Leviticus 23: A Guide to Israel's Sacred Times
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.
These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s passover.
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.
In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the Lord.
And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the Lord for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.
And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.
Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord.
And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the Lord, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the Lord.
Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the Lord for the priest.
And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the Lord your God.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God.
For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
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.
On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
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 do no servile work therein.
These are the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
Beside the sabbaths of the Lord, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the Lord.
Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.
And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.
And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.
Leviticus 23 offers a detailed look into the sacred times, holy days, and festivals that God commanded Israel to observe. These were not mere traditions, but "the appointed times of the LORD" (Leviticus 23:2), designed to be sacred assemblies, reminding them of God's provision, presence, and promises. From the foundational Sabbath to the joyous festivals, each observance held profound significance, pointing both backward to God’s past faithfulness and forward to His future fulfillment. This chapter of Leviticus 23 is crucial for understanding the rhythm of Israel's life and worship, and it also offers rich insights into the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The Foundational Sabbath (Leviticus 23:1-3)
The chapter begins with the weekly Sabbath, a cornerstone of Israel's spiritual life. This was a day of complete rest, a "holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:3), set apart for communion with God. It served as a weekly reminder of God's creation rest and His ongoing provision for His people. The Sabbath was more than just a day off; it was an opportunity to cease from labor and focus on God, acknowledging His sovereignty over all aspects of life.
Passover: Remembering Redemption (Leviticus 23:4-5)
The first of the annual festivals is Passover, commemorating the night God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to their doorposts. This act of faith protected them from the angel of death, who "passed over" their homes while striking down the firstborn of the Egyptians. This event, recounted in Exodus 12:1-13:16, became a permanent reminder of God's redemptive power. Jesus, the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), celebrated this feast with His disciples before His crucifixion (Luke 22:7-15), fulfilling its prophetic significance through His sacrifice.
The Festival of Unleavened Bread: A Hasty Exit (Leviticus 23:6-8)
Closely linked to Passover is the Festival of Unleavened Bread, a seven-day observance during which the Israelites ate bread made without yeast (Exodus 12:17-20). This symbolized the haste with which they left Egypt, not having time for the dough to rise (Deuteronomy 16:3). It served as a tangible reminder of their liberation and the need to leave behind the "leaven" of their old lives in Egypt.
The Feast of Firstfruits: Honoring God's Provision (Leviticus 23:9-14)
During the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Israelites were to bring the first sheaf of their barley harvest to the priest, a custom known as the Feast of Firstfruits. This offering acknowledged God's provision and signaled their trust in His ongoing sustenance. They were not to partake of the new harvest until they had first given an offering to God (Leviticus 23:14). Paul describes the risen Lord Jesus as the "firstfruits" of those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:20), signifying that His resurrection is the guarantee of our own future resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22-23).
The Festival of Weeks (Pentecost): Celebrating the Harvest and the Law (Leviticus 23:15-22)
Fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits, the Israelites celebrated the Festival of Weeks, also known as Pentecost (from the Greek word for "fiftieth"). This festival marked the end of the spring harvest and included offerings of bread made from the new wheat (Leviticus 23:17). Later Jewish tradition associated this festival with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Pentecost was one of the three "pilgrim feasts" that required Jewish men to travel to Jerusalem. It was during this very festival, with thousands of pilgrims present, that the first disciples received the Holy Spirit, marking the birth of the church (Acts 2:1-4).
The Festival of Trumpets: A Call to Repentance (Leviticus 23:23-25)
The first day of the seventh month was marked by a sacred assembly, rest, commemoration, and the sounding of trumpets (Leviticus 23:24). This became known as the Festival of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. In the Old Testament, trumpets were used to call God's people to worship or to war. In the New Testament, trumpet blasts are associated with the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and God's final acts of judgment (Revelation 8).
The Day of Atonement: Seeking Forgiveness (Leviticus 23:26-32)
Ten days after the Festival of Trumpets came the Day of Atonement, a solemn day of fasting and self-denial. On this day, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of the people (see Leviticus 16). The people were to abstain from all work (Leviticus 23:28, 31) and practice self-affliction under the threat of severe penalty (Leviticus 23:27, 29, 32). For believers in Christ, He is the ultimate and final "atoning sacrifice" for sins (Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10), offering complete and lasting forgiveness.
The Festival of Shelters (Tabernacles or Booths): Remembering God's Provision in the Wilderness (Leviticus 23:33-36)
Finally, there was the Festival of Shelters, also known as Tabernacles or Booths, a seven-day celebration. During this festival, the Israelites lived in temporary shelters (booths) to commemorate God's provision for them during their years of wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43). John's Gospel records Jesus' presence in Jerusalem during this festival (John 7:2, 10). During the festival, a ritual involved pouring out water before the Lord to remember the water miracles during the exodus. It was likely during this very tradition that Jesus cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them" (John 7:37-39), identifying Himself as the source of spiritual refreshment and the fulfillment of God's promise. This "living water" was the Holy Spirit.
Leviticus 23, therefore, provides a window into the heart of Israel's relationship with God. These sacred times served as constant reminders of His faithfulness, His provision, and His promise of redemption. And in the person and work of Jesus Christ, we see the ultimate fulfillment of these festivals, offering us a deeper understanding of God's plan for salvation and His enduring love for His people.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.
