Leviticus 23:20 kjv
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.
Leviticus 23:20 nkjv
The priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.
Leviticus 23:20 niv
The priest is to wave the two lambs before the LORD as a wave offering, together with the bread of the firstfruits. They are a sacred offering to the LORD for the priest.
Leviticus 23:20 esv
And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.
Leviticus 23:20 nlt
"The priest will lift up the two lambs as a special offering to the LORD, together with the loaves representing the first of your crops. These offerings, which are holy to the LORD, belong to the priests.
Leviticus 23 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 29:24 | "You shall put all these in the hands of Aaron... wave them..." | Wave offering principle |
| Lev 7:30 | "His own hands shall bring the Lord’s food offerings;... a wave offering." | Priestly role in wave offering |
| Lev 23:17 | "You shall bring from your dwelling places two wave loaves... as firstfruits to the Lord." | Source of the bread of firstfruits |
| Lev 23:19 | "Then you shall offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs for a sacrifice of peace offerings." | Source of the two lambs |
| Num 6:20 | "the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the Lord." | Example of priest waving |
| Num 18:8 | "And the Lord spoke to Aaron: 'Behold, I have given you charge of My offerings... from all the dedicated things..." | Priestly portion from holy offerings |
| Num 18:11 | "And this is yours: the contribution of their gift, all the wave offerings..." | Priestly share of wave offerings |
| Deut 26:1-10 | Instructions for bringing firstfruits | Offering of firstfruits |
| 1 Cor 15:20 | "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." | Christ as the ultimate firstfruits |
| 1 Cor 15:23 | "But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ." | Christ's preeminence as firstfruits |
| Jas 1:18 | "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." | Believers as spiritual firstfruits |
| Rom 8:23 | "...and not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons..." | Holy Spirit as firstfruits for believers |
| Acts 2:1-4 | Description of the Day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit | New Covenant fulfillment of Pentecost |
| Rev 14:4 | "These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes... firstfruits for God and the Lamb." | Redeemed believers as end-time firstfruits |
| Lev 27:30 | "Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord." | Concept of holiness and dedication |
| Heb 7:5 | "And those among the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people..." | Priestly right to provision |
| Prov 3:9-10 | "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty..." | Principle of offering firstfruits |
| Neh 10:37 | "We would bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the new wine and the oil, to the priests..." | Historical practice of providing for priests |
| Ezek 44:30 | "The first of all the firstfruits of every kind... shall belong to the priests..." | Priests' right to firstfruits |
| 2 Tim 2:6 | "It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops." | Laborer deserving sustenance |
| Gal 6:6 | "Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches." | Sharing provision with spiritual teachers |
Leviticus 23 verses
Leviticus 23 20 Meaning
This verse describes the culminating act of the offering made during the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). It specifies that the priest is to present, through a distinctive wave motion, the two leavened loaves of the new grain and the two male lambs (which were part of the peace offering) before the Lord. These items, having been presented to God, are then designated as holy and consecrated for the sustenance of the priestly family, symbolizing divine provision for those who serve Him.
Leviticus 23 20 Context
Leviticus chapter 23 meticulously outlines the seven appointed feasts of the Lord (Hebrew: moedim), which were annual convocations marking sacred times for the Israelite community to worship and remember God's mighty acts. This chapter emphasizes the divine origin and mandatory observance of these feasts, instructing Israel on how to maintain their covenant relationship with God through communal worship and sacrifice.
Leviticus 23:20 specifically details an action within the Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot or Pentecost (which occurred fifty days after the presentation of the barley sheaf from the Passover Sabbath). The preceding verses (Lev 23:17-19) describe the central offerings for this feast: two new loaves made from the year's fresh wheat harvest (the "firstfruits" of wheat) along with specific animal sacrifices (seven lambs, one bull, two rams as a burnt offering; one male goat as a sin offering; and two male lambs as a peace offering). Verse 20 provides the crucial instruction for the presentation of these wave offerings by the priest. This feast celebrates the completion of the grain harvest, offering thanks to God as the provider. Historically, it also came to be associated with the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, highlighting both natural and spiritual provision from God. The practices outlined underscore a covenantal relationship where God blesses His people, and in response, they consecrate the first and best back to Him, acknowledging His ultimate ownership, while He in turn provides for His dedicated servants, the priests.
Leviticus 23 20 Word analysis
The priest: Refers to a member of the Aaronic priesthood, divinely appointed to mediate between God and the Israelites. He represents the community before God and facilitates the holy acts of worship and sacrifice.
shall wave: (Hebrew: nuph - נוּף). This verb denotes a specific ceremonial action, moving the offering back and forth or up and down before the altar. It signifies presenting the item to God, dedicating it to Him, and then by receiving it back, acknowledging that it is a gift from God returned for sacred use, often shared with the priest. It embodies consecration and recognition of divine ownership.
them: This pronoun collectively refers to the two loaves of bread (described as "the bread of the firstfruits") and "the two lambs" that follow in the verse. These are the physical elements being consecrated.
with the bread of the firstfruits: (Hebrew: lechem bikurim - לֶחֶם בִּכּוּרִים).
