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.

LEVITICUS 23:20KJV
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Leviticus 23:20 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 23:20 mean?

Leviticus 23:20 describes how the priest is to present the bread of the firstfruits together with two lambs as a wave offering before the LORD, declaring these offerings as holy and set apart for the priest. This verse explains part of the ritual for the Feast of Weeks, showing how certain offerings were dedicated to God and then given to the priest.

In this passage, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to celebrate a specific festival. The priest acts on behalf of the people, taking the first portion of the harvest ("firstfruits") and two lambs, and formally presenting them to God. By waving these offerings, the priest acknowledges that these gifts come from God and belong to Him, but God then gives them back for the priest’s use, marking them as "holy" or set apart.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 23:20

  • The word for "wave" is נוּף (nuph), which means to move something back and forth or to present it in a special way. This gesture was a symbolic act of dedication to God.
  • "Firstfruits" is בִּכּוּרִים (bikkurim), meaning the earliest and best part of the harvest. Offering the firstfruits showed gratitude and trust in God’s provision.
  • The term "holy" is קָדֹשׁ (qadosh), meaning something set apart for God’s special use. Here, it highlights that these offerings are not ordinary food but have a sacred purpose.
  • "Priest" is כֹּהֵן (kohen), referring to the person chosen to serve in the tabernacle and act as a mediator between God and the people.

Why Leviticus 23:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that not all offerings were burned or left on the altar; some were given to the priests as their share, showing how God provided for those serving in the sanctuary.
  • It emphasizes the idea of holiness—certain things are set apart for God and cannot be treated as common, even when given for human use.
  • Leviticus 23:20 connects the act of giving the first and best to God with the ongoing care for the priests, tying together worship, gratitude, and community support.

Where else these words appear

“firstfruits” Hebrew H1061 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
  • Leviticus 23:17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 10:35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD:

“offering” Hebrew H8573 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
  • Leviticus 8:29 And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Numbers 6:20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

“wave” Hebrew H5130 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
  • Leviticus 14:24 And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:
  • Joshua 8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

“lambs” Hebrew H3532 · used in 100 verses

  • Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
  • Numbers 7:57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:18 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: