Heave Offering
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Heave Offering in the Bible?
The heave offering, or terumah, was a ritual donation of agricultural produce, such as grain, wine, or oil, given to the Levitical priesthood as their portion of the tithes collected from the Israelite community.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this practice clarifies the economic and social structure of ancient Israel, showing how the priesthood was supported through specific legal mandates regarding food distribution and ritual purity.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Heave Offering. 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 Heave Offering in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Heave Offering 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
"Heave Offering." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/heave-offering/