- The same generic Hebrew word is used for peace offerings, the Passover lamb, burnt offerings, and sin offerings. The same word is used in Hosea 6:6 (quoted by Matthew 9:13, 12:7) and Psalm 40:6 (quoted by Hebrews 10:5, 8). No argument can be made based on which word was used. The context is the only clue concerning which type of sacrifice is referenced.
- The same Greek word as in Matthew 9:13, 12:7, Hebrews 10:5, 8 is used in the New Testament to describe sin offerings (Hebrews 5:1, 7:27, 8:3, 9:9, 10:1, 10:3, 10:6, 10:11 ), Abel’s sacrifice (Hebrews 11:4). And temple sacrifices (Luke 13:1). Again, no argument can be made based on word choice. The context tells the type.
- The same Greek word is used of:
- Christians (Romans 12:1, Philippians 2:17)
- Jesus (Ephesians 5:2, 1 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 9:23, 9:26, 10:12, 10:26)
- A gift (Philippians 4:18)
- Praise (Hebrews 13:15)
- Doing good and sharing (Hebrews 13:16)
- General Christian activities (1 Peter 2:5)
- When an inspired writer is being poetic or wants to include all types of sacrifices, the phrase “sacrifice and offering” may be used (Hebrews 10:5, 8, quoting Psalm 40:6).
- When Paul brought offerings for himself and four others, the exact type was not specified. If this was part of a Nazirite vow, the offerings were both sin and burnt offerings, perhaps including grain, drink, peace, wave, and heave offerings (Number 6:2 – 21). If the offerings were for some other type of uncleanness, the ritual would include sin and burnt offerings. There is not enough detail in Acts to establish a context. Offering is used in a generic sense.
- The same Greek word as is used for grain offering (Hebrews 10:6, 8) is used for:
- Paul’s offering of the Gentiles (Romans 15:16)
- Jesus (Ephesians 5:2, Hebrews 10:14)
- Offering for sin (Hebrews 10:18)
- Applications of sacrifices made concerning Jesus:
- Yom Kippur (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7)
- Peace and sin offering (Ephesians 5:2)
- Cleansed heaven (Hebrews 9:23)
- Blood atonement (Hebrews 9:25, 10:12)
- Participation (1 Corinthians 10:16 – 21)
- Reminder (1 Corinthians 11:23 – 27)
- Applications of sacrifices made concerning Christians:
- Evangelism (Romans 15:16)
- Praise (Hebrews 13:15)
- Doing good and sharing (Hebrews 13:16, Philippians 4:18)
- General Christian activities (1 Peter 2:5)
- Faith (Philippians 2:17)
- Our bodies (Romans 12:1)
More details on the applications made in the New Testament of the Mosaic sacrificial system:
- Specific comparisons are not made in the New Testament concerning heave or wave offerings.
- Wave offerings are called such because they are waved before God, then given to the priest (Numbers 18:8 – 20). Heave offerings and wave offerings seem to be together. Usually the distinction is by weight (hard to wave a quarter of a calf), but at least once the heave offering is just a loaf of bread (Leviticus 7:14), but it could be a lot of loaves. In one place, only heave offerings are mentioned (Numbers 15:17 – 21), but I can see no distinction. Perhaps wave offerings are sheaves and heave offerings are products.
At Aaron’s ordination (Exodus 29:24 – 28, Leviticus 8:22 – 29)
Peace offering (Leviticus 7:11 – 34, 9:21)
Grain offerings (Leviticus 10:12 – 15)
Cleansing a leper (Leviticus 14:1 – 32)
Feast of Unleavened Bread, firstfruits (Leviticus 23: 6 – 15)
Feast of Pentecost, firstfruits (Leviticus 23:16 – 21)
Adultery test (Numbers 5:23 – 26)
Nazirite (Numbers 6:13 – 20)
- Having no inspired commentary, all I can do is speculate. Wave and heave offerings are, in some cases, first fruits. Jesus, Christians, and the indwelling Spirit are all firstfruits.
Jesus is called a first fruit (1 Corinthians 15:20 – 23)
Christians who die before Judgment are called first fruits (James 1:18, Revelation 14:4)
First converts in a region (Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:15)
We have the first fruits of the Spirit (Romans 8:23)
- The part of the sacrifice that became the portion of the priest was likened to gifts for those who spread the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:13 – 14)