Leviticus 23 24

Leviticus 23:24 kjv

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

Leviticus 23:24 nkjv

"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.

Leviticus 23:24 niv

"Say to the Israelites: 'On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.

Leviticus 23:24 esv

"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation.

Leviticus 23:24 nlt

"Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet.

Leviticus 23 verses

Leviticus 23 24 Meaning

(h2)Leviticus 23:24 ordains the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) to be observed on the first day of the seventh month of the sacred calendar. This day is designated as a holy Sabbath-rest, where all ordinary labor ceases. Its primary characteristics are remembrance and the solemn sounding of trumpets, marking a sacred assembly for the community. It functions as a solemn "wake-up call," inaugurating a period of introspection and preparation for subsequent High Holy Days.

Leviticus 23 24 Context

(h2)Leviticus chapter 23 meticulously outlines the Lord's appointed times (Hebrew: mo'adim), or festivals, which structure Israel's spiritual calendar and govern their worship. These include the weekly Sabbath and seven annual feasts. The feasts are categorized into spring (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Weeks) and fall (Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles), reflecting the agricultural seasons. Leviticus 23:24 introduces the first of the three fall feasts, the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah). Unlike other feasts with clear historical narratives (e.g., Passover commemorates the Exodus), Yom Teruah's explicit purpose remains somewhat undefined in the Torah itself, which emphasizes its significance as a "memorial of trumpet blasts." Historically, this festival served as a powerful reminder of God's presence, an announcement, and a call to readiness for the people of Israel as they lived under the Sinai covenant, establishing a divine rhythm in contrast to the unpredictable and often idolatrous festivals of surrounding pagan nations. It served as a sacred pause, redirecting their focus from daily life to divine communion.

Leviticus 23 24 Word analysis

(h2)

• "Speak to the people of Israel": This phrase emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the command. These instructions are directly from Yahweh to His chosen covenant people, implying a collective obligation and a unique relationship.
• "In the seventh month":
  • חֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי (chodesh hashvi'i): Literally "month the seventh." The seventh month (Tishrei on the civil calendar, Ethanim in earlier texts) holds significant spiritual importance in the Hebrew calendar. It contains three of the seven major feasts and includes the most solemn day, Yom Kippur. The number seven in Hebrew numerology often symbolizes completion, divine perfection, and spiritual rest.
  • This choice of month points to a climax or culmination in the annual cycle, initiating a period of profound spiritual introspection leading to Atonement and joy.
• "on the first day of the month": This refers to the Rosh Chodesh (New Moon), which ordinarily involves trumpet blasts and specific sacrifices. However, this particular Rosh Chodesh is elevated to a special feast, a Sabbaton, unlike others, underscoring its unique significance.
• "you shall have a sabbath-rest":
  • שַׁבַּתּוֹן (shabbatton): This word signifies a "great sabbath" or a day of complete cessation from customary labor. While distinct from the weekly Sabbath, it carries a similar strict requirement for rest and devotion. It means work activity is forbidden, setting the day apart as sacred time belonging wholly to God. This command elevates the day from a mere celebration to a profound sacred pause.
• "a memorial of trumpet blasts":
  • זִכְרוֹן תְּרוּעָה (zichron teruah): This is a core phrase defining the festival.
    • זִכְרוֹן (zichron): "Memorial," "remembrance." This concept implies not just humans remembering God, but also God remembering His covenant promises, His people, and their deeds (both righteous and unrighteous). It is an active calling to mind, often involving divine intervention. In other contexts, it refers to items (e.g., stones on high priest's ephod, Ex. 28:12) or acts (Passover, Ex. 12:14) that trigger remembrance.
    • תְּרוּעָה (teruah): A distinct type of trumpet sound, produced by the shofar (ram's horn) or silver trumpets. Unlike a continuous blast (tekiah), teruah is often a broken, fluctuating sound (like short, rapid blasts). It can signify alarm (war, judgment), a call to assembly, a shout of acclamation (for a king), a cry of joy, or even deep sorrow and repentance. Its ambiguous nature leaves its precise purpose open-ended in this context, leading to varied interpretations concerning warning, enthronement, or judgment. It served as a call to spiritual awakening and readiness.
• "a holy convocation":
  • מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ (miqra kodesh): "Sacred assembly," "holy gathering." This denotes a mandatory public assembly called by God for worship and instruction. It signifies that the community is to be "called out" and "set apart" for a special purpose, focusing on their covenant relationship with God.

Leviticus 23 24 Bonus section

(h2)

• Rabbinic Interpretations: While not explicit in Torah, later Jewish tradition (post-biblical) associates Yom Teruah with Rosh Hashanah (the head of the year), celebrating the creation of the world and God's enthronement as King. It's considered the "Day of Judgment" (Yom Ha-Din) where God reviews the deeds of humanity, and the shofar blast is understood as both a cry for mercy and an affirmation of God's sovereignty.
• Absence of Historical Anchor: The lack of a specific historical event to commemorate in Lev 23:24, unlike Passover (Exodus) or Weeks (Sinai), makes the Feast of Trumpets uniquely forward-looking or broad in its significance. This may point to its future or eschatological fulfillment.
• Counter-Paganism: In a polytheistic ancient world, various new moon festivals were dedicated to different deities. Yahweh's precise calendar for Israel, with a special emphasis on the seventh month's new moon, explicitly directed their worship and devotion away from pagan practices and solely towards the One God. It served as a polemic, establishing YHWH's sovereign control over time and creation.
• A "Concealed Day": Due to it beginning on the first day of the month, its exact start depends on the visual sighting of the new moon. This introduced an element of uncertainty and required spiritual watchfulness, often leading to it being celebrated for two days to ensure proper observance, sometimes called the "long day." This aspect echoes the concept of Christ's return occurring at an unknown time, demanding constant readiness.

Leviticus 23 24 Commentary

(h2)Leviticus 23:24 introduces the Feast of Trumpets, a day distinct from the common New Moon observation. Unlike other feasts tied to specific historical events or harvest cycles, its precise reason in the Torah, "a memorial of trumpet blasts," invites broader spiritual contemplation. This ambiguity is intentional, allowing it to encompass various themes: a call to spiritual vigilance, an alarm before the solemn Day of Atonement, an announcement of divine sovereignty, or a reminder of God's watchful presence. The "teruah" blast itself acts as a wake-up call, urging introspection and repentance. This feast, occurring at the start of the "Days of Awe" (leading up to Yom Kippur), sets a tone of solemn anticipation and a call for a renewed focus on covenant obligations. Prophetically, the imagery of trumpets resonates deeply within the New Testament, heralding significant divine events, most notably the resurrection of the dead and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. It underscores a timeless biblical principle: God communicates His timing and purpose through divine signals, demanding spiritual readiness from His people.