Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4400 Vegetation and food  »  4442 firstfruits

Offerings of the produce of the land, being the first and best of the crops, given in acknowledgment of God's abundant blessings. The term is also used metaphorically to indicate the first of a much larger group that is to follow, such as those who will be raised from the dead.

Offering firstfruits

Exodus 23:19 See also Exodus 34:26; Leviticus 2:11-16; Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Nehemiah 10:35-39; Nehemiah 13:31; Proverbs 3:9-10; Romans 11:16

Firstfruits given to priests and Levites

Numbers 18:8-13 See also Deuteronomy 18:1-5; 2 Chronicles 31:2-5; Nehemiah 12:44-47; Ezekiel 44:28-30

Firstfruits offered at feasts

The Feast of Firstfruits

Leviticus 23:9-14

The Feast of Weeks (Harvest)

See also Exodus 23:16; Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:15-20; Numbers 28:26

Firstborn of human beings and animals regarded as firstfruits

Psalm 78:51 See also Exodus 13:1-2,11-16; Numbers 18:14-19; Psalm 105:36

Metaphorical use of firstfruits

Firstfruits of God's harvest

Jeremiah 2:1-3

Jesus Christ the firstfruits of the resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 See also Acts 26:22-23

Firstfruits of salvation

James 1:18 See also Romans 8:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 fn; Revelation 14:1-5

See also

4456  grain
4544  wine
5688  firstborn
6510  salvation
7357  Feast of Firstfruits
7390  Levites
7402  offerings
7766  priests
8488  tithing
9310  resurrection