Bible Dictionary
Wood-offering
The wood-offering was an arrangement in Nehemiah’s time for designated families or districts to supply wood for the altar fire. It helped maintain the continual fire required for temple worship.
Definition
The wood-offering was an arrangement by which designated districts or families supplied wood for the altar. Its purpose was to maintain the altar fire continually, in accordance with the requirement that the fire should not go out.
Biblical Usage
The arrangement is recorded in Nehemiah, where the people cast lots concerning the supply of wood. It served the continuing requirements of Israelite altar worship.
Historical Background
The arrangement appears to have been made in Nehemiah’s time, probably because wood was comparatively scarce. The required supply was assigned to districts by lot.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Neh. 10:34; 13:31). It would seem that in the time of Nehemiah arrangements were made, probably on account of the comparative scarcity of wood, by which certain districts were required, as chosen by lot, to furnish wood to keep the altar fire perpetually burning (Lev. 6:13).