gifts in the Bible

also known as: presents

The giving of presents was an important affair of common life in the Middle East. The nature of the presents was as various as were the occasions.

The mode of presentation was with as much parade as possible: the presents were conveyed by the hands of servants (Judges 3:18), or still better, on the backs of beasts of burden (2 Kings 8:9).

The refusal of a present was regarded as a high indignity; and this constituted the aggravated insult noticed in Matthew 22:11, the marriage robe having been offered and refused.

Purpose of gifts given in the Bible

The gift of the Holy Spirit

In Acts 2:38 the generic Greek word dorea is translated as “gift.” It differs from the word charisma (1 Corinthians 12:4) as denoting not miraculous powers but the working of a new spirit in men, and that spirit from God.

ALSO SEE

Article Version: August 13, 2021