📖 Biblical Definition
The drink offering (nesek) was a libation of wine poured out before the LORD as an accompaniment to the daily burnt offerings, Sabbath offerings, and festival sacrifices. It was never offered alone but always in conjunction with other sacrifices, representing the joy and completeness of worship. "And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb" (Numbers 15:5). The drink offering was entirely consumed -- poured out completely, with nothing retained. This total outpouring is the image Paul uses when he describes his own death: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand" (2 Timothy 4:6), using the Greek spendomai -- "I am being poured out as a drink offering." Christ Himself poured out His soul unto death (Isaiah 53:12), the ultimate drink offering.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
A libation; an offering of wine poured out in worship.
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DRINK-OFFERING. Webster 1828 does not contain a standalone entry for "drink-offering." Under LIBATION, Webster defines it as "The act of pouring a liquor, usually wine, either on the ground, or on a victim in sacrifice, in honor of some deity." The biblical drink offering was specifically wine poured out before the LORD at the altar, always accompanying the burnt and grain offerings, never offered independently.
📖 Key Scripture
• Numbers 15:5 — "And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice."
• Philippians 2:17 — "Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all."
• 2 Timothy 4:6 — "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand."
• Isaiah 53:12 — "He hath poured out his soul unto death."
• Genesis 35:14 — "And Jacob set up a pillar... and he poured a drink offering thereon."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
The drink offering is either ignored or reduced to cultural artifact.
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Modern Christianity largely ignores the drink offering, failing to recognize its profound typological significance. The drink offering was the only offering that was completely poured out -- nothing was eaten by priests or worshipers. This total self-giving is precisely the image the Holy Spirit chose through Paul to describe martyrdom and sacrificial ministry. When Paul says he is being "poured out as a drink offering" (Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6), he is drawing on the richest possible Old Testament imagery of total consecration. Furthermore, Christ's pouring out of His soul unto death (Isaiah 53:12) and His blood of the new covenant poured out for many (Matthew 26:28) fulfill the drink offering in its ultimate sense. To treat these as mere metaphors without Levitical grounding is to miss the typological unity of Scripture.
Usage
• "Paul described his impending martyrdom as being 'poured out as a drink offering' -- complete, unreserved, joyful self-giving in service to Christ."
• "The drink offering was never consumed by man; it was entirely for God. So Christ poured out His blood completely -- not partially, not reluctantly, but wholly unto death."