‏ Leviticus 23

Leviticus 23:1–3: Sundry Feasts

This section introduces the special holy times that God appointed for Israel. Only God can make time holy, because He is the Lord of time. The feasts and holy days were designed by God for His people, and each one had a special purpose. These were not just for the priests, but for all the people, and were meant to be times of joy, worship, and coming together as a community (Leviticus 23:2 ^a).

v. 2: God tells Moses to announce the holy feasts to the people. These are called “feasts,” but the word can also mean “solemnities” or “special assemblies.” Even the Day of Atonement, which was a day of fasting, is included because all these days were important times set apart for God. These are the Lord’s feasts, kept in His honor and following His command. All the people were called to join, not just the priests. The feasts were to be proclaimed openly, and everyone who heard the announcement was blessed (Genesis 2:3; Esther 9:19 ^b; Isaiah 33:20; Psalm 89:15 ^c).

v. 3: The Sabbath is given special attention before describing the yearly feasts. Even though the annual feasts brought many people together at the sanctuary, the weekly Sabbath was not to be forgotten. On the Sabbath, everyone had to stop their regular work and rest. God wanted His people to use this holy day for worship and for gathering together in holy assemblies if possible. If they could not meet in large groups, they should still keep the Sabbath holy in their own homes. The Sabbath is the Lord’s day, set apart since creation, and should be honored in every household (Leviticus 23:3; Leviticus 23:7 ^d).

Leviticus 23:4–14: The Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits

This section reviews the main feasts that God Himself commanded Israel to keep. These feasts were called the Lord’s feasts because He set them, not people. God chose the timing of these feasts for the comfort and benefit of the people—never in the hard winter or during the busiest part of harvest. The feasts happened often, giving the people regular reminders of God and helping them avoid the false religions around them. Most feasts were joyful, teaching that serving God brings happiness. Only the Day of Atonement was a time for mourning; all others were for celebration.

v. 4: God insisted the feasts be kept at the exact times He appointed. The people were not to make up their own festivals, like Jeroboam did (1 Kings 12:33 ^e). The set times for the feasts also showed God’s care for His people’s needs and schedules .

vv. 5–8: The Passover was to be held on the fourteenth day of the first month. This feast reminded Israel of God’s rescue from Egypt and the protection of their firstborn (Leviticus 23:5 ^f). For seven days after Passover, the people were to eat only unleavened bread (Leviticus 23:6 ^g). The first and seventh days were special days for rest and gathering together for worship (Leviticus 23:7,8 ^h). These were not just days off, but times for offerings, prayer, and learning about God.

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vv. 9–14: On the day after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the people were to bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of their harvest to the priest (Leviticus 23:11 ⁱ). The priest would present it before God, along with a burnt offering and a grain offering (Leviticus 23:12 ^j). No one was allowed to eat the new grain until this offering had been made (Leviticus 23:14 ^k). This showed thankfulness and dependence on God for the harvest. This law would not be used until they entered Canaan, because they did not grow crops in the wilderness (Joshua 5:11 ^l). The offering of firstfruits pointed forward to Jesus, who rose from the dead as the “firstfruits of those that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20 ^m). This law also taught the people to honor God with the first and best of all they received (Proverbs 3:9 ⁿ).

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Leviticus 23:15–22: The Feast of Pentecost (Weeks) and the Law of Gleaning

This passage tells about the Feast of Pentecost, also called the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Harvest. This festival happened fifty days, or seven weeks, after Passover. It celebrated the end of the grain harvest and was a time for the people to thank God for His blessings. God gave detailed instructions for the offerings and sacrifices at Pentecost, and He reminded the people to care for the poor by leaving some grain in the fields for them (Leviticus 23:15–22 ^o).

vv. 15–17: The people were to count seven weeks from the day after the Sabbath during Passover, and then celebrate Pentecost. At this feast, they brought two loaves of bread made with leaven as an offering to God. Unlike the Passover, where the bread was unleavened, here it was regular bread, showing thankfulness for their daily food (Leviticus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16:9 ^p; Exodus 23:16 ^q).

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vv. 18–20: With the bread, the people were to offer seven lambs, two rams, and one bull as burnt offerings to honor God, plus a goat for a sin offering and two lambs for a peace offering. These showed their thanks, their need for forgiveness, and their hope for God’s blessing on their harvest (Leviticus 23:18-20; Haggai 1:9 ^r).

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v. 21: Pentecost was a day of holy gathering for all Israel. It was only one day, probably because this was a busy time for farmers and God wanted them to be able to return to their work quickly .

