Daily Sacrifice
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Daily Sacrifice in the Bible?
The daily sacrifice, known as the Tamid, consisted of two year-old lambs offered on the altar of the Temple in Jerusalem. These rituals occurred twice daily, once at dawn and once in the evening, on behalf of the entire community.
SIGNIFICANCE
In the Book of Daniel, the disruption of this ritual signifies a profound political and religious crisis involving the desecration of the Temple. It serves as a key marker for identifying periods of foreign occupation and cultural conflict in ancient Judea.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Daily Sacrifice. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Daily Sacrifice in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Daily Sacrifice clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Daily Sacrifice." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/daily-sacrifice/