A) FIRST, THE RULES.

B) THE NEW TESTAMENT (CHRIST OUR SACRIFICE).

C) THE BURNT-OFFERING(S).

D) THE DRINK OFFERING(S).

E) THE FREEWILL-OFFERINGS.

F) THE HEAVE-OFFERING(S).

G) THE MEAL-OFFERING.

H) THE MEAT OFFERINGS.

I) THE PASSOVER OFFERINGS.

J) THE PEACE-OFFERING(S).

K) THE THANK-OFFERINGS.

L) TRESPASS-OFFERING.

M) THE SIN-OFFERING(S).

N) THE WAVE OFFERING(S).

O) THE WOOD OFFERING(S).

 

 

A) FIRST, THE RULES

 

 

Rule Number One (High Priest Only):  Leviticus 21:21:  No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire:  he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.

 

Rule Number Two:  The clear statement made in Numbers 15:30 submits that sins done with a “high hand,” i.e., in rebellion against the covenant and its provisions, can have no redeeming sacrifice.  However, Romans 8:1 states:  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

 

Rule Number Three:  All animal sacrifices must be eight days old or older (Lev. 22:27).

 

Rule Number Four:  All offerings had to be salted (Lev. 2:13; Eze. 43:24; Mark 9:49).

 

Rule Number Five:  All offerings were not to be left until the morning (must be eaten or disposed of; Exo. 23:18; 34:25).

 

 

B) THE NEW TESTAMENT (CHRIST OUR SACRIFICE)

 

 

New Testament Use:  The Greek word for “offering” is “prosphora.”  It describes the death of Christ, once in Ephesians 5:2, and 5 times in Hebrews (Heb. 10:5 & 8 & 10 & 14 & 18).  The Greek verb “prosphero,” meaning, “to offer,” is also used, and we find it 15 times in Hebrews (Heb. 5:1 & 3; 8:3 & 4; 9:7 & 14 & 25 & 28; 10:1 & 8, 11 & 12; 11:4).

 

The Greek word for “blood” is, “haima.”  When used in reference of Christ it is said to secure redemption or salvation.  Here is that use:  6 times in (Rom. 3:25; 5:9; 1Co. 10:16; Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Col. 1:20); 3 times in Hebrews (Heb. 9:12 & 14; 10:19); and 2 times in First Peter (1Pe. 1:2 & 19).

 

Jesus never attacks the sacrificial system.  He even takes for granted that the Jews should offer sacrifices (Mat. 5:24) and even commands that the Old Testament sacrificial services should be followed (Mat. 8:4).  However, there is no record that Jesus Himself ever worshipped by offering the regular sacrifices other than eating it at Passover meals.

 

In Acts 21:26, we see Paul still holding on to the Jewish sacrificial system.  However, by the time Paul wrote the Book of Hebrews, we can see that he is clear that Christ has replaced that sacrificial system by His death (Heb. 5:5; 10:1-11).  Also, Paul identifies Christ as being a sin offering in Romans 8:3 and Second Corinthians 5:21.

 

In the “Synoptic Gospels,” there are two unmistakable references by Jesus Himself as to His death being the sacrifice which will replace the Old Testament sacrificial system (Mark 10:45; parallel Mat. 20:28).

 

 

C) THE BURNT-OFFERING(S):  240 Verses.

 

 

That this offering was a clear representation of our Lord’s sacrifice, see Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 10:8-10.  The Law of the “burnt offerings” is found in Leviticus, Chapter One.  The Hebrew words for “burnt offerings” is “olah olah,” which literally means, “what ascends.”  It is the highest form of offering.  Whereas -- for example -- the “meat offerings” (not flesh; but flour, etcetera), “peace offerings,” and “thank offerings” were un-bloody offerings, and as such, not as prominent.  Thus, only when we are first reconciled by Christ’s atonement for our sin to God can we “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,” Romans 12:1.  In a side note, the Hebrew word “Kalil” stands for “whole burnt offering.”

 

There was to be a daily “burnt offering,” two lambs of the first year, one for the morning service and one for the evening service (Exo. 29:38-42); accompanied with a “meal offering.”  However, on the Sabbath Day the offering was doubled (Num. 28:9-10).  It was also to be offered upon the first day of the month (Num. 28:11).