Spiritual meaning: Pentecost also reminded the Israelites of the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, which happened fifty days after leaving Egypt. For Christians, Pentecost is even more special because the Holy Spirit came on the apostles on this same day, many years later (Acts 2:1 ^s). On that day, God began the Christian church by bringing many people to faith.

v. 22: Along with the feast, God repeated the command to leave the edges of their fields and any leftover grain for the poor and foreigners (Leviticus 23:22; Leviticus 19:9 ^t). This taught the people to be generous, and that obeying God in daily life was as important as bringing offerings.

Leviticus 23:23–32: The Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement

This section describes two important holy days in the seventh month: the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. God set these days apart for special worship and reflection. The Feast of Trumpets marked the beginning of the civil new year and was a time for the people to remember God’s great works and prepare their hearts for the Day of Atonement, a day of deep repentance and seeking forgiveness (Leviticus 23:23–32 ^u).

vv. 24–25: The Feast of Trumpets was held on the first day of the seventh month. This month was once counted as the first month, which is why it also started the year of jubilee (Leviticus 25:8 ^v). The people rested from work and brought special offerings to God. What made this feast unique was the loud blowing of trumpets throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset. This sound reminded the people of the trumpet at Mount Sinai when God gave the law (Psalm 81:3; Psalm 104:7 ^w; Job 38:6,7 ^x). It might also recall the creation of the world, which some believe happened in autumn. Spiritually, the trumpet encouraged people to wake up, examine themselves, and prepare for the Day of Atonement. The trumpet also points to the preaching of the gospel, calling people to serve God (Isaiah 27:13 ^y).

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vv. 26–32: The Day of Atonement is repeated here, focusing on what the people must do. On this day, everyone had to stop all work, just like a weekly Sabbath (Leviticus 23:28,30,31 ^z). The reason was that it was a day for making atonement with God, which required all their attention. The people had to “afflict their souls,” which means to humble themselves and fast. Anyone who did not do this would be cut off from the community (Leviticus 23:27,29,32 ^aa). The day of fasting and repentance started in the evening of the ninth day and lasted until the evening of the tenth. This showed them the importance of preparation before meeting with God, and the value of setting aside time for spiritual things.

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Leviticus 23:33–44: The Feast of Tabernacles

This section describes the Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths. It was one of the three main festivals that all Israelite men had to attend. It was the most joyful of all the feasts, coming after the Day of Atonement and lasting for eight days. During this time, the people remembered how God took care of them in the wilderness and celebrated the harvest with great thankfulness and happiness (Leviticus 23:33–44 ^ab).

vv. 34–36, 39: The Feast of Tabernacles began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, five days after the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:34 ^ac). It lasted eight days. The first and last days were special sabbaths for rest and worship (Leviticus 23:35,36,39 ^ad). During the first seven days, the people lived in booths made from tree branches, especially palms (Leviticus 23:40,42 ^ae). This showed joy and thankfulness, and everyone, even leaders, took part in celebrating before God.

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vv. 37–38: God gave these feasts as special times, separate from the regular sabbaths and free-will offerings. Even during feast weeks, the normal sabbath was to be kept. God wants His people to keep both regular and special times for worship (Leviticus 23:37,38 ^af).

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v. 39: The feast was also called the Feast of Ingathering because it came after all the crops had been gathered. The people were to thank God for all He had provided that year (Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:39 ^ag).

Spiritual meaning: Many believe Jesus was born around the time of this feast, because He “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14 ^ah). In the New Testament, worship is also described as keeping the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16 ^ai). Christians are reminded to live as strangers on earth, not getting too attached to worldly things (Hebrews 13:13,14 ^aj), and to always rejoice in Christ (Philippians 3:3 ^ak).

v. 40: The people were told to rejoice before God during the entire feast. Tradition says they did this with singing, dancing, and playing instruments, not just regular people, but also their wise men and leaders (Leviticus 23:40 ^al).

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v. 43: The purpose of living in booths was to remind every generation how God cared for Israel in the wilderness, when they lived in tents. This helped them remember both their humble beginnings and God’s great mercy. After the feast, when the people went back to their homes, they would appreciate their settled life even more .

v. 44: Moses told the people exactly what God commanded about the feasts. He did not add or take away from God’s instructions. Christians today can be thankful that God’s holy days are fewer and more spiritual, pointing forward to the great celebration in heaven (Leviticus 23:44 ^am).