Understanding Thanksgiving

For our American readers, tomorrow is a day that we will gather with our friends and family and reflect upon this past year and what we are thankful for. To be honest, I have always liked Thanksgiving, but it wasn’t until our current study on the meaning behind the gems have I truely considered what it means to be thankful.

As we have seen in our current study, it is important to understand the root word. The first time that the word “thanksgiving” is used is in Leviticus 7:12, “12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, or cakes of blended flour mixed with oil.” This passage of scripture dictates the law of peace offerings and the word for “thanksgiving” is H8426, “properly an extension of the {hand} that is (by implication) {avowal} or (usually) adoration; specifically a choir or worshippers:- {confession} (sacrifice of) {praise} thanks ({-giving} offering).”

However, H8426 also comes from H3034, “a primitive root; used only as a denominative from H3027; literally to use (that {is} hold out) the hand; physically to throw (a{stone} an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively to bemoan (by wringing the hands): _ cast (out) (make) confess({-ion}) {praise} {shoot} (give) thank({-ful} {s} -sgiving).”

And now H3027, “a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating {power} means 6{direction} {etc.})…{consecrate}.”

So what can we learn when we look at the root words of thanksgiving? We can see that it is an extension of an open hand, to revere or worship, to praise, and to confess. So today, I ask you, is this the attitude that you have towards God? Are you completely beside yourself, wringing your hands so to speak, in praise and confession of your sin? This is how we should come before the Lord, in recognition of His free gift of peace and salvation. So as we all sit around the table and express what we are thankful for, I hope that you look towards the meaning of thankfulness and seek to follow Him.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex