Anything offered up to God by human beings, including sacrificial offerings. A distinction can be made between offerings which involve the taking of life and other gifts made to God.
Sacrificial offerings as a sign of gratitude or repentance
while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing.
Tithes were a regular form of offering
Genesis 28:20–22; Leviticus 27:30 See also Genesis 14:20
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear, so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God. And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”
Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
Part of every harvest was given as a freewill offering to God
As firstfruits: Exodus 22:29; Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 18:4; Nehemiah 10:35; Leviticus 19:23–25 Fruit from a tree could not be eaten until the fifth year; Leviticus 23:38 Extra gifts were offered on the Sabbath.
Offerings and the tabernacle
For its construction
Exodus 25:1–2 parallel Exodus 35:5
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him.
At its dedication
See also Numbers 7:2–3
Offerings and Solomon's temple
David's personal gift
Offerings for upkeep and restoration
In the reign of Joash: 2 Kings 12:4–5; 2 Chronicles 24:8–12; 2 Kings 22:4–6 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:9–11
Offerings and the second temple
Ezra 3:5, Ezra 7:16, Ezra 8:24–30
Offerings and Herod's temple
Mark 12:41–43 parallel Luke 21:1–3 The poor widow was participating in a regular practice; Luke 21:5
Some offerings are not acceptable
Matthew 5:23–24 Offerings are unacceptable unless the worshipper is reconciled to God. See also Genesis 4:3–5 Cain's offering was not accepted on account of his incorrect attitude.Amos 4:4–5; Luke 18:12 Matthew 23:23 parallel Luke 11:42 Meticulous tithing, without mercy or justice, is unacceptable.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Offerings in the future kingdom
From the Gentile nations
Psalm 76:11; Isaiah 18:7; Malachi 1:11
From God's people
Gifts and offerings in the NT
To help the needy
Acts 4:34–35, Acts 11:29–30; 1 Corinthians 16:1–4 In several of his letters Paul mentions the freewill offering he was organising for poor Christians at Jerusalem; Hebrews 13:16
To support God's servants
Offerings of praise
God's people are themselves an offering to God
Jeremiah 2:3; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4
Offerings as ``Corban''
Mark 7:9–13 “Corban” is a technical Jewish religious term, meaning “something dedicated, especially on oath”. What Jesus Christ says implies that once the children had donated the amount they would have spent on their ageing parents for religious purposes, they were no longer responsible for their upkeep.
He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God ), he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.