Leviticus 23:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 23:5 mean?

Leviticus 23:5 states that the LORD’s Passover is to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month, at evening. This verse sets the exact date and time for the celebration of Passover, a key festival for the Israelites.

In this chapter, God is giving Moses instructions to pass on to the Israelites about the appointed festivals. The "first month" refers to Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, and "at even" means as the sun is setting. The verse marks the beginning of a sacred time, recalling Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 23:5

• "fourteenth" (אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר, arba‘ah ‘asar): This word specifies the exact day in the month, showing that the timing of Passover was not flexible but fixed.
• "first" (רִאשׁוֹן, rishon): This refers to the first month of the Hebrew year, Nisan, which usually falls in March or April.
• "month" (חֹדֶשׁ, chodesh): This word means "month" and points to the lunar-based Hebrew calendar, which is different from the modern solar calendar.
• "even" (עָרֶב, ‘erev): This means "evening" or "sunset," indicating that the festival begins as the day transitions, not at sunrise.
• "LORD'S" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This shows that the Passover belongs to God, not just a national or family event.
• "passover" (פֶּסַח, pesach): This is the name of the festival, recalling the event when God "passed over" the homes of the Israelites in Egypt.

Why Leviticus 23:5 matters

• Leviticus 23:5 clarifies that Passover is not a movable feast but has a set date and time, which was important for the unity and identity of the Israelite community.
• The verse connects the Passover directly to God ("the LORD’s Passover"), emphasizing that this is a divinely appointed event, not just a cultural tradition.
• This verse sets the stage for the rest of Leviticus 23, which outlines the entire calendar of sacred times, showing how Israel’s year was structured around remembering God’s acts.