 

The “meat offering” (flour and oil, fruits of the earth) usually accompanied the “burnt offering” (Lev. 9:16-17); for when men dedicated themselves wholly to God, they also dedicated the earthly gifts that He had given them.

 

The “burnt offering” could only be offered by one free from sin; therefore the “sin offering” always came first (see Exo. 29:36-38; Lev. 8:14 [sin offering first]; then Lev. 8:18; Lev. 9:8 [sin offering first]; then Lev. 9:12; Lev. 16:3[sin offering first]; then Lev. 16:5).

 

The “burnt offering” was the most ancient of all sacrifices (Gen. 4:4; 8:20; 22:2 & 13; Job 1:5).  It was to be taken from one’s own herd (Lev. 1:2); or if poor a “turtledove or young pigeon,” Leviticus 1:14; but you still had to catch your own.  The individual had to place their hands personally upon the offering (Lev. 1:4; Num. 8:12) in order for the transference of sins, thus making it an acceptable offering for sin.  Plus, the person who brought it was required to kill it himself, if a beast (Lev. 1:5 & 11); but killed by the priest if a bird (Lev. 1:15).

 

The Sacrifice itself had to be a male without blemish (Lev. 1:3; 22:19).  The offering must be presented at “the door of the tabernacle” (Lev. 1:3; Deu. 12:6 & 11 & 14), which was just inside to the right, or Northern end, but not past the Brazen Alter.  Once killed by the sinner, only the priests could officially make the offering (Lev. 1:9; Eze. 44:15), and it was to be entirely burned (Lev. 1:8 & 9 & 12 & 13; 6:9).

 

In the “burnt offering” service, blood was to be sprinkled upon the “Brazen Alter” (Lev. 1:5 & 11), except for the bird’s blood was wrung out at the side of the “Brazen Altar” (Lev. 1:15).  The ashes were conveyed outside of the camp (Lev. 6:11).  At the beginning of the month, the “burnt offering,” along with any “peace offerings,” were to be accompanied with music (Num. 10:10).

 

It was to be accompanied with “leavened bread” and not left until the morning (Exo. 23:18; 34:25).

 

In an interesting side note, the skin was given to the priests for clothing (Lev. 7:8).  This is a clear indication that Adam and Eve were given the skins after their first sacrifice (Gen. 3:21).

 

Other occasions were on the seven days of unleavened bread (Num. 28:19 & 24); the day of atonement (Lev. 16:3 & 5; Num. 29:8); at consecration of the Levites (Num. 8:12) and priests (Lev. 9:2 & 12-14) and kings (1Ch. 29:21-23); at the purification of women (Lev. 12:6); for Nazarites after any defilement or at the end of their vow (Num. 6:11 & 14); for a leper that was healed (Lev. 14:13 & 19 & 20); at the dedication of sacred places (Num. 7:15; 1Ki. 8:64); after great mercies (1Sa. 6:14; 2Sa. 24:22 & 25); before going to war (1Sa. 7:9); and on special occasions (see the list in Num. 10:10) it was to be accompanied with trumpets (ibid.).

 

 

D) THE DRINK OFFERING(S):  60 Verses.

 

 

The Hebrew for “drink offering” is “Nesekh,” which can also mean, “libation.”  It usually accompanied the “olah olah” (Burnt Offering), but was more often accompanied with the “peace offerings.”   At all set feasts the “drink offerings” must be presented (Lev. 23:13 & 18 & 37).  According to Jewish “tradition” it could be water, but was usually wine (usually fermented) of some kind (see Lev. 23:13 & Num. 15:7; 28:7-8 for examples).

 

In a side note, Deuteronomy 32:38 shows that “drink offerings” were common among the heathen.

 

 

E) THE FREEWILL-OFFERINGS:  9 Verses.

 

 

The Hebrew for “freewill offering” is “zebhah hedhabhah.”  Wine and oil must accompany all “freewill offerings” (Num. 15:4 & 5 & 7 & 10 & 24; 28:9-10).  It was a spontaneous gift (Exo. 35:29), or a voluntary sacrifice (Lev. 22:23; Ezra 3:5), as opposed to one in consequence of a vow, or in expiation of some offense.  The “freewill & thank offerings” needed to be accompanied with leaven (Lev. 7:13; Amos 4:5).  If a vow was made, this offering must be made (Deu. 23:23).

 

 

F) THE HEAVE-OFFERING(S):  20 Verses.

