5. In Greek tlie usual terms are some derivative from ii<!ijif.a, to give, namely tt')/.(o, a gift, simply, i. e. the thing given (Matt, vli, 11 ; Luke xi, 13 ; Eph. iv, 8 ; Phil, iv, 17), c^octr', the act oi giving (James i, 17) ; cwpov, a cmfa-ment in token of amity (Matt, ii, 11; Eph. ii, 8; Kev. xi, 10), or sacrificial (Matt, v, 23, 24; viii, 4; xxiii, 18, 19; Heb. v, 1; viii, 3, 4 ; ix, 9 ; xi, 4), or niereh' eleemosynary (Luke xxi, 1) or in conse- cration (JIatt. XV, 5 ; Jlark vii, 11) [see Cobban] ; whereas Sioped, a gratuity (.lohn iv, 10 ; Acts ii, 38 ; viii, 20 ; X, 45 ; xi, 17 ; Kom. v, 15, 17 ; 2 Cor. ix, 15; Eph. iii, 7; iv, 7; Heb. vi, 4), and uoinifia, endoioment (Rom. V, 16; James i, 17), refer to spiritual bestow- ments, i. e. grace. These significations are distribu- ted in «j'«'3///(a, a votive offering (Luke xxi. 5, as be- ing hung up), and X'f/pic (2 Cor. viii, 4; " liberality," 1 Cor. xvi, 3; "benefit," 2 Cor. i, lb), grace (as else- where usualh' rendered), and its cognate xdnirrpa, an impartation which is spoken of spiritual and unmerited
GIFT
859
GIFTS, SPIRITUAL
endowments (Rom. v, 15, IG ; vi, 23), especially the miraculous or special powers granted to the early Christians (Kom. i, 11 ; xii, 6 ; 1 Cor. i, 7 ; vii, 7 ; xii, 4, 9, 28, 30, 31 ; 2 Cor. i, 11 ; 1 Tim. iv, 14 ; 2 Tim. i, 6 ; 1 Pet. iv, 10) ; wliile fUQia^wq (a dividing, as in Heb. iv, 12), points out the distribution of these among be- lievers (Heb. ii, 4). Henderson has admirabh^ ana- lyzed the terms used in the above passage (1 Cor. xii, 4-6) for these various "operations" in his work on Di- vine Inspiration (Loud. 1847), lect. iv. See Si'ikitual Gifts.
"The giving and receiving of presents has in all ages been not only a more frequent, but also a more formal and signiticiint proceeding in the East than among ourselves. It enters largely into the ordinary transactions of life: no negotiation, alliance, or con- tract of any kind can be entered into between states or sovereigns without a previous interchange of presents : none of the important events of private life, betrothal, marriage, coming of age, birth, take place without presents : even a visit, if of a formal natui-e, must be prefaced by a present. The extent to which the cus- tom prevailed admits of some ex)ilanation from the peculiar usages of the East : it is clear that the tarni ' gift' is frequently used where we would substitute 'tribute' or 'fee.' The tribute of subject states was paid, not in a fixed sum of money, but in kind, each na- tion presenting its particular product — a custom which is frecjuentl}' illustrated in the sculptures of Assyria and Egypt ; hence the numerous instances in which the present was no voluntary act, but an exaction (Judg. iii, 15-18; 2 Sam. viii,^2, 6; 1 Kings iv, 21; 2 Kings xvii, 3 ; 2 Chron. xvii, 11 ; xxvi, 8) ; and hence the expression 'to bring presents' = to own submission (Psa. Ixviii, 29 ; Ixxvi, 11 ; Isa. xviii, 7). Again, the present taken to a prophet was viewed very much in the light of a consulting 'fee,' and conveyed no idea of briljery (1 Sam. ix, 7; comp. xii, 3; 2 Kings v, 5; viii, !l) : it was only when false prophets and corrupt judges arose that the present was prostituted, and be- came, instead of a minchah (as in the instances quoted), a shochad or bribe (Isa. 1, 23; v, 23; Ezek. xxii, 12; Mic. iii, 11). But even allowing for these cases, which are hardly ' gifts' in our sense of the term, there is still a large excess remaining in the practice of the East : friends brought presents to friends on any joy- ful occasion (Esth. ix, 19, 22), those who asked for in- formation or advice to those wlio gave it (2 Kings viii, 8), the needy to the wealth}' from whom any assistance ■was expected (Gen. xliii, 11; 2 Kings xv, 19; xvi,8), rulers to their favorites (Gen. xlv, 22; 2 Sam. xi, 8), especially to their officers (Esth. ii, 18 ; Josephus, Ant. xii, 2, 15), or to the people generally on festive occa- sions (2 Sam. vi, 19): on the occasion of a marriage, the bridegroom not only paid the pirents for his bride (A. V. ' dowry'), but also gave the bride certain pres- ents (Gen. xxxiv, 12 ; comp. Gen. xxiv, 22), while the father of the bride gave her a present on sendinrj her away, as is expressed in the term shilluchini (CnS".!") (1 Kings ix, 16); and again, the portions of the sons of concubines were paid in the form of presents (Gen XXV, G).
"The nature of the presents was as various as were the occasions: food (1 Sam. ix, 7; xvi, 20; xxv, 18), sheep, and cattle (Gen. xxxii, 1.3-15 ; Judg. xv, 1),' gold {:2 Sam. xviii, 11 ; Job xiii, 11 ; Matt, ii, 11), jew- els ((ien. xxiv, 53), furniture, and vessels for eating and drinking (2 Sam. xvii, 28), delicacies, such as spices, honey, etc. (Gen. xxiv, 53; 1 Kings x, 25; 2 Kings V, 22), particularly in the case of persons in- ducted into high office (Esth. vi, 8 ; Dan. v, 16 ; comp. Herod, iii, 20). The mode of presentation was with as mueli parade as possible ; the presents were conveyed by the hands of servants (Judg. iii, 18), or, still better, on the backs of lieasts of burden (2 Kings viii, 9), even when such a mode of conveyance was unnecessary'.