1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 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.
3 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.
4 These [are] the feasts of the LORD, [even] holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
5 In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD’S passover.
6 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.
7 In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
8 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].
9 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
10 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:
11 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.
12 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.
13 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.
14 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.
15 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:
16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
17 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.
18 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.
19 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.
20 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.
21 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.
22 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.
23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
24 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.
25 Ye shall do no servile work [therein]: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
26 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
27 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.
28 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.
29 For whatsoever soul [it be] that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
30 And whatsoever soul [it be] that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
31 Ye shall do no manner of work: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
32 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.
33 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 do no servile work [therein].
37 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:
38 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.
39 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.
40 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.
41 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.
42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
43 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.
44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.
Overview of Leviticus 23
Leviticus 23 outlines the appointed feasts and sacred occasions that the Israelites are to observe. These festivals are significant for their religious, agricultural, and communal aspects, serving as a means to remember God’s covenant and His provision for the people. The chapter emphasizes the importance of rest, worship, and community in the life of the Israelite nation.
Key Themes
- Sabbath Observance: The chapter begins with the command to observe the Sabbath as a day of rest, highlighting the importance of rest in the rhythm of life.
- Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread: This feast commemorates the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt and the importance of purity in their homes.
- Feast of Firstfruits: This celebration acknowledges God’s provision and the beginning of the harvest season.
- Feast of Weeks (Shavuot): This festival marks the end of the grain harvest and is also associated with the giving of the Torah.
- Feast of Trumpets: A call to repentance and preparation for the Day of Atonement.
- Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): A solemn day dedicated to atonement and reflection on sin.
- Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): A celebration of God’s provision during the Israelites’ wilderness journey.
Detailed Breakdown of the Festivals
- Sabbath (Verses 1-3):
The Sabbath is established as a holy day of rest, emphasizing the need to cease from work and dedicate time to God.
- Passover and Unleavened Bread (Verses 4-8):
This feast occurs in the spring, commemorating the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. The unleavened bread symbolizes purity and the haste of their departure.
- Feast of Firstfruits (Verses 9-14):
Celebrated during the barley harvest, this feast involves offering the first sheaf of the harvest to God, recognizing His provision and blessings.
- Feast of Weeks (Verses 15-22):
This festival occurs 50 days after Passover, marking the end of the grain harvest. It is a time for rejoicing and giving thanks for God’s blessings.
- Feast of Trumpets (Verses 23-25):
This feast signals the beginning of the civil new year and serves as a call to repentance and reflection.
- Day of Atonement (Verses 26-32):
A day of fasting and repentance, the Day of Atonement is a time for the community to seek forgiveness and atone for their sins.
- Feast of Tabernacles (Verses 33-44):
This week-long festival commemorates the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness and celebrates God’s provision. It includes living in temporary shelters as a reminder of their past.
Significance of the Festivals
The festivals outlined in Leviticus 23 serve multiple purposes:
- Remembrance: Each festival acts as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the history of the Israelite people.
- Community Building: These feasts foster a sense of community and shared identity among the Israelites.
- Spiritual Reflection: The observance of these festivals encourages personal and communal reflection on one’s relationship with God.
- Celebration of God’s Provision: The festivals highlight the agricultural cycle and God’s provision for His people.
Conclusion
Leviticus 23 is a foundational chapter that outlines the rhythm of worship and community life for the Israelites. The observance of these feasts is not only an act of obedience but also a means to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and a stronger community identity. Through these sacred occasions, the Israelites are reminded of their history, their covenant with God, and the importance of gratitude and reflection in their lives.