 

 

The Hebrew for “heave offering” is “Tenumah.”  “Heave offerings” were parts of “peace & wave offerings.”  The offering consisted of the right shoulder or thigh of the animal and was given to the priest and his family as part of their compensation (Lev. 7:32, 34; 10:14; Num. 5:9; 18:10-19 & 24).  One cake of the “peace offering” must be “an heave offering,” Leviticus 7:14.  The “heave offering” must be eaten in a clean place (Lev. 7:14, i.e., “whole oblation”) by the priest’s family only (Lev. 10:15).  Of the Nazirite’s offering the “heave shoulder” also went to the priest (Num. 6:20; for the Nazirite vow see the entire Chapter).

 

The Levites were to receive a tithe of the “heave offerings” from the people (Num. 18:24), and they were in turn to offer up a tithe of this to the priests (Num. 18:26-32).  From “Easton’s Bible Commentary,” we learn:  “Some of the rabbis attach to the word the meaning of elevation, and refer it to the heave offering, which consisted in presenting the offering by a motion up and down, distinguished from the wave offering, which consisted in a repeated movement in a horizontal direction, a ‘wave offering to the Lord as ruler of earth, a heave offering to the Lord as ruler of Heaven.’  The right shoulder, which fell to the priests in presenting thank offerings, was called the “heave shoulder” (Lev. 7:34; Num. 6:20).  The first fruits offered in harvest-time (Num. 15:20, Num. 15:21) were “heave offerings.”

 

 

G) THE MEAL-OFFERING:  One Verse.

 

 

Numbers 5:15:  “Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal [“meal offering”]; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.”

 

The term “meal offering” is confined to offerings of flour or meal, etcetera.  The Hebrew word used is “qemach,” which means, “to grind; flour; meal.”

 

 

H) THE MEAT OFFERINGS:  123 Verses.

 

 

The “meat offering” (flour and oil, fruits of the earth), not meaning flesh food,  usually accompanied the “burnt offering” (Lev. 9:16-17).  It was presented every day with the “burnt offering” (see Exo. 29:40 & 41), and the “drink offering.”  The law requiring “meat offerings” is found in Leviticus, Chapter 2, and Leviticus 6:14-23.  According to Jewish “tradition” it consisted of flour or of cakes prepared in a special way with oil and frankincense.

 

The Hebrew word for “meat offering” is “Minhah,” which describes a gift or token of friendship as in Isaiah 39:1; an act of homage in First Samuel 10:27 & First Kings 10:25; tribute in Judges 3:15 & 17; propitiation to a friend wronged in Genesis 32:13 & 18 (see also Hebrew 14:19), and to procure favor or assistance in Genesis 43:11 (see also Hos. 10:6).

 

It was to be eaten in the Holy Place (Lev. 10:13; Num. 18:9-10).  It was not to have any leaven (Lev. 2:4 & 11; 6:14-18; 10:12-13; Num. 6:15 & 17).  It is considered a “most holy” offering.  Let’s read Leviticus 6:17, for there is much to be learned there:  “It shall not be baken with leaven.  I have given it unto them for their portion of My offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.”

 

It consisted of fine flour (Lev. 2:1); unleavened cakes baked in the oven (Lev. 2:4); fine flour baked in a pan (Lev. 2:5 & 7); green ears of corn parched (Lev. 2:14); barley meal (Num. 5:15); used with oil and (frank)incense (Lev. 2:1 & 4 & 15); when for jealousy, made without oil or incense (Num. 5:15); always seasoned with salt (Lev. 2:13); never used with leaven (Lev. 2:11; 6:17).

 

 

I) THE PASSOVER OFFERINGS:  3 Consecutive Verses.

 

 

This offering is described in Second Chronicles 35:7-9:  “[7] And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king’s substance. (8) And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites:  Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen. (9) Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.”

 

 

J) THE PEACE-OFFERING(S):  84 Verses.

 

 

The “peace offerings” were parts of the “heave & wave offerings.”  The Hebrew for “peace offering” is the generally used in plural form, “Shelem, shelamim,” with the singular form, “Shelem, shelem” only being used once in Amos 5:22.  These were sacrifices of friendship expressing or promoting peaceful relations with the Deity, and almost invariably accompanied by a meal or feast.  It was an occasion of great joy.

