Leviticus 23 37

Leviticus 23:37 kjv

These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:

Leviticus 23:37 nkjv

'These are the feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day?

Leviticus 23:37 niv

("?'These are the LORD's appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing food offerings to the LORD?the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day.

Leviticus 23:37 esv

"These are the appointed feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the LORD food offerings, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day,

Leviticus 23:37 nlt

("These are the LORD's appointed festivals. Celebrate them each year as official days for holy assembly by presenting special gifts to the LORD ? burnt offerings, grain offerings, sacrifices, and liquid offerings ? each on its proper day.

Leviticus 23 verses

Leviticus 23 37 Meaning

Leviticus 23:37 serves as a summary statement at the conclusion of the detailed enumeration of the Lord's appointed feasts. It declares that the listed celebrations—the Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles—are God-ordained assemblies, distinct from human observances. During these "holy convocations," specific offerings were commanded to be presented to the Lord: burnt offerings (representing complete devotion), grain offerings (acknowledging God's provision and our toil), various sacrifices (often for fellowship or expiation), and drink offerings (symbols of pouring out one's life in devotion), each precisely assigned to its respective day within the festive calendar. The verse underscores the divine origin, the sanctity, and the meticulous ritual requirements of Israel's worship, emphasizing that these were specific acts of reverence directed solely to the Lord.

Leviticus 23 37 Context

Leviticus Chapter 23 outlines the sacred calendar of the Israelite year, beginning with the weekly Sabbath and proceeding through seven annual feasts: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. This chapter sets forth the specific times and initial rituals for each holy observance, distinguishing them from ordinary days. Verse 37 specifically concludes the detailed instructions for all these feasts, summarizing the core command for each: to assemble for holy convocation and to present a variety of offerings by fire. Historically, these feasts were critical for the communal and spiritual life of Israel, establishing regular patterns of worship, remembering God's interventions in their history (like the Exodus), and cultivating anticipation for future divine acts. They ensured national unity, provided seasons of rest and joy, and continually redirected the people's focus to God's presence among them, His holiness, and His provision.

Leviticus 23 37 Word analysis

• These (אֵ֣לֶּה - ’elleh): A demonstrative pronoun, serving as a direct reference to the complete list of festivals previously detailed in Leviticus 23:1-36. It signifies a clear summation and affirmation of the preceding commands.
• are the feasts (מֹֽוֲעֲדֵ֣י - mōw‘ăḏê): The plural form of mo'ed (מֹועֵד). This word signifies "appointed times" or "set seasons." It goes beyond a simple gathering, implying a divinely ordained appointment or sacred assembly, chosen by God Himself for specific purposes. This term emphasizes the divine initiative and authority behind these celebrations.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה֮ - YHWH): Refers to the Tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name. This emphasizes that these feasts are not human traditions but belong to God, instituted by Him and for Him. They are not merely cultural events but divinely commanded acts of worship.
• which you shall proclaim (אֲשֶׁר־תִּקְרְא֣וּ אֹתָ֗ם - ’ăšer tiq'rû ’ōṯām): Tiq'rû comes from qara' (קָרָא), meaning "to call, to proclaim." This highlights the responsibility of the priests and leaders to formally announce and ensure the observance of these feasts to the whole community, underscoring their communal and mandatory nature.
• as holy convocations (מִקְרָאֵי קֹ֛דֶשׁ - miq'rā’ê qōḏeš): Mikra' (מִקְרָא) means "convocation," "assembly," or "calling together." Kodesh (קֹדֶשׁ) means "holiness" or "sacredness." Combined, it means a "sacred assembly" or "holy calling," implying a time set apart from ordinary life, dedicated to God, for the purpose of drawing near to Him in collective worship. These were mandatory gatherings.
• to offer (לְהַקְרִ֙יב - ləhaqrîv): From the verb qarab (קָרַב), meaning "to draw near" or "to present an offering." This points to the purpose of the convocation: to approach God through prescribed acts of worship and sacrifice.
• an offering made by fire (קָרְבָּ֤ן אִשֶּׁה֙ - qorban ’iššeh): Qorban (קָרְבָּן) is a general term for "an offering" or "gift" brought near to God, deriving from qarab. Isheh (אִשֶּׁה) denotes an offering consumed by fire on the altar, releasing a "pleasing aroma" to the Lord (Lev 1:9, 17). This signifies devotion, atonement, and communion.
• to the Lord (לַֽיהוָ֔ה - laYHWH): Again, emphasizing God as the sole recipient and object of these offerings and worship.
• a burnt offering (עֹלָ֛ה - ‘ōlāh): The Olah, meaning "that which ascends." This offering was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication, atonement for unintentional sin, and worshipful devotion ascending wholly to God.
• and a grain offering (וּמִנְחָ֥ה - ûminḥāh): The Minchah, typically made of flour, oil, and frankincense. It was an offering of homage, gratitude for God's provision, or a symbol of dedication of one's produce and labor. Part was burnt, and part consumed by the priests.
• a sacrifice (וָזֶ֖בַח - wāzevaḥ): The Zevach, a broad term for an animal sacrifice, often referring to a peace offering (zevach shelamim), where portions were offered to God, to the priests, and to the worshipper, symbolizing communion and fellowship.
• and drink offerings (וּנְסָכִ֑ים - ûnsāḵîm): The Nesakim, liquid offerings, typically wine, poured out beside the altar. They accompanied many sacrifices, symbolizing an overflowing measure of devotion, gratitude, and libation of one's self.
• each on its own day (דְּבַר־יֹ֥ום בְּיֹומֹֽו׃ - dəvar yōwm bəyōwmōw): Literally "matter of day in its day." This phrase stresses the specific, appointed timing and particular requirements for the offerings on each individual feast day. It highlights the divine order, precision, and the strict adherence demanded in worship, emphasizing that each observance had its unique prescription.

