Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

LEVITICUS 23:16KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 23:16 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 23:16 mean?

Leviticus 23:16 instructs the Israelites to count fifty days from the day after the seventh Sabbath and then present a new grain offering to the LORD. This verse sets the timing for a special offering, marking the end of a specific period of counting days after Passover.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses, who is relaying instructions to the people of Israel about their religious calendar. The verse describes the conclusion of the "counting of the omer," a period between Passover and the festival that would later be called Pentecost. The focus is on careful counting and the presentation of a new offering, highlighting the importance of order and gratitude in Israel's worship.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 23:16

  • "Number" (סָפַר, saphar): This word means to count or reckon. The instruction is not just to wait but to actively count each day, emphasizing attentiveness and participation.
  • "Fifty" (חֲמִשִּׁים, chamishim): The specific mention of fifty days sets this apart as a significant, complete period, connecting the Passover to the next major festival.
  • "New" (חָדָשׁ, chadash): The offering is described as "new," pointing to fresh produce from the recent harvest, not leftovers from before, underlining renewal and thankfulness.
  • "Offering" (מִנְחָה, minchah): This refers to a grain offering, a gift of the land’s produce, which was a central part of Israel’s worship and acknowledgment of God’s provision.

Why Leviticus 23:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the festival known as Pentecost (or Shavuot) is not on a fixed calendar date but is determined by counting fifty days from Passover, showing the connection between the two events.
  • The emphasis on a "new" offering highlights the importance of bringing the first and best of the harvest to God, not what is left over.
  • Understanding the counting and timing helps make sense of later biblical events, such as the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in the New Testament, which also happens fifty days after Passover.

Where else these words appear

“morrow” Hebrew H4283 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 19:34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
  • Numbers 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 11:11 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

“new” Hebrew H2319 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
  • 1 Kings 11:29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
  • Isaiah 41:15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

“sabbath” Hebrew H7676 · used in 89 verses

  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • Leviticus 26:43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes.
  • Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

“seventh” Hebrew H7637 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Leviticus 23:24 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.
  • 1 Kings 18:44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.