 

It was sometimes called “zebhahim,” sometimes “Zebhah Shelamim,” and was of different kinds, such as “zebhah ha-todhah,” meaning “thank offerings,” which expressed the gratitude of the giver because of some blessings received.  Also called “zebhah hedhabhah,” meaning “free-will offerings,” being bestowed on Deity from out of a full heart.  It was also called “zebhah nedher,” meaning for “votive offerings,” which were offered in fulfillment of a vow.

 

For most of the laws concerning the “peace offerings” (see Exo. 29:19-22 & 31; Lev. 7:11-15 & 18; 9:3-4 & 15-21; 23:19; Num. 6:14; 10:10).  From “Eaton’s Bible Commentary” we learn:  “detailed regulations regarding given in Lev. 3; Lev. 7:11-21, Lev. 7:29-34.  They were of three kinds,

(1.) Eucharist or thanksgiving offerings, expressive of gratitude for blessings received;

(2.) in fulfillment of a vow, but expressive also of thanks for benefits received; and

(3.) free-will offerings, something spontaneously devoted to God.”

 

It could be offered with either a male or female from the “herd” (“oxen or cattle” Lev. 3:1 & 6 & 12).  It generally was accompanied by a “burnt offering” (Jud. 21:4; 1Sa. 10:8; 1Ki. 3:15); and often accompanied by a “sin offering” (Lev. 23:19) and a “thank offering” (Lev. 7:12-13).

 

In a side note, if a person was unclean for any reason, he was to be killed for eating the “peace offering” (Lev. 7:20-21).  Are you ready to partake of communion now?

 

 

K) THE THANK-OFFERINGS:  2 Verses.

 

 

See “Freewill Offerings.”  For most of the laws concerning the “thank offerings,” they are discussed along with the “freewill offerings” in Leviticus 7:11-15; 22:29; Deuteronomy 12:11-12.

 

 

L) TRESPASS-OFFERING:  33 Verses.

 

 

Mostly covered by Leviticus 5:14 through Leviticus 6:7; also, in Numbers 5:5-8.  The Hebrew word for “trespass” is, “ ‘Asham,” literally meaning, “guilt offering,” but is generally translated, “trespass offering.”  It is closely related to the “sin offering” (see also “meat offering”).  It was mostly esteemed as a “sin offering” and frequently is so called (examples:  Lev. 5:6 & 9).

 

For most of the laws concerning the “trespass offering” see Lev. 6:1-7; 7:1-7; 14:10-22; 15:15 & 29-30; 19:21-22; Num. 6:12; Ezra 10:19.  It was to be eaten by the priests (Lev. 7:6-7; 14:13; Num. 18:9-10).  The idea of sin as a “debt” pervades this legislation.  The offering was always a “ram” and was offered in cases where sins were more private.

 

It was to be offered when one was concealing knowledge of a crime (Lev. 5:1); for involuntarily touching unclean things (Lev. 5:2-3); for rash swearing (Lev. 5:4); for sins of ignorance in holy things (Lev. 5:15); for any sin of ignorance (Lev. 5:17); for breach of a trust or fraud (Lev. 6:2-5).  It was a “most holy offering” (Lev. 14:13).

 

It consisted of a “she lamb” or “kid” (Lev. 5:6); or a ram without blemish (Lev. 5:15; 6:6); or two turtle doves by those unable to bring a lamb (the poor; Lev. 5:7-10); or a “meat offering,” which is “food/flour,” by the very poor (Lev. 5:11-13).

 

It was designed for minor offences and was lessened for the poor.  Not true for the “sin offering” portion of it (see Lev. 4:1-5:19).  Other special occasions for this offering were for the cleansing of a leper (Lev. 14:2 & 12-14 & 21 & 22); for purification of women (Lev. 12:6-8); for purification of those with issues (Lev. 15:14-15); for purification of Nazarites who had broken their vow (Num. 6:12); and for connection with a betrothed bondmaid (Lev. 19:20-22).

 

For illustrations of Christ in this offering see Isaiah 53:10 & Exekiel 46:20.

 

 

M) THE SIN-OFFERING(S):  108 Verses.

 

 

See “Trespass Offering.”  The ceremonial of the “sin offering” is described in Leviticus, Chapters 5 and 6, and is connected to the “trespass offering.”  The Hebrew for “sin offering” is “Hataah, hattath.”  This Law is described and given in detail in Leviticus 4-6:13; 9:7-11 & 22-24; 12:6-8; 14:19 & 31; 15:2 & 14 & 25-30; Numbers 6:10-14.

