Definition: The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave [it for] a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sonsâ with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 10:15. It's a really important and fascinating passage about how God chooses to bless and reward His people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a special ritual where God specifically chooses to give a huge, overwhelming blessing to a group of Israelites – specifically, the tribe of Benjamin – as a sign of their devotion and faithfulness. It's like a massive, undeniable gift from God. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “The heave shoulder and the wave breast…” : This is a really unusual image. It describes two things that are incredibly large and prominent: Heave Shoulder: Imagine a giant, powerful shoulder being lifted up – it's enormous! Wave Breast: This refers to a very large, flowing breast or covering of flesh – think of a huge, overflowing wave. “…they shall bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat…” : This is the crucial part. The Israelites were required to bring these enormous gifts (called "offerings") to God in a specific way: Fire of the Fat: They had to use a special kind of fire – a fire made from animal fat (like beef or pork). This was a symbolic representation of the sacrifice of Christ. “…to wave [it] for a wave offering before the LORD…” : This is where it gets really significant. They were obligated to create a massive, powerful wave – a huge, flowing display of adoration and worship – before God. It’s like they were making a huge, visible sign of their devotion. “and it shall be thine, and thy sonsâ with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.” : This is the most important part – this is a binding rule that must be followed! It shall be thine, and thy sonsâ with thee: The blessings are specifically for the tribe of Benjamin. It's not just any blessing; it’s a blessing for them . By a statute for ever: This means this blessing is guaranteed to continue forever – it won't stop, it will always be present. It’s like God has made a promise that will last indefinitely. As the LORD hath commanded: This emphasizes that this blessing was given by God himself and is not something humans can create or earn. In essence, this verse describes a powerful blessing that must happen for the tribe of Benjamin to be blessed forever. It’s a demonstration of God's unwavering love and approval. Why is it important? This story is considered one of the most significant in the Old Testament because it illustrates God’s covenant – a special agreement between Him and His people. It shows that God chooses to bless specific groups, and that their loyalty and devotion will be rewarded with enduring blessings. It's a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and his commitment to his people. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to other stories or themes in the Bible? Give an example of what a "wave offering" might look like?