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:

LEVITICUS 23:10KJV
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Leviticus 23:10 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 23:10 mean?

Leviticus 23:10 tells the Israelites that when they enter the land God is giving them and begin to harvest its crops, they must bring a sheaf of the very first part of their harvest to the priest. This act sets apart the first produce as something to be given to God before enjoying the rest.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, instructing him to tell the people of Israel about a new practice for when they settle in the promised land. The situation is about the Israelites moving from wandering in the wilderness to becoming farmers in their own land. The verse introduces the idea of "firstfruits," where the first portion of the harvest is offered to God as a sign of gratitude and recognition that the land and its produce are gifts from Him.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 23:10

  • The word for "sheaf" is עֹמֶר (omer), transliterated as "omer." This refers to a bundle of cut grain, and here it represents the first gathered portion of the harvest, not just any offering.
  • The word translated "firstfruits" is רֵאשִׁית (reshit), transliterated as "reshit." This word means "beginning" or "first part," emphasizing that what is brought is the very first of the harvest, not leftovers or a random portion.
  • The verb "reap" is קָצַר (qatsar), transliterated as "qatsar." This word means to cut or gather crops, highlighting the shift from wandering to settled agricultural life.

Why Leviticus 23:10 matters

  • Leviticus 23:10 clarifies that the offering of firstfruits was not just a ritual but a response to entering and settling in the promised land, tying worship directly to the fulfillment of God's promise.
  • The verse sets the stage for the Feast of Firstfruits, which is part of the larger calendar of holy days in Leviticus 23, showing how agricultural life and worship were connected for Israel.
  • By requiring the first part of the harvest to be brought to the priest, the verse emphasizes gratitude and dependence on God, reminding the people that their prosperity comes from Him.

Where else these words appear

“sheaf” Hebrew H6016 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 16:16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
  • Exodus 16:33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
  • Leviticus 23:15 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:

“reap” Hebrew H7114 · used in 46 verses

  • Leviticus 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
  • Ruth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
  • Isaiah 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

“harvest” Hebrew H7105 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
  • 1 Samuel 8:12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
  • Isaiah 16:9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.

“firstfruits” Hebrew H7225 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • 1 Samuel 2:29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.