The term "first-ripe" in the Bible refers to the earliest fruits or produce of the harvest season. This concept is deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of ancient Israel and holds significant spiritual and religious meaning. The first-ripe fruits were considered a symbol of God's provision and blessing, and they played a crucial role in the worship and offerings of the Israelites.

Biblical References and Significance

1. Firstfruits Offering: The concept of first-ripe is closely associated with the offering of firstfruits, which was a key aspect of Israelite worship. According to the Law of Moses, the Israelites were commanded to bring the first and best of their harvest to the Lord as an offering. This act was a demonstration of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over the land and its produce. In Leviticus 23:10 , God instructs the Israelites: "Speak to the Israelites and say, 'When you enter the land I am giving you and reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest.'"

2. Symbol of God's Blessing: The first-ripe fruits were seen as a tangible sign of God's blessing and faithfulness. In Deuteronomy 26:1-2 , the Israelites are reminded of their obligation to bring the firstfruits to the Lord: "When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you take possession of it and settle in it, you are to take some of the firstfruits of all the produce of the soil that you harvest from the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name."

3. Spiritual Implications: The offering of first-ripe fruits also carried spiritual implications, symbolizing the dedication of the first and best of one's life to God. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to offer themselves as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). The firstfruits offering foreshadows the ultimate offering of Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20), signifying His resurrection as the first of many who will be raised to eternal life.

4. Prophetic Imagery: The imagery of first-ripe fruits is also used prophetically in the Bible. In Jeremiah 24:2 , the prophet describes a vision of two baskets of figs, one of which contains very good figs, like those that are first-ripe. This vision symbolizes the fate of the people of Judah, with the good figs representing those who will be preserved and restored.

5. Cultural Context: In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, the timing and quality of the first-ripe fruits were crucial. The first-ripe grapes, figs, and other produce were eagerly anticipated as they marked the beginning of the harvest season. The offering of these firstfruits was not only a religious duty but also a communal celebration of God's provision.

In summary, the concept of first-ripe in the Bible encompasses both the physical act of offering the first of the harvest to God and the deeper spiritual significance of dedicating the best of one's life to Him. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the believer's call to live a life of gratitude and devotion.1063. bikkurah -- the first ripe fig, early fig
... Word Origin from bakar Definition the first ripe fig, early fig NASB Word Usage
earliest fruit (1), first-ripe (1), first-ripe fig (2). firstripe fruit. ...
/hebrew/1063.htm - 6k

1073. bakkurah -- firstripe
... Word Origin see bikkurah. firstripe By orthographical variation for bikkuwrah; a
first- ripe fig -- firstripe. see HEBREW bikkuwrah. 1072, 1073. ...
/hebrew/1073.htm - 5k

1061. bikkurim -- first fruits
... Word Origin from bakar Definition first fruits NASB Word Usage early ripened things
(2), first fruits (12), first ripe (1), first ripe fruits (1), ripe fruit (1 ...
/hebrew/1061.htm - 6k

None but Jesus --Second Part
... There are some clusters of this vine which we shall not be able to gather till we
go to heaven; but this is one of the first ripe clusters and may be plucked ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/none but jesussecond part.htm

Fragment v. --That up to the Time of the Destruction of Jerusalem ...
... and diverse fruits, so that the grape-clusters are found at that time; as says the
lawgiver, "Now, it was the time of spring, of the first ripe grapes;" [2367 ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/fragment v that up to the.htm

Isaiah's Discourse
... Ephraim shall be trodden under foot: and the fading flower of his glorious beauty,
which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be as the firstripe fig before ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv isaiahs discourse.htm

Fragment Lv. "Then Drew Near unto Him the Mother of Zebedee's ...
... the first-fruits of the produce, hear what He has Himself declared: "As a grape,"
He says, "I have found Israel in the wilderness, and as first-ripe figs your ...
/.../fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/fragment lv then drew near.htm

Afraid of Giants
... not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now
the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.21. So they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

God Rejoicing in the New Creation
... We are the commencement of the future ingathering. Our new-born spirits are the
first ripe ears of corn out of a wonderful harvest that will come by-and-by. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/god rejoicing in the new.htm

The Voice of the Blood of Christ
... no remission of sin; therefore," said he, "O Cain, I will not be content to bring
an offering of the ground, of the ears of corn, or of first ripe fruits, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the voice of the blood.htm

On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ...
... fruits of the oil, and of the wine, and of the wheat, all which they shall give
unto the Lord, to thee have I given them; and all that is first ripe, to thee ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv on the management of.htm

Nahum's Doom of Nineveh
... enemy. All thy fortresses shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs:
If they be shaken, They fall into the mouth of the eater. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/xi nahums doom of nineveh.htm

A Caution to the Presumptuous
... God. But alas! very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is
removed by the rough handling of the surrounding world. The ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/a caution to the presumptuous.htm

Firstripe (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Firstripe (2 Occurrences). Hosea 9:10 I found
Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers ...
/f/firstripe.htm - 7k

First-ripe (7 Occurrences)
First-ripe. Firstripe, First-ripe. First-time . Multi-Version Concordance ... (WEB
JPS ASV DBY RSV). Firstripe, First-ripe. First-time . Reference Bible.
/f/first-ripe.htm - 8k

Ripe (29 Occurrences)
... Be of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time
of the first-ripe grapes." (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/ripe.htm - 16k

Ripened (8 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 2:14 And if thou bring near a present of first-ripe 'fruits' to Jehovah, --
of green ears, roasted with fire, beaten out 'corn' of a fruitful field ...
/r/ripened.htm - 9k

Fruitful (57 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 2:14 And if thou bring near a present of first-ripe 'fruits' to Jehovah, --
of green ears, roasted with fire, beaten out 'corn' of a fruitful field ...
/f/fruitful.htm - 24k

Figs (27 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 24:2 One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe;
and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so ...
/f/figs.htm - 15k

Fig (45 Occurrences)
... Such fruit is known in Arabic as dafur, or "early figs," and in Hebrew as bikkurah,
"the first-ripe" (Isaiah 28:4 Jeremiah 24:2 Hosea 9:10). ...
/f/fig.htm - 33k

Firstfruits (37 Occurrences)
... protogennematon, is not quite clear. It may mean the first-ripe or the
choicest of the first-fruits. The re'shith offerings were ...
/f/firstfruits.htm - 24k

Firstlings (7 Occurrences)

/f/firstlings.htm - 8k

Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... Such fruit is known in Arabic as dafur, or "early figs," and in Hebrew as bikkurah,
"the first-ripe" (Isaiah 28:4 Jeremiah 24:2 Hosea 9:10). ...
/f/fig-tree.htm - 26k

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