- bread (lechem): Signifies a staple food, representing the sustenance and provision God grants from the harvest.
- firstfruits (bikurim): The first and best portion of the harvest. This term highlights God's sovereignty over the land and its produce. Offering the firstfruits is an act of thanksgiving, faith, and acknowledgment that the entire harvest belongs to Him. Uniquely for this feast, these loaves were made with leaven, representing the natural state of humanity, yet offered and made holy by divine instruction.
as a wave offering: (Hebrew: tenuphah - תְּנוּפָה). This is a technical term for a specific type of sacrifice where the offering is "waved." It's not consumed entirely on the altar (like a burnt offering) but involves a portion being given to the priests after being presented to God. It symbolizes an offering given completely to God's service and provision.
before the Lord: Denotes the sacred space and audience—the offering is presented directly to God, symbolizing His immediate presence and reception. This act took place at the altar in the Tabernacle or later, the Temple.
with the two lambs: These lambs are specified in Lev 23:19 as a "sacrifice of peace offerings." Peace offerings (Hebrew: zevah shelamim) symbolized communion and fellowship between God and the offerer, and parts were often eaten by the worshiper, the priest, and burned on the altar. Including them with the firstfruits bread emphasizes reconciliation and communion in the context of gratitude for harvest.
They shall be holy: (Hebrew: qodesh - קֹדֶשׁ). Meaning "set apart," "consecrated," or "sanctified." Once offered and waved before the Lord, these items (the bread and the lambs) transition from common to holy status. They are now distinct and dedicated for divine use.
to the Lord: Emphasizes God's ultimate ownership and the recipient of the holy consecration. The holiness is derived from being designated for Him.
for the priest: After being presented to the Lord and deemed holy, these items (specifically, the wave-offered bread and parts of the peace offering lambs) were then designated as the priest's portion. This highlights God's system for sustaining those who served Him, ensuring their provision through the very offerings that honored God.
Words-group analysis:
- "The priest shall wave them... before the Lord": This phrase underlines the centrality of the priesthood in Israelite worship. The priest acts as the authorized representative and mediator, performing the specific ceremonial actions required for the offerings to be acceptable and effective "before the Lord," emphasizing the sanctity of the ritual.
- "the bread of the firstfruits... with the two lambs": This grouping emphasizes the dual nature of the offerings during the Feast of Weeks: the harvest's new produce (grain) combined with animal sacrifice. It showcases comprehensive gratitude for God's provision (agricultural) and His covenantal relationship (through sacrificial atonement and peace offerings), presenting both the fruit of the land and the animals for fellowship and purification.
- "They shall be holy to the Lord for the priest": This statement establishes the divine distribution of the consecrated items. What is consecrated "to the Lord" (owned by Him) is then graciously given "for the priest" (for their use and sustenance). It exemplifies God's orderly provision for His ministers from what is His own, fostering their ability to continue serving without worldly distraction.
Leviticus 23 20 Bonus section
The inclusion of two leavened loaves as part of the grain offering at Pentecost is highly significant. In many other contexts (e.g., grain offerings with burnt sacrifices, Passover), leaven (yeast) symbolized corruption or sin and was strictly forbidden. However, for the Feast of Weeks, these leavened loaves represented the reality of human existence and labor, including our imperfections, yet being made holy by God's grace and offered before Him. This points towards the New Covenant reality where God accepts sinful humanity, redeemed by Christ, and empowers them by His Spirit. Furthermore, the number "two" often symbolizes witness or communion. Here, "two wave loaves" and "two lambs" might imply a double portion of grace or a unified offering from the diverse parts of Israel to their one God. This feast traditionally marked the beginning of the wheat harvest, distinct from the earlier barley harvest (Omer).
Leviticus 23 20 Commentary
Leviticus 23:20 brings into focus the divine orchestration of worship and provision during the Feast of Weeks. The act of "waving" by the priest is highly symbolic, signifying the offering's full presentation to God, acknowledging His ownership and supreme authority, before it is symbolically returned for priestly sustenance. This embodies the principle that all blessings flow from God, and a portion is consecrated back to Him, which then provides for those dedicated to His service. The specific offering of "bread of the firstfruits," unique in its leavened nature compared to many grain offerings, powerfully symbolizes humanity, redeemed yet still bearing imperfections, presented before a holy God. Coupled with the two peace offering lambs, it speaks to a covenant relationship marked by reconciliation, fellowship, and divine acceptance, even of an imperfect people. This ritual underscored God's faithfulness in providing sustenance (the harvest) and the means of spiritual communion, while also establishing the foundational support for the Levitical priesthood. It points typologically to a new spiritual harvest and provision, ultimately fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2), bringing forth a "firstfruits" of humanity to God, purchased by Christ's perfect sacrifice and made holy in Him.