Scriptures in connection with worship. (Compare 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.) It was an ingredient of the holy incense used at the sanctuary (Ex. 30:34-38), was used on grain offerings (Lev. 2:1, 2, 15, 16; 6:15; Jer. 17:26; 41:4, 5), and on each row of the showbread of the sanctuary (Lev. 24:7). But it was not to be included on sin offerings (Lev. 5:11) or on the “grain offering of jealousy.” (Num. 5:15) This was doubtless because the latter offerings had to do with sin or error, and were not offered up as a sacrifice of praise or thanksgiving to Jehovah.

Frankincense is mentioned as being stored in the rebuilt temple buildings, following the return from Babylonian exile. (1 Chron. 9:29; Neh. 13:5, 9) The Oriental astrologers who visited the child Jesus brought frankincense with them (Matt. 2:11), and it is mentioned as one of the items of commerce sold to Babylon the Great before her destruction. (Rev. 18:8-13) The Greek term for the heavenly incense vessel, at Revelation 8:3, 5, is li·ba·no·tosʹ and is derived from the Hebrew word for “frankincense.”

The prophet Isaiah records Jehovah’s displeasure and disapproval of gifts and the use of frankincense when offered by those who reject his Word.—Isa. 66:3.

FRAUD

The intentional use of deception, trickery, or perversion of truth to induce another to part with some valuable thing belonging to him, or to give up a legal right.

Fraud, as dealt with in the Bible, is generally associated with business relationships. Dishonest business dealings are forbidden by God’s law. The Israelites were to deal honestly with one another. The hired laborer was specifically protected by the Law. (Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:14) Jesus Christ included the injunction against fraud as being among the “commandments” of God. (Mark 10:19) Under the Law covenant, if a man defrauded his associate and later repented and brought the matter to light, confessing it, he was required to restore the full amount plus one-fifth of it to the person injured, as well as to offer a guilt offering to Jehovah.—Lev. 6:1-7.

False forms of religion likewise are considered fraudulent in the Scriptures. Paul’s sharp denunciation of Elymas the sorcerer resulted in his being struck with blindness because of the fraud and villainy he had practiced by “distorting the right ways of Jehovah.” (Acts 13:8-11) Paul also corrected Christians in Corinth who were taking one another to court, stating that they were wronging and defrauding their brothers by this action of going to court before unrighteous men and not before the holy ones in the congregation. They should rather suffer being defrauded than to take such matters before men of the world.—1 Cor. 6:1-8.

The Bible frequently warns against and denounces fraud and fraudulent practices, also pointing out that God will judge defrauders and will deliver his people from such ones.—Ps. 62:10; 72:4; 103:6; Prov. 14:31; 22:16; 28:16; Mic. 2:1, 2; Mal. 3:5.

FREEDMAN, FREEMAN

During Roman rule, one who was emancipated from slavery was called a “freedman,” whereas a “freeman” was free from birth, possessing full citizenship rights, as did the apostle Paul.—Acts 22:28.

Formal emancipation granted the freedman Roman citizenship, but such former slave was not eligible for political office, although his descendants were, in the second or at least the third generation. Informal emancipation, however, merely gave practical freedom to the individual, not civic rights.

Since the freedman was viewed as belonging to the family of his former master, a mutual obligation rested upon the two parties. The freedman either remained in the home and in the employ of his former master or received a farm and capital to get started in making his own living. The patron buried his freedman in the family tomb and took charge of any surviving minor children, and inherited the property if there were no heirs. On the other hand, if the patron suffered financial reverses, his freedman was required by law to care for him. But the rights of a former master in relation to his freedman could not be passed on to his heirs.

It has been suggested that those who belonged to the “Synagogue of the Freedmen [literally, Libertines]” were Jews who had been taken captive by the Romans and then later were emancipated. Another view is that these persons were freed slaves who had become Jewish proselytes. The reading in the Armenian Version presents these persons as “Libyans,” that is, persons from Libya.—Acts 6:9.

As indicated by the Scriptures, although a Christian may be a slave to an earthly master, he is actually Christ’s freedman, liberated from bondage to sin and death. But having been bought with a price, Jesus’ precious blood, a Christian who is a freeman in a physical sense is a slave of God and of Jesus Christ, obligated to obey their commands. This indicates that for humans freedom is always relative, never absolute. Therefore, from God’s viewpoint, in the Christian congregation there is no difference between slave and freeman. Moreover, the freedom possessed by a Christian does not entitle him to use this as a blind for moral badness.—1 Cor. 7:22, 23; Gal. 3:28; Heb. 2:14, 15; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19; 2:16; see CITIZEN, CITIZENSHIP.

FREEDOM

Since Jehovah God is the Almighty, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe and the Creator of all things, he alone has absolute, unlimited freedom. (Gen. 17:1; Jer. 10:7, 10; Dan. 4:34, 35; Rev. 4:11) All others must move and act within the limitations of ability given them and subject themselves to his universal laws. (Isa. 45:9; Rom. 9:20, 21) For example, consider the laws governing created things, such as gravity, chemical reactions, influence of the sun, growth, and so forth; the moral laws; the rights and actions of others that influence one’s freedom. The freedom of all God’s creatures is therefore a relative freedom.

There is a distinction between limited freedom and bondage. Freedom within God-given limitations brings happiness; bondage to creatures or to imperfection, weaknesses or wrong ideologies brings oppression and unhappiness. Freedom is also to be differentiated from self-determination, that is, ignoring God’s laws and determining what is right and what is wrong for oneself. Such leads to encroachments on the rights of others and causes trouble. An example is found in the effects of such an independent, self-willed spirit introduced to Adam and Eve by the serpent in Eden. (Gen. 3:4, 6, 11-19) True freedom is freedom bounded by law, God’s law, which allows full expression of the individual in a proper, upbuilding and beneficial way, and recognizes the rights of others, contributing to happiness for all.—Ps. 144:15; Luke 11:28; Jas. 1:25.

THE GOD OF FREEDOM

Jehovah is the God of freedom. He freed the nation of Israel from bondage in Egypt. He told them that as long as they obeyed his commandments they would