Bible Dictionary
Wave Offering
A wave offering was a portion of an offering ceremonially waved before the Lord. In peace offerings the breast was waved and then given to the priests, signifying presentation to God and fellowship in the covenant meal.
Definition
A wave offering was a portion of a sacrifice ceremonially waved before the Lord. In peace offerings, the breast was waved and then eaten by the worshipper, while the right shoulder was raised and reserved for the priest.
Biblical Usage
The rite accompanied peace offerings, which represented a ratified covenant and communion between God and man. The waving signified solemn presentation to God before the designated portion was eaten.
Historical Background
Wave offerings belonged to the sacrificial system and were closely associated with the complementary rite of heaving or raising an offering.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
This rite, together with that of “heaving” or “raising” the offering was an inseparable accompaniment of peace offerings. In such the right shoulder, considered the choicest part of the victim, was to be (“heaved,” and viewed as holy to the Lord, only eaten therefore by the priest: the breast was to be “waved,” and eaten by the worshipper. The scriptural notices of these rites are to be found in (Exodus 29:24,28; Leviticus 7:30,34; 8:27; 9:21; 10:14,15; 23:10,15,20; Numbers 6:20; 18:11,18,26-29) etc. In conjecturing the meaning of this rite, regard must be had that it was the accompaniment of peace offerings, which were witnesses to a ratified covenant—an established communion between God and man.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>wav of'-er-ing.</p><p>See SACRIFICE.</p>