Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(given). A common way of showing esteem and confidence and securing favors (Gen. 32:13-15; 45:22-23). Kings were donees (1 Kings 4:21; 2 Chron. 17:5). Not to give, a mark of contempt (1 Sam. 10:27). Cattle given (Gen. 32:13); garments (2 Kings 5:23); money (2 Sam. 18:11); perfumes (Matt. 2:11).
“Gifts” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
These have a large place in the Old Testament history, and several different words are used which are often translated PRESENTS. There were
1. Gifts from a superior to an inferior in good will and kindness and as rewards (Esther 2:18; Dan. 2:6, 48.
2. From an inferior to a superior (2 Chron. 9:24; 2 Chron. 17:5,11). This also took the form of tribute, an acknowledgment of submission (1 Sam. 10:27; 1 Kings 4:21). When Solomon reigned supreme, “all the earth” sought to Solomon to hear his wisdom, and brought presents, as did the queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:2,24-25). This is a type of Christ’s kingdom as established on earth, when presents, as willing tribute, will be sent from all nations to the Lord Jesus (Psa. 45:12; 72:10,15; Isa. 60:9).
3. Gifts to judges: these were very apt to become bribes, and were strictly prohibited (Ex. 23:8; Deut. 16:19; 2 Chron. 19:7). It was usual also to take presents to prophets (1 Sam. 9:7); and as the prophets were sometimes judges, the gifts were liable to become bribes, as they did with the sons of Samuel, though Samuel himself could challenge the people, and they admitted the fact, that he had never taken a bribe to blind his eyes therewith (1 Sam. 8:3; 1 Sam. 12:3).
“Gifts in the Church” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
The Lord Jesus, having led captivity captive, ascended up on high and thence gave gifts unto men (Psa. 68:18). These were apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Here persons are the gifts, δόμα (Eph. 4:8,11-12). (See under each of the names.) Another list is given in 1 Corinthians 12, where the word is χάρισμα, “grace, favor.” They are endowments of the one Spirit given to various persons, such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, kinds of tongues, interpreting of tongues: “all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” Later in the same chapter these persons are seen to be members of Christ’s body, and as such set in the church—apostles, prophets, teachers. Other gifts are added: miracles, gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Those mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 (except apostles and prophets in the full sense) are gifts for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for edifying the body of Christ, “till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” This perfecting of the saints and building up the body of Christ is being accomplished in the present time. The Spirit of God abides, acting in the various members of the body of Christ: hence gifts abide also, though some have necessarily ceased. The gifts are bestowed direct from the risen Lord, and are entirely independent of all choice or professed authority from man, and are for the help of the church universally.
“Tongues, Gift of” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
This gift was in the early church, and was a sign “to them that believed not,” in fulfillment of Isaiah 28:11-12; compare 1 Corinthians 14:21. The gift was exhibited in a special way on the day of Pentecost, when people of many lands heard the wonderful things of God each in his own language. In the assembly these gifts were not to be exercised unless there was present an interpreter, that the saints might be edified. Paul thanked God that he spake with tongues more than all at Corinth; but in the assembly he would rather speak five words through his understanding, that he might teach others, than ten thousand words in a tongue (1 Cor. 12:10,28,30; 1 Cor. 13:1,8; 1 Cor. 14:2-39).
The expression “unknown tongue” is unhappy, because it has led some to think that the gift of tongues consisted of a sort of unintelligible gibberish. The word “unknown” has been added in the AV, where it should read simply “tongue.” At Pentecost it was shown that the gift of “tongues” was in a person speaking a language which he had never learned, but which was at once understood by those who knew it.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words: