebrew term for wave offering is "tenufah," which conveys the idea of a movement back and forth.Biblical References and Instructions The concept of the wave offering is introduced in the book of Exodus and further elaborated in Leviticus and Numbers. In Exodus 29:24-26, the wave offering is part of the consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests. The passage states: "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." Leviticus provides more detailed instructions regarding the wave offering. In Leviticus 7:30-34, the wave offering is described as a portion of the peace offerings: "With his own hands he is to bring the offerings made by fire to the LORD. He shall bring the fat together 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." The wave offering is also associated with the Feast of Weeks, as described in Leviticus 23:20: "The priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before the LORD, together with the two lambs. They are to be holy to the LORD for the priest." Purpose and Symbolism The wave offering served multiple purposes within the sacrificial system. It was an act of worship and dedication, symbolizing the offerer's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision. By waving the offering, the Israelites demonstrated their willingness to present their gifts to God, recognizing Him as the source of all blessings. The wave offering also had a communal aspect, as portions of the offering were often given to the priests for their sustenance. This act reinforced the relationship between the worshipers and the priesthood, highlighting the role of the priests as mediators between God and His people. Theological Significance From a theological perspective, the wave offering underscores the importance of giving back to God from what He has provided. It reflects the principle of stewardship and the acknowledgment that all things belong to God. The wave offering also prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as the perfect High Priest, offered Himself as a once-for-all sacrifice, fulfilling the requirements of the Old Testament sacrificial system. In the New Testament, while the specific practice of the wave offering is not continued, the principles it embodies—dedication, thanksgiving, and recognition of God's provision—remain central to Christian worship and life. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Wave OfferingWAVE OFFERING wav of'-er-ing. Smith's Bible Dictionary Wave OfferingThis rite, together with that of "heaving" or "raising" the offering was an inseparable accompaniment of peace offerings. In such the right shoulder, considered the choicest part of the victim, was to be ("heaved," and viewed as holy to the Lord, only eaten therefore by the priest: the breast was to be "waved," and eaten by the worshipper. The scriptural notices of these rites are to be found in (Exodus 29:24,28; Leviticus 7:30,34; 8:27; 9:21; 10:14,15; 23:10,15,20; Numbers 6:20; 18:11,18,26-29) etc. In conjecturing the meaning of this rite, regard must be had that it was the accompaniment of peace offerings, which were witnesses to a ratified covenant --an established communion between God and man. Strong's Hebrew 8573. tenuphah -- a swinging, waving, wave offering, offering... tenuphah. 8574 . a swinging, waving, wave offering, offering. Transliteration: tenuphah Phonetic Spelling: (ten-oo-faw') Short Definition: offering. ... /hebrew/8573.htm - 6k Library Blessed be that Child, who Gladdened Bethlehem To-Day! A Reformer's Schooling A Strain of Jonah the Prophet. Gethsemane, the Oil-Press The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn ... Index of First Lines. The Day of Atonement Jehovah-Jireh The General Resurrection Letter cxviii. To Julian. Resources What were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is hyper-grace? | GotQuestions.org Is it possible to be Christian and pro-choice at the same time? | GotQuestions.org Wave: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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