Along with the bread you are to present seven unblemished male lambs a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They will be a burnt offering to the LORD, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings--an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. Along with the breadThis phrase indicates the inclusion of bread in the sacrificial offerings, specifically during the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost. The Hebrew word for bread, "lechem," signifies sustenance and provision. In the context of the Feast of Weeks, the bread represents the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, symbolizing God's provision and the people's gratitude. This offering acknowledges God's role as the provider of all sustenance, both physical and spiritual. you are to present
The directive "you are to present" underscores the active participation of the Israelites in worship. The Hebrew verb "qarab" means to bring near or to offer, emphasizing the personal responsibility of the worshiper to approach God with reverence and obedience. This act of presenting offerings is a tangible expression of devotion and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. seven unblemished male lambs a year old
The number seven in Hebrew culture often symbolizes completeness or perfection, reflecting the fullness of the offering. The requirement for the lambs to be "unblemished" signifies purity and holiness, as only perfect offerings are acceptable to God. The specification of "a year old" indicates the prime of life, symbolizing strength and vitality. These lambs represent the best of what the Israelites have to offer, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God, who was without blemish. one young bull
The inclusion of a young bull in the offerings highlights the significance of strength and service. Bulls were valuable assets in agrarian societies, symbolizing wealth and power. The Hebrew word "par" for bull can also denote a leader or a strong one. This offering signifies the dedication of one's strength and resources to God, acknowledging His lordship over all aspects of life. and two rams
Rams, often associated with leadership and authority, are included in the offerings to signify submission to God's rule. The Hebrew word "ayil" for ram can also mean a chief or a mighty one. Offering two rams may symbolize a double portion of dedication or the confirmation of a covenant. This act of offering rams reflects the worshiper's commitment to follow God's guidance and leadership. They will be a burnt offering to the LORD
A burnt offering, or "olah" in Hebrew, is an offering that is completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total surrender and dedication to God. The act of burning the offering signifies the complete giving over of oneself to the divine will. This offering is made "to the LORD," emphasizing that worship is directed solely to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. together with their grain offerings and drink offerings
The grain and drink offerings, known as "minchah" and "nesek" in Hebrew, accompany the animal sacrifices, representing the fruits of human labor and the joy of life. These offerings symbolize the dedication of daily work and sustenance to God, acknowledging His provision and blessing. The combination of animal, grain, and drink offerings reflects the holistic nature of worship, involving all aspects of life. an offering made by fire
The phrase "an offering made by fire" highlights the purifying and transformative power of fire in the sacrificial process. Fire, often associated with God's presence and holiness, consumes the offering, symbolizing purification and acceptance by God. This act of offering by fire signifies the worshiper's desire for purification and transformation in God's presence. a pleasing aroma to the LORD
The concept of a "pleasing aroma" signifies God's acceptance and delight in the offerings. The Hebrew word "reyach" for aroma conveys the idea of a soothing or satisfying scent. This phrase indicates that the offerings, when given with a sincere heart, are acceptable and pleasing to God. It reflects the relational aspect of worship, where the worshiper's devotion brings joy to the heart of God. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe recipients of the laws and instructions given by God through Moses. They are the covenant people of God, called to live according to His statutes. 2. MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai and communicated it to the people. 3. The TabernacleThe portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites, where sacrifices and offerings were made. 4. The Feast of Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost)The event during which these offerings were to be made, marking the end of the grain harvest and a time of thanksgiving. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who established the sacrificial system as a means for His people to maintain a relationship with Him. Teaching Points The Importance of SacrificeThe detailed instructions for offerings highlight the seriousness of approaching God. Sacrifices were a means of atonement and worship, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Holiness and PurityThe requirement for unblemished animals signifies the need for purity and holiness in worship. Believers are called to live holy lives, set apart for God. Gratitude and ThanksgivingThe Feast of Weeks was a time of thanksgiving for the harvest. Similarly, Christians are encouraged to cultivate a heart of gratitude for God's provision and blessings. Symbolism of FireThe offerings made by fire symbolize purification and dedication. Believers are to be refined by the Holy Spirit, living lives that are a pleasing aroma to God. Community WorshipThe communal aspect of the offerings underscores the importance of gathering together in worship, encouraging one another in faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the requirement for unblemished animals in Leviticus 23:18 reflect God's nature and expectations for His people? 2. In what ways does the sacrificial system in the Old Testament point to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament? 3. How can we apply the principle of offering a "pleasing aroma" to God in our daily lives today? 4. What role does gratitude play in your relationship with God, and how can you express it more fully in your worship? 5. How does the concept of community worship in the Old Testament offerings inform our understanding of church and fellowship today? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 29:38-42This passage describes the daily offerings, which are similar in nature to the offerings in Leviticus 23:18, emphasizing the importance of regular, dedicated worship to God. Hebrews 10:1-10This New Testament passage discusses the limitations of the Old Testament sacrifices and points to Christ as the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the law's requirements. Romans 12:1Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the sacrificial system and emphasizing a life dedicated to God. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces TemanTopics Along, Aroma, Besides, Blemish, Bread, Bull, Bullock, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Cereal, Defect, Drink, Drink-offerings, Fire, Fire-offering, Fragrance, Grain, He-lambs, Herd, Lambs, Libations, Male, Marks, Meal, Meal-offering, Meat, Meat-offering, Oblation, Odor, Odour, Offer, Offering, Offerings, Ones, Ox, Perfect, Pleasing, Present, Rams, Savor, Savour, Seven, Sheep, Smell, Sons, Soothing, Sweet, YearlingsDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 23:18 5183 smell
7322 burnt offering
7350 drink offering Leviticus 23:9-20 4442 firstfruits Leviticus 23:9-22 8644 commemoration Leviticus 23:15-18 5222 baking Leviticus 23:15-21 4506 seed
4975 week
7355 feasts and festivals, nature of
8642 celebration Leviticus 23:15-22 4208 land, divine responsibility Leviticus 23:17-20 7361 Feast of Weeks Leviticus 23:18-20 7435 sacrifice, in OT 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 23:18 NIVLeviticus 23:18 NLTLeviticus 23:18 ESVLeviticus 23:18 NASBLeviticus 23:18 KJV
Leviticus 23:18 Commentaries
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