Topical Bible: The Feast of Pentecost: Sacrifices At

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Feast of Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot, is one of the major Jewish festivals outlined in the Old Testament. It occurs fifty days after the Feast of Firstfruits, marking the completion of the grain harvest. This feast is significant not only for its agricultural implications but also for its spiritual and historical importance, as it commemorates the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.

Biblical Instructions for Sacrifices

The instructions for the sacrifices to be offered during the Feast of Pentecost are detailed in the Pentateuch, specifically in the books of Leviticus and Numbers. In Leviticus 23:15-21, the Israelites are commanded to count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath following the Passover, culminating in the fiftieth day, which is the Feast of Pentecost. On this day, a new grain offering is to be presented to the LORD.

The offerings include:

1. Two Loaves of Bread: Made from fine flour and baked with leaven, these loaves are to be presented as a wave offering. Leviticus 23:17 states, "From wherever you live, you are to bring two loaves of bread as a wave offering, made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with yeast, as firstfruits to the LORD."

2. Burnt Offerings: Numbers 28:27-29 specifies the burnt offerings to be made: "Present a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all without blemish. Along with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, and one-tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs."

3. Sin Offering: A male goat is to be offered as a sin offering, as stated in Numbers 28:30: "Include one male goat to make atonement for you."

4. Peace Offerings: Leviticus 23:19 mentions the sacrifice of peace offerings: "You shall also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs a year old as a sacrifice of peace offerings."

Significance of the Sacrifices

The sacrifices at Pentecost hold deep theological significance. The wave offering of the two loaves, made with leaven, is unique as leaven typically symbolizes sin and is usually excluded from offerings. However, in this context, it may represent the inclusion of the Gentiles into the covenant community, as leavened bread was a staple in everyday life, symbolizing the commonality and universality of God's provision.

The burnt offerings signify total dedication and consecration to God, as they are wholly consumed by fire. The sin offering underscores the need for atonement and purification, acknowledging human sinfulness and the necessity of divine forgiveness. The peace offerings, or fellowship offerings, symbolize reconciliation and communion with God, celebrating the peace and fellowship between the divine and the human.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the Feast of Pentecost takes on additional significance with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, as recorded in Acts 2. This event marks the birth of the Church and the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, as prophesied in Joel 2:28-32. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect sacrifice for sin, bringing about reconciliation and peace between God and humanity.

The Feast of Pentecost, with its prescribed sacrifices, thus serves as a profound reminder of God's provision, the necessity of atonement, and the promise of spiritual renewal and empowerment through the Holy Spirit.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 23:18,19
And you 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 to the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet smell to the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 28:27-31
But you shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet smell to the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Acts XXI
... That the feast of Pentecost did transpire immediately after his arrival in Jerusalem,
is indicated by the immense multitude of Jews ... We refer to sacrifices. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxi.htm

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
... The Passover feast, as well as animal sacrifices and the feeding on them ... days of
expectation, on the morning of the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, the Promise ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter i the foundation of.htm

Faustus Fails to Understand Why He Should be Required Either to ...
... It is the same with the feast of Pentecost, or seven weeks, and the accompaniment
of a certain kind and number of sacrifices which Moses enjoins: [1033] you ...
/.../faustus fails to understand why.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... at the new moon: and not at the full moon, to avoid the worship of idolaters who
used to offer sacrifices to the ... The feast of "Pentecost" was celebrated ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

The Story of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem
... precious perfumes, frankincense and myrrh, which were used in offering sacrifices;
and they ... Some families also stayed to the feast of Pentecost, which was ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of jesus the.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... yet quite so readily in summer's heat for Pentecost. ... smoke of the burning, smouldering
sacrifices rose in ... well might Israel designate the Feast of Tabernacles ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

Otho, Bishop of Bamberg.
... The Feast of Pentecost gave him ... one, according to his degree, sought to prove the
genuineness of his conversion by his works, itnd the sacrifices which he ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/otho bishop of bamberg.htm

Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ...
... is called by the Hebrews Asartha, which signifies Pentecost, they bring ... they are
to rest entirely, and must slay sacrifices, in order to feast upon them. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the festivals.htm

Letter vii. --For 335. Easter-Day iv Pharmuthi, iii Kal. April; xx ...
... and supported it on seven pillars; she hath killed her sacrifices, and mingled ... of
Pharmuthi (Mar.30), let us afterwards keep the holy feast of Pentecost. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter vii for 335 easter-day iv.htm

Vocation of Therese
... for those who love Him; and, seeing that eternal rewards are so much in excess of
the petty sacrifices of this life ... I chose the feast of Pentecost on which ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter v vocation of therese.htm