GifFen, David Flcd vax, was born at Sneek. He belonged to an honorable family. Following the bent of his own mind, though in opposition to the wishes of his relatives, he devoted himself to the study of theology, which he pursued at the University of Harderwvk. In 1674 he became pastor of the Ee- formed church at Wykell. He fully embraced the views of Cocccius. The sentiments which he held he boldly proclaimed. He did not, however, blend the Cartesian philosophy A^-ith his Cocceian sentiments, hut gave a practical direction and tendency to his in- terpretations of the Scriptures, and f^ven to those of the propliecies, to whose elucidatiim he devoted special attention. To him, and his followers and successors of the same school, was applied the epithet serious, in distinction from those who were denominated Lcyden Cocceians. His Cocceianism excited the prejudice and opposition of many to his preaching during the early part of his ministry, and involved him in un- pleasant ecclesiastical proceedings. Finalh', all fur- ther ecclesiastical and civil proceedings against him were prohibited by the States of Friesland, to which he had appealed. He died in 1701. An edition of his works was given to the public bj' professor A. Voget in 1735, under the title Verzameling van alle de Wercken, nagelaten en viigegenen van den hooggekerden en god- vnichtigen heer David Flud van Giff'cn (Groningen, 1735). See Glasius, Godgeleerd Nederland, i D., biz. 522 en verv. ; H. Bouman, Geschiedenis der Gedersche Hnoge- schnol, ii D., biz. 45 (Utrecht, 1844, 1847) ; A. Ypeij en J. Dorniout, Gesrhiedtnis der Nederlandsche Htrvormde Kerk, ii D., biz. 516 en verv. (J. P. W.)
Gift, the rendering of seven Heb. and four Greek terms (with their variations from the same root) in the A. v., besides being the import of others differently rendered. Several of these have a distinct and spe- cial meaning, indicative of the relation of giver and receiver, or of the motive and object of the presenta- tion. They are as follows :
1. Properly and simply 'IT'"?, mattan' , a gratuity (Prov. xix, G), to secure favor (Prov. xviii, 10; xxi, 14), in religious thankfulness (Numb, xviii, 11), or in dowry (Gen. iv, 12). From the same root ("^3, na- ihan, to bestow, in the widest sense) are also "^Sfl"?, matlawth' , a present, e. g. a divine bestowal (Psa. Ixviii, 18), in charity (Esth. ix, 22), in religious conse- cration (Exod. xxviii,38; Lev. xxiii, 38 ;,Numb. xviii, 6, 7, 29; Deut. xvi, 17;'Ezek. xx, 26, 31, 30), in in- heritance (Gen. XXV, G; 2 Chron. xxi, 3; Ezek. xlvi,
16, 17), or as a brihe (Prov. xv, 27 ; Eccles. vi, 7) ; with its corresponding Chald. niR'^, matttnah' , e. g. a royal bounty (Dan. ii, 6,48; v, 17); and the synonymous rln^, mattath' , e. g. a reward (as rendered in 1 Kings xiii, 7) or fee (Prov. xxv, 14), or simple conferment (Eccles. iii, 13; v, 19) or contribution (Ezek. xlvi, 5, 11). From the same root likewise the Xethinim (sc. given, i. e. consecrated. Numb, viii, 19).
2. From the root S'l'i, nasa', to raise, in the " Piel" sense of aiding, sc. by a gift, come rNw"C, maseth' , pe- cuniary assistance (Esth. ii, 18; elsewhere in various altered significations, and with different renderings) ; and rXvi53, nisseth, a jnxsent in token of respect (2 Sam. xix, 42). Perhaps the inherent idea of these terms, however, is rather that of oblation to a superior, i. e. ' honorary gift ; hence the former is also used of a dish (f honor sent to special guests (''mess," xliii, 34; 2 Sam. xi, 8), and of a tax or fixed contribution towards the sanctuarj- ("collection," 2 Chron. xxiv, G, 9), or voluntaiy first-fruits oft'ered (" oblation," Ezek. xx, 40); like the cognate X'i'p, jnassa' ("tribute," 2 Chron. xvii, 11).
3. More distinctly in the sense of a votive offering is iinp"::, minchah' , an oblation or propitiatory gift (2 Sam. viii, 2, 6 ; 1 Chron. xviii, 2, 6 ; 2 Chron. xxvi, 8 ; xxxii, 23 ; Psa. xlv, 12 ; " present," Gen. xxxii, 13, 18, 20, 21; xxxiii, 10; xliii, 11, 15, 25, 26; Judg. iii, 15, 17, 18 ; vi, 18 ; 1 Sam. x, 27 ; 1 Kings iv, 21 ; 2 Kings viii, 8, 9 ; 2 Chron. ix, 24 ; xvii, 5, 11 ; Psa. Ixxii, 10 ; in several of which passages the word has the acces- sory idea of trihute ; elsewhere usually rendered "of- fering"). Kindred in meaning with the last, but from an entirely different root (*T— , shir, to travel about with a commodity offered in sale), is il"iV^'ri, teshurah', a conciliatory "present," e. g. to a seer = fee (1 Sam. ix, 7). Different still is iTC^~fl, terumah' (from C11, rum, to be high'), an oblation (Prov. xxix, 4), especial- ly a ■peace-offering (as usually rendered). The word fl-13, blessing, is sometimes used of a present (Gen. xxxiii, 11; 1 Sam. xxv, 27; 2 Kings v, 15), munifi- cence (Prov. xi, 25), or benefaction (Gen. xlix, 25 ; Isa. xix, 24).
4. Mercenary in character are the following : "Ij'^, sho'cliad, a bribe, especially given to a judge to obtain a favorable verdict (Exod. xxiii, 8 ; Deut. xvi, 19 ; 2 Chron. xix, 7; Prov. vi, 35; xvii, 8, 23; Isa. i, 23; Ezek. xxii, 12; elsewhere rendered "bribe," "re- ward," "present"); 'nS'i'X, eshkar (from "^'^'J, to hire'), price, i. e. tribute (Psa. Ixxii, 10; "present," Ezek. xxvii, 15). So also D"'!l^S'i;, shilluchini (liter- alh' sendings away), dotal " presents" (1 Kings ix, 16) [see Dowry] ; but l^'^.3, ne'deh (lit. liberality), signi- fies the prodigal wages of a harlot (Ezek. xvi, 35).