1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.
4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's passover.
6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.
7 In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
8 But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
9 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
12 And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.
13 And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savor: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.
14 And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
18 And ye 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 unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savor unto the LORD.
19 Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
20 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.
21 And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
22 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.
23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
24 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.
25 Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
26 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
33 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.
35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.
37 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:
38 Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.
39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.
40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.
The book of Leviticus is the third book of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is a detailed account of the laws and regulations given to the Israelites by God through Moses. The book of Leviticus is primarily concerned with the priestly duties and responsibilities of the Levites, the tribe of Israel that was designated for religious service. It also outlines the laws and rituals for the Israelites to follow in order to maintain their relationship with God.
Chapter 23 of Leviticus is a continuation of the laws and regulations given to the Israelites. This chapter focuses on the appointed feasts and holy days that the Israelites were commanded to observe. The chapter is divided into three main sections, each containing different instructions on how to observe these feasts and holy days.
The first section of chapter 23 discusses the Sabbath, which is considered to be a holy day of rest and worship for the Israelites. The Sabbath was to be observed every seventh day, from Friday evening to Saturday evening. This day was set aside for the Israelites to rest from their work and to focus on their relationship with God. The Sabbath was also a reminder for the Israelites to remember and honor God as their Creator.
The chapter goes into detail about the regulations for observing the Sabbath, such as not kindling a fire or doing any work on that day. The punishment for not observing the Sabbath was severe, as it was seen as a direct disobedience to God's commandments. This section emphasizes the importance of rest and worship in maintaining a strong relationship with God.
The second section of chapter 23 discusses the feasts and holy days that were to be observed by the Israelites. These feasts were appointed by God and were meant to be celebrated as a way for the Israelites to remember and honor Him. There were seven feasts in total, each with its own unique significance and purpose. These feasts were the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
The Passover was a commemoration of the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a week-long celebration of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, during which they were instructed to eat unleavened bread. The Feast of Firstfruits was an offering of the first fruits of the harvest to God. The Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, was a celebration of the wheat harvest and the giving of the law to Moses. The Feast of Trumpets was a day of rest and remembrance, marked by the blowing of trumpets. The Day of Atonement was a day of fasting and repentance for the sins of the Israelites. Lastly, the Feast of Tabernacles was a week-long celebration of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and a reminder of their dependence on God.
Each of these feasts and holy days held great significance for the Israelites. They served as reminders of God's faithfulness, provision, and protection throughout their history. These celebrations were also meant to bring the Israelites together as a community and to strengthen their bond with God.
The final section of chapter 23 discusses the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee. The Sabbath Year occurred every seventh year and was a time for the land to rest and lie fallow. During this year, the Israelites were not allowed to sow their fields, prune their vineyards, or gather any crops. This was seen as an act of trust in God's provision, as He promised to provide enough food for the Israelites to sustain them for the year.
The Year of Jubilee occurred every 50th year and was a time of great celebration and restoration. During this year, all debts were to be forgiven, and all land was to be returned to its original owner. This was a way for God to ensure that no one was permanently impoverished and that the land was not permanently owned by one person or family. The Year of Jubilee was a reminder of God's provision and His desire for justice and equality among His people.
Chapter 23 of Leviticus is a significant chapter in the Bible as it outlines the feasts and holy days that the Israelites were commanded to observe. These feasts served as reminders of God's faithfulness, provision, and protection throughout the history of the Israelites. They were also meant to strengthen the Israelites' relationship with God and bring them together as a community.
One of the main themes of this chapter is the importance of rest and worship in maintaining a strong relationship with God. The Sabbath was a day set aside for rest and worship, and failure to observe it was seen as a direct disobedience to God's commandments. This serves as a reminder for us to prioritize rest and time with God in our busy lives.
Another theme in this chapter is the importance of community and unity among God's people. The feasts and holy days were meant to bring the Israelites together and strengthen their bond with God. This serves as a reminder for us to come together as a community and support each other in our faith journeys.
The feasts and holy days also hold great significance in their symbolism. For example, the Passover represents the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt, foreshadowing Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation. The Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, represents the giving of the law to Moses and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. These feasts and holy days serve as reminders of God's plan of salvation and His faithfulness to His people.
The Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee also hold important lessons for us. The Sabbath Year reminds us to trust in God's provision and not to be consumed by material possessions and wealth. The Year of Jubilee teaches us about justice, equality, and forgiveness, which are all important principles in living a life that pleases God.
Overall, Leviticus Chapter 23 teaches us about the importance of rest, worship, community, and justice in our relationship with God. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. As we reflect on the feasts and holy days outlined in this chapter, may we be reminded of God's love and faithfulness towards us, and may we strive to follow His commands and honor Him in all that we do.
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