◄ Leviticus 23:20 ►
The priest is to wave the lambs as a wave offering before the LORD, together with the bread of the firstfruits. The bread and the two lambs shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.
Study Bible
The priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD
The role of the priest in ancient Israel was central to the spiritual life of the community. The Hebrew word for "priest" is "kohen," which signifies one who mediates between God and the people. The act of waving, or "tenufah" in Hebrew, symbolizes presenting the offering to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision. The "wave offering" was a ritual act of dedication, signifying that the offering was given to God and then returned for the priest's use. This act underscores the principle that all blessings come from God and are to be used in His service.

together with the bread of the firstfruits
The "bread of the firstfruits" refers to the loaves made from the first harvest of the grain, specifically during the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot. This feast celebrated the beginning of the wheat harvest and was a time of thanksgiving for God's provision. The Hebrew term for "firstfruits" is "bikkurim," which denotes the first and best portion of the harvest, offered to God as an acknowledgment of His blessings. This practice highlights the importance of giving God the first and best of what we receive, a principle that extends beyond agriculture to all areas of life.

They are sacred to the LORD
The word "sacred" in Hebrew is "qodesh," meaning set apart or holy. This designation indicates that the offerings are not ordinary but are consecrated for divine purposes. By declaring the offerings sacred, the text emphasizes the holiness of God and the need for His people to approach Him with reverence and purity. This concept of holiness is a recurring theme in Leviticus, reminding believers of the call to live lives that reflect God's holiness.

and belong to the priest
The phrase "belong to the priest" indicates that the offerings, once presented to God, are given to the priests for their sustenance. This provision underscores the principle that those who serve in ministry are supported by the offerings of the people. The Hebrew word for "belong" is "hayah," which conveys the idea of possession or rightful ownership. This arrangement reflects God's care for those who dedicate their lives to His service and the community's responsibility to support them.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Priest
The priest acts as a mediator between God and the people, performing sacred rituals and offerings.

2. Wave Offering
A specific type of offering where the priest waves the offering before the LORD, symbolizing dedication and consecration.

3. Bread of the Firstfruits
Represents the first yield of the harvest, offered to God as a sign of gratitude and acknowledgment of His provision.

4. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, to whom the offerings are made.

5. Sacred Offering
An offering set apart for God, signifying holiness and dedication.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priest
The priest serves as an intermediary, pointing to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who intercedes on our behalf.

Significance of the Wave Offering
The wave offering symbolizes the dedication of our lives to God. Just as the offering is waved before the LORD, our lives should be lived in His presence and for His glory.

Firstfruits and Gratitude
Offering the firstfruits is an act of faith and gratitude, acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty. We are called to give God the first and best of our resources and talents.

Holiness and Dedication
The sacred offering underscores the importance of holiness and being set apart for God's purposes. As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 23:20 foreshadow the ministry of Jesus as our High Priest?

2. In what ways can we offer our "firstfruits" to God in our daily lives today?

3. How does the concept of a wave offering challenge us to live our lives in a way that is visible and dedicated to God?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate gratitude for God's provision in our lives?

5. How can understanding the holiness of offerings in the Old Testament deepen our appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 29:24
This verse describes the wave offering in the context of the consecration of Aaron and his sons, highlighting the role of the priesthood.

Numbers 18:12
Discusses the offerings given to the priests, emphasizing the provision for those who serve in the temple.

1 Corinthians 15:20
Paul refers to Christ as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, connecting the concept of firstfruits to the resurrection.

Hebrews 7:27
Highlights the role of Christ as the ultimate High Priest, offering Himself once for all.
Sermons
The FestivalsR.A. Redford Leviticus 23:1-44
Feasts of the LordW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 23:2-44
God's FestivalsHenry, MatthewLeviticus 23:2-44
God's Holy DaysHenry, MatthewLeviticus 23:2-44
Seven Feasts Mentioned in This ChapterD. C. Hughes, M. A.Leviticus 23:2-44
The Great FeastsJ. C. Gray.Leviticus 23:2-44
The Holy FestivalsJ. A. Seiss, . D. D.Leviticus 23:2-44
The PentecostR.M. Edgar Leviticus 23:15-21
Day of PentecostR.A. Redford Leviticus 23:15-22
Piety in ProsperityW. Clarkson Leviticus 23:15-22
The Feast of HarvestJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 23:15-22
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Besides, Bread, Firstfruits, First-fruits, First-'fruits, Fruits, He-lambs, Holy, Lambs, Offering, Priest, Sacred, Wave, Waved, Wave-offering
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 23:20

     4418   bread
     7480   wave offering

Leviticus 23:9-20

     4442   firstfruits

Leviticus 23:9-22

     8644   commemoration

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

Leviticus 23:19-20

     7357   Feast of Firstfruits

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 Scripture

Of 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

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