These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord’s passover.
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.
In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the Lord.
And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the Lord for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.
And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.
Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord.
And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the Lord, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the Lord.
Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the Lord for the priest.
And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the Lord your God.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God.
For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
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.
On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
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 do no servile work therein.
These are the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
Beside the sabbaths of the Lord, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the Lord.
Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.
And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.
And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.
Leviticus 23 offers a detailed look into the sacred times, holy days, and festivals that God commanded Israel to observe. These were not mere traditions, but "the appointed times of the LORD" (Leviticus 23:2), designed to be sacred assemblies, reminding them of God's provision, presence, and promises. From the foundational Sabbath to the joyous festivals, each observance held profound significance, pointing both backward to God’s past faithfulness and forward to His future fulfillment. This chapter of Leviticus 23 is crucial for understanding the rhythm of Israel's life and worship, and it also offers rich insights into the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The Foundational Sabbath (Leviticus 23:1-3)
The chapter begins with the weekly Sabbath, a cornerstone of Israel's spiritual life. This was a day of complete rest, a "holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:3), set apart for communion with God. It served as a weekly reminder of God's creation rest and His ongoing provision for His people. The Sabbath was more than just a day off; it was an opportunity to cease from labor and focus on God, acknowledging His sovereignty over all aspects of life.
Passover: Remembering Redemption (Leviticus 23:4-5)
The first of the annual festivals is Passover, commemorating the night God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to their doorposts. This act of faith protected them from the angel of death, who "passed over" their homes while striking down the firstborn of the Egyptians. This event, recounted in Exodus 12:1-13:16, became a permanent reminder of God's redemptive power. Jesus, the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), celebrated this feast with His disciples before His crucifixion (Luke 22:7-15), fulfilling its prophetic significance through His sacrifice.
The Festival of Unleavened Bread: A Hasty Exit (Leviticus 23:6-8)
Closely linked to Passover is the Festival of Unleavened Bread, a seven-day observance during which the Israelites ate bread made without yeast (Exodus 12:17-20). This symbolized the haste with which they left Egypt, not having time for the dough to rise (Deuteronomy 16:3). It served as a tangible reminder of their liberation and the need to leave behind the "leaven" of their old lives in Egypt.
The Feast of Firstfruits: Honoring God's Provision (Leviticus 23:9-14)
During the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Israelites were to bring the first sheaf of their barley harvest to the priest, a custom known as the Feast of Firstfruits. This offering acknowledged God's provision and signaled their trust in His ongoing sustenance. They were not to partake of the new harvest until they had first given an offering to God (Leviticus 23:14). Paul describes the risen Lord Jesus as the "firstfruits" of those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:20), signifying that His resurrection is the guarantee of our own future resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22-23).
The Festival of Weeks (Pentecost): Celebrating the Harvest and the Law (Leviticus 23:15-22)
Fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits, the Israelites celebrated the Festival of Weeks, also known as Pentecost (from the Greek word for "fiftieth"). This festival marked the end of the spring harvest and included offerings of bread made from the new wheat (Leviticus 23:17). Later Jewish tradition associated this festival with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Pentecost was one of the three "pilgrim feasts" that required Jewish men to travel to Jerusalem. It was during this very festival, with thousands of pilgrims present, that the first disciples received the Holy Spirit, marking the birth of the church (Acts 2:1-4).
The Festival of Trumpets: A Call to Repentance (Leviticus 23:23-25)
The first day of the seventh month was marked by a sacred assembly, rest, commemoration, and the sounding of trumpets (Leviticus 23:24). This became known as the Festival of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. In the Old Testament, trumpets were used to call God's people to worship or to war. In the New Testament, trumpet blasts are associated with the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and God's final acts of judgment (Revelation 8).
The Day of Atonement: Seeking Forgiveness (Leviticus 23:26-32)
Ten days after the Festival of Trumpets came the Day of Atonement, a solemn day of fasting and self-denial. On this day, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of the people (see Leviticus 16). The people were to abstain from all work (Leviticus 23:28, 31) and practice self-affliction under the threat of severe penalty (Leviticus 23:27, 29, 32). For believers in Christ, He is the ultimate and final "atoning sacrifice" for sins (Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10), offering complete and lasting forgiveness.
The Festival of Shelters (Tabernacles or Booths): Remembering God's Provision in the Wilderness (Leviticus 23:33-36)
Finally, there was the Festival of Shelters, also known as Tabernacles or Booths, a seven-day celebration. During this festival, the Israelites lived in temporary shelters (booths) to commemorate God's provision for them during their years of wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43). John's Gospel records Jesus' presence in Jerusalem during this festival (John 7:2, 10). During the festival, a ritual involved pouring out water before the Lord to remember the water miracles during the exodus. It was likely during this very tradition that Jesus cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them" (John 7:37-39), identifying Himself as the source of spiritual refreshment and the fulfillment of God's promise. This "living water" was the Holy Spirit.
Leviticus 23, therefore, provides a window into the heart of Israel's relationship with God. These sacred times served as constant reminders of His faithfulness, His provision, and His promise of redemption. And in the person and work of Jesus Christ, we see the ultimate fulfillment of these festivals, offering us a deeper understanding of God's plan for salvation and His enduring love for His people.