 

On the “Day of Atonement,” it was made with special solemnity (Lev. 16:5 & 11 & 15).  The blood was then carried into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the “Mercy Seat.”  “Sin offerings” were also presented at the five annual festivals (Numbers, Chapters 28 & 29), and on the occasion of the consecration of the priests (Exo. 29:10-14 & 36).  As each individual, even the most private (not generally known; suddenly discovered; just figured out he had sinned) member of the congregation, as well as the congregation at large, and the high priest, was obliged, on being convicted by his conscience of any particular sin, to come with a “sin offering.”

 

So to break it down, “sin offerings” were offered for sins of ignorance (Lev. 4:2 & 13 & 22 & 27); at the consecration of priests (Exo. 29:10 & 14; Lev. 8:14); at the consecration of Levites (Num. 8:8); at the expiration of a Nazarite vow (Num. 6:14); on the “Day of Atonement” (Lev. 16:3 & 9).

 

It consisted of a young bullock for priests (Lev. 4:3; 9:2 & 8; 16:3 & 6); a young bullock or he-goat for the congregation (Lev. 4:14; 16:9; 2Ch. 29:23); a male kid for a ruler (Lev. 4:23); a female kid or female lamb for a private person (Lev. 4:28 & 32).

 

The sins of the offender were transferred to the offering by imposition of hands to the sacrifice (Lev. 4:4 & 15 & 24 & 29; 2Ch. 29:23).  It was killed in the same place as the “burnt offering” (Lev. 4:24; 6:25).

 

The representation of the blood was for a priest or for the congregation, brought by the priest into the tabernacle (Lev. 4:5 & 16); for a priest or for the congregation, sprinkled seven times before the Lord, outside the vail, by the priest with his finger (Lev. 4:6 & 17); for a priest of for the congregation, put upon the horns of the altar of “Burnt Offering” by the priest with his finger (Lev. 4:25 & 30); and “in every case” poured at the foot of the “Altar of Burnt Offering” (Lev. 4:7; 18:25 & 30; Lev. 9:9); but the fat of the inside and kidneys were burned on the “Altar of Burnt Offering” (Lev. 4:8-10 & 19 & 26 & 31; 9:10); also when for a priest or the congregation, the skin and carcass were burned without the camp (Lev. 4:11 & 12 & 21; 6:30; 9:11); it was eaten by the priests in a holy place (not The), when its blood had not been brought into the tabernacle (Lev. 6:26 & 29 & 30).  And not lastly, it was a type of Christ’s Sacrifice (2Co. 5:21; Heb. 13:11-13).

 

 

N) THE WAVE OFFERING(S):  14 Verses.

 

 

The Hebrew for “wave offering” is “Tenuphah.”  The “wave offerings” were parts of the “peace & heave offerings.”  For most of the laws concerning the “wave offering” see Exo. 29:22 & 26-28; Leviticus 7:29-34; 8:25-29; 9:19-21; 10:14-15; 23:10-11 & 17-20; Numbers 5:25; 6:19-20.  It belonged to the priests (Exo. 29:26-28; Lev. 7:31 & 34; 8:29; 9:21; 23:20; Num. 18:11 & 18).

 

The “wave offerings” were parts of the “peace offerings,” or accompanied them, and were so called because they were waived by the priests (Exo. 29:24 & 26 & 27; Lev. 7:20-34; 8:27; 9:21; 10:14 & 15, etcetera).  They then became the property of the priests.

 

The “first fruits” were a sheaf of barley, offered at the “Feast of Pentecost” (Lev. 23:17-20).  “Wheat bread” was the “first fruits” of the second harvest, which was offered at the “Passover” (Lev. 23:10-14), accompanied with “wave offerings.”  It also consisted of using the right shoulder, which is the choicest part of the victim, because it was “heaved” or raised, and waved and eaten by the worshipper (Exo. 29:24 & 28; Lev. 7:30 & 34; 8:27; 9:21; 10:14-15; 23:10 & 15 & 20; Num. 6:20; 18:11 & 18; 26-29; etcetera).

 

 

O) THE WOOD OFFERING(S):  2 Verses.

 

 

See Nehemiah 10:34 & 13:31.

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