Libation
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Libation in the Bible?
A libation is a ritual offering of liquid, such as wine, oil, or water, poured out before a deity or sacred object. This practice was integral to ancient Near Eastern worship, serving as a tangible expression of devotion, gratitude, or petition within religious ceremonies.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding libations clarifies the sensory and material dimensions of ancient worship, revealing how physical acts of pouring liquids functioned as primary modes of communication between worshippers and the divine in biblical narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Libation. 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 Libation in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Libation clarify?
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
"Libation." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/libation/