On the day you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a year-old lamb without blemish as a burnt offering to the LORD, On the day after the SabbathThis phrase refers to the timing of the offering, which is significant in the Jewish calendar. The Sabbath, or "Shabbat" in Hebrew, is a day of rest and worship, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. The "day after the Sabbath" would be Sunday, marking the beginning of a new week. This timing is crucial as it aligns with the Feast of Firstfruits, a celebration of the first harvest, symbolizing new beginnings and God's provision. In a Christian context, this day is also significant as it foreshadows the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which occurred on a Sunday, the day after the Sabbath, symbolizing the new covenant and the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep ( 1 Corinthians 15:20). the priest
The role of the priest in ancient Israel was central to the religious and communal life of the people. The Hebrew word for priest is "kohen," and priests were responsible for performing sacrifices, maintaining the sanctuary, and acting as mediators between God and the people. In this context, the priest's duty to present the offering underscores the importance of mediation and intercession in worship. From a Christian perspective, this prefigures the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who mediates the new covenant between God and humanity (Hebrews 4:14-16). is to present it
The act of presenting the offering is a ritual of dedication and thanksgiving. The Hebrew root for "present" is "qarab," which means to bring near or to offer. This act signifies drawing near to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision. In the context of the Feast of Firstfruits, it represents the dedication of the first and best of the harvest to God, trusting Him for the remainder. For Christians, this act of presenting is mirrored in the offering of oneself as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1), symbolizing a life dedicated to His service and glory. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe original audience of the Levitical laws, including the instructions for offerings and feasts. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who commands the offerings and feasts as acts of worship and obedience. 3. The PriestThe one responsible for performing the wave offering and the subsequent sacrifices. 4. The SheafThe firstfruits of the harvest, symbolizing the beginning of the harvest season and God's provision. 5. The Burnt OfferingA sacrificial offering, in this case, a year-old male lamb without blemish, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God. Teaching Points The Importance of Purity in WorshipThe requirement for a lamb "without blemish" emphasizes the need for purity and holiness in our worship and offerings to God. Symbolism of FirstfruitsThe waving of the sheaf represents acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty. As believers, we are called to offer the first and best of our lives to God. Christ as the FulfillmentThe sacrificial system points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice. Understanding this helps us appreciate the depth of His atonement and our redemption. Living SacrificesJust as the Israelites were to offer a lamb, we are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, in response to His mercy. Obedience and WorshipThe detailed instructions for offerings remind us of the importance of obedience in our worship practices, reflecting our reverence for God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the requirement of a "year-old male lamb without blemish" in Leviticus 23:12 reflect God's standards for worship, and how can we apply this principle in our daily lives? 2. In what ways does the concept of firstfruits in Leviticus 23:12 connect to the New Testament understanding of Jesus as the firstfruits of the resurrection? 3. How can the practice of offering a burnt offering in the Old Testament inspire us to live as "living sacrifices" as described in Romans 12? 4. What does the act of waving the sheaf symbolize about our relationship with God, and how can we incorporate this symbolism into our spiritual practices today? 5. How does understanding the sacrificial system in Leviticus enhance our appreciation of Christ's sacrifice as described in Hebrews 10? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 12The Passover lamb, which also had to be without blemish, connects to the sacrificial system and foreshadows Christ as the Lamb of God. Hebrews 10Discusses the insufficiency of animal sacrifices and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law. 1 Corinthians 15Paul refers to Christ as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, connecting the concept of firstfruits to the resurrection. Romans 12Encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the dedication required in the burnt offering. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces TemanTopics Blemish, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Defect, Grain, He-lamb, Lamb, Male, Mark, Offer, Offering, Perfect, Prepared, Sacrifice, Sheaf, Wave, Waving, YearlingDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 23:12 2315 Christ, as Lamb
4663 lamb
7322 burnt offering Leviticus 23:9-20 4442 firstfruits Leviticus 23:9-22 8644 commemoration Leviticus 23:10-16 4464 harvest Leviticus 23:12-13 4544 wine
5617 measures, liquid
7357 Feast of Firstfruits Library The Consecration of Joy
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 34. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. 35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord; on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureOf a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
IT was the last, the great day of the Feast,' and Jesus was once more in the Temple. We can scarcely doubt that it was the concluding day of the Feast, and not, as most modern writers suppose, its Octave, which, in Rabbinic language, was regarded as a festival by itself.' [3987] [3988] But such solemn interest attaches to the Feast, and this occurrence on its last day, that we must try to realise the scene. We have here the only Old Testament type yet unfilfilled; the only Jewish festival which has …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes - Examination of their Distinctive Doctrines.
APART from the repulsively carnal form which it had taken, there is something absolutely sublime in the continuance and intensity of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. It outlived not only the delay of long centuries, but the persecutions and scattering of the people; it continued under the disappointment of the Maccabees, the rule of a Herod, the administration of a corrupt and contemptible Priesthood, and, finally, the government of Rome as represented by a Pilate; nay, it grew in intensity …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Chronology
45. The length of the public ministry of Jesus was one of the earliest questions which arose in the study of the four gospels. In the second and third centuries it was not uncommon to find the answer in the passage from Isaiah (lxi. 1, 2), which Jesus declared was fulfilled in himself. "The acceptable year of the Lord" was taken to indicate that the ministry covered little more than a year. The fact that the first three gospels mention but one Passover (that at the end), and but one journey to Jerusalem, …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth "But if the Spirit of Him that Raised up Jesus from the Dead Dwell in You, He that Raised up Christ from the Dead Shall Also
Rom. viii. 11.--"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." It is true the soul is incomparably better than the body, and he is only worthy the name of a man and of a Christian who prefers this more excellent part, and employs his study and time about it, and regards his body only for the noble guest that lodges within it, and therefore it is one of the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Jesus Living at Nazareth and visiting Jerusalem in his Twelfth Year.
(Nazareth and Jerusalem, a.d. 7 or 8.) ^C Luke II. 40-52. ^c 40 And the child grew [This verse contains the history of thirty years. It describes the growth of our Lord as a natural, human growth (compare Luke i. 80); for, though Jesus was truly divine, he was also perfectly man. To try to distinguish between the divine and human in Jesus, is to waste time upon an impracticable mystery which is too subtle for our dull and finite minds], and waxed strong [His life expanded like other human lives. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law and Many Others.
(at Capernaum.) ^A Matt. VIII. 14-17; ^B Mark I. 29-34; ^C Luke IV. 38-41. ^c 38 And he arose out of the synagogue [where he had just healed the demoniac], ^b 29 And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came { ^c entered} ^b into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [Peter and Andrew had dwelt at Bethsaida (John i. 44). They may have removed to Capernaum, or Bethsaida, being near by, may be here counted as a part, or suburb, of Capernaum. Its name does not contradict …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
(from Bethany to Jerusalem and Back, Sunday, April 2, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 1-12, 14-17; ^B Mark XI. 1-11; ^C Luke XIX. 29-44; ^D John XII. 12-19. ^c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper] ^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, ^a 1 And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage unto { ^b at} ^a the mount of Olives [The name, Bethphage, is said to mean house of figs, but the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 23:12 NIVLeviticus 23:12 NLTLeviticus 23:12 ESVLeviticus 23:12 NASBLeviticus 23:12 KJV
Leviticus 23:12 Commentaries
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