Words-group Analysis:

• "These are the feasts of the Lord": This opening phrase serves as a categorical declaration, tying together all the preceding instructions in chapter 23. It establishes the divine ownership and sacredness of these annual and weekly observances. They are not merely Israelite traditions, but mo'edim Adonai – the appointed times of God.
• "which you shall proclaim as holy convocations": This stresses the mandatory and communal nature. "Holy convocations" (mikra'ei kodesh) means divinely called assemblies set apart for sacred purposes. It implies both a specific physical gathering and a spiritual readiness, a collective cessation from normal labor to focus on God. These were not optional but commanded assemblies.
• "to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings": This lists the prescribed means of worship during these gatherings. The emphasis on "offering by fire" highlights the active and sacrificial nature of their devotion. The specific enumeration of burnt offering (total dedication), grain offering (acknowledgement of provision and toil), various sacrifices (fellowship, atonement), and drink offerings (poured out devotion) covers a spectrum of spiritual meanings in their approach to God. It shows the varied ways God provided for communion, forgiveness, and worship.
• "each on its own day": This closing phrase underlines the meticulous order and divine specificity in Israel's worship. Every feast had unique requirements regarding timing and accompanying offerings (as detailed in Numbers 28-29), preventing ad-hoc worship and reinforcing obedience to divine ordinance. It signifies the structured nature of true worship, demanding precise adherence to God’s commands rather than human innovations.

Leviticus 23 37 Bonus section

The concept of mo'ed extends beyond merely "feasts" to include all "appointed times" set by God, whether for divine revelation, judgment, or sacred assemblies. This reinforces the idea that time itself belongs to God and can be sanctified. The meticulous instruction for "each on its own day" was crucial because these rituals were not only acts of worship but also served as prophetic shadows (Col 2:17). Each feast symbolically prefigured aspects of God's redemptive plan through the Messiah. Passover pointed to Christ's sacrifice, Unleavened Bread to His sinlessness and purification for believers, Firstfruits to His resurrection, Pentecost to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Trumpets to His return and gathering of believers, Atonement to His propitiatory work on the cross, and Tabernacles to His future reign and dwelling among His people. Thus, this summarizing verse, though ritualistic on the surface, laid foundational blueprints for understanding God's covenant relationship with Israel and His overarching plan for humanity's salvation, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very order and repetition of these feasts ingrained a deep spiritual rhythm in Israel, training them in habits of obedience, remembrance, and hopeful anticipation.

Leviticus 23 37 Commentary

Leviticus 23:37 summarizes the core purpose of Israel's divinely appointed feast calendar: they are mandatory, holy assemblies focused on worship through specific sacrificial offerings to God. Far from being mere rituals, these "feasts of the Lord" (אֵלֶּה מֹועֲדֵי יְהוָה) were sacred appointments (mo'edim) where Israel was to draw near to God in corporate worship. The emphasis on "holy convocations" (mikra'ei kodesh) meant a sacred "calling out" or assembly, set apart from the ordinary and dedicated to encountering God. The variety of "offerings made by fire" (burnt, grain, sacrifice, drink) covered a comprehensive range of Israel's spiritual responses: complete surrender, gratitude for provision, fellowship, expiation, and wholehearted devotion. The phrase "each on its own day" underscores the precision, order, and faithfulness required in their worship, reinforcing that God specifies how He desires to be approached. This verse not only concludes the list of feasts but also encapsulates the divine design for Israel's structured, sacrificial worship—a pattern of approaching God through divinely ordained means that would ultimately find its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual transformation in Christ.For instance, the peace offering's communal meal reflected the desire for fellowship, which Christians now experience through communion in Christ (1 Cor 10:16-17). The burnt offering’s complete dedication is paralleled by presenting oneself as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1).