Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7408 Pentecost

One of Israel's three major agricultural festivals, the second great feast of the Jewish year. It is a harvest festival, also known as the Feast of Weeks. The original Jewish significance of this festival has been overshadowed by the Christian celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Pentecost was one of Israel's three major agricultural festivals

It was also known as the Feast of Weeks

Deuteronomy 16:9-10 See also Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:16-17; 2 Chronicles 8:13

It is also referred to as the Feast of Harvest

Exodus 23:16

Instructions for the celebration of Pentecost

Its timing and sacrifices

Leviticus 23:15-21 The “fifty days” (verse 16) gives rise to the term “Pentecost” which is derived from the Greek word for “fiftieth”; Numbers 28:26-31; Jeremiah 5:24

Its link with the deliverance from Egypt

Deuteronomy 16:12 Pentecost later became associated with covenant renewal and the giving of the Law.

Pentecost in the NT

It was observed by Paul

See also Acts 20:16; 1 Corinthians 16:8

Its association with the coming of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-4,16-21; Acts 11:15 See also Joel 2:28-32

See also

1345  covenant
3040  Holy Spirit, promise of
3242  Holy Spirit, baptism with
3257  Holy Spirit, gift of
3275  Holy Spirit in the church
4018  life, spiritual
4464  harvest
4951  month
7361  Feast of Weeks