Leviticus 23
BSB1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘These are My appointed feasts, the feasts of the LORD that you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. 3 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD. 4 These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times. 5 The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any regular work. 8 For seven days you are to present an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.’" 9 And the LORD said to Moses, 10 “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘When you enter the land that I am giving you and you reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest. 11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD so that it may be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. 12 On the day you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a year-old lamb without blemish as a burnt offering to the LORD, 13 along with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil—an offering made by fire to the LORD, a pleasing aroma—and its drink offering of a quarter hin of wine. 14 You must not eat any bread or roasted or new grain until the very day you have brought this offering to your God. This is to be a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live. 15 From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you are to count off seven full weeks. 16 You shall count off fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD. 17 Bring two loaves of bread from your dwellings as a wave offering, each made from two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with leaven, as the firstfruits to the LORD. 18 Along with the bread you are to present seven unblemished male lambs a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They will be a burnt offering to the LORD, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings—an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 19 You shall also prepare one male goat as a sin offering and two male lambs a year old as a peace offering. 20 The priest is to wave the lambs as a wave offering before the LORD, together with the bread of the firstfruits. The bread and the two lambs shall be holy to the LORD for the priest. 21 On that same day you are to proclaim a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This is to be a permanent statute wherever you live for the generations to come. 22 When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap all the way to the edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the foreign resident. I am the LORD your God.’" 23 The LORD also said to Moses, 24 “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts. 25 You must not do any regular work, but you are to present an offering made by fire to the LORD.’" 26 Again the LORD said to Moses, 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present an offering made by fire to the LORD. 28 On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God. 29 If anyone does not humble himself on this day, he must be cut off from his people. 30 I will destroy from among his people anyone who does any work on this day. 31 You are not to do any work at all. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live. 32 It will be a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you shall humble yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to keep your Sabbath." 33 And the LORD said to Moses, 34 “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Feast of Tabernacles to the LORD begins, and it continues for seven days. 35 On the first day there shall be a sacred assembly. You must not do any regular work. 36 For seven days you are to present an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you are to hold a sacred assembly and present an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work. 37 These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for presenting offerings by fire to the LORD—burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its designated day. 38 These offerings are in addition to the offerings for the LORD’s Sabbaths, and in addition to your gifts, to all your vow offerings, and to all the freewill offerings you give to the LORD. 39 On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to celebrate a feast to the LORD for seven days. There shall be complete rest on the first day and also on the eighth day. 40 On the first day you are to gather the fruit of majestic trees, the branches of palm trees, and the boughs of leafy trees and of willows of the brook. And you are to rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41 You are to celebrate this as a feast to the LORD for seven days each year. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come; you are to celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 You are to dwell in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must dwell in booths, 43 so that your descendants may know that I made the Israelites dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’" 44 So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed feasts of the LORD.
Study Notes — Leviticus 23
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Leviticus 23
- Themes from Leviticus 23
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Leviticus 23
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Leviticus 23 provides a comprehensive overview of the sacred calendar of the Israelites, detailing the various festivals and assemblies that God commanded them to observe. The chapter begins with the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3), followed by the Passover (Leviticus 23:4-8), the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8), the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14), the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-22), the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25), the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-43). Each of these festivals played a significant role in the spiritual life of the Israelites, serving as a reminder of God's presence, provision, and redemption.
Context for the Chapter
Leviticus 23 is situated in the midst of the book of Leviticus, which is a book of instructions for the priests and the people of Israel. The chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the sacred calendar, highlighting the importance of worship, sacrifice, and remembrance in the spiritual life of the Israelites. This chapter is part of the larger narrative of the Pentateuch, which tells the story of God's creation, His covenant with the Israelites, and His redemption of His people. The chapter also looks forward to the fulfillment of these appointed times in Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice and the embodiment of God's presence and provision.
Heart Application
As we reflect on Leviticus 23, we are reminded of the importance of worship, sacrifice, and remembrance in our own spiritual lives. We are called to observe the Lord's Day, to remember God's covenant with us, and to worship Him with our lives. May we be mindful of God's presence and provision, and may we be faithful in our observance of the appointed times, as we look to Christ, who is the fulfillment of all these festivals and assemblies.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Leviticus 23 is about the special times that God appointed for the Israelites to worship and remember Him. These times included the Sabbath, the Passover, and other festivals, which served as reminders of God's covenant with them and His presence in their lives. As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of worship and remembrance in our own spiritual lives, and we are called to observe the Lord's Day and to remember God's covenant with us, as seen in Leviticus 23:3 and Leviticus 23:4.
Voices from the Church
“The Sabbath is a day of rest, but it is also a day of worship, a day to remember God's creation and His covenant with us.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The festivals and assemblies outlined in Leviticus 23 are a reminder of God's presence and provision, and serve as a foreshadowing of Christ's role in our redemption.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Sabbath (Leviticus 23:1-3) — The Sabbath is the first appointed time mentioned in the chapter, emphasizing its importance in the spiritual life of the Israelites.
- The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:4-8) — These festivals commemorated the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt and served as a reminder of God's covenant with them.
- The Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14) — This festival celebrated the beginning of the harvest and served as a reminder of God's provision for the Israelites.
- The Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-22) — This festival commemorated the giving of the law and served as a reminder of God's covenant with the Israelites.
- The Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:23-43) — These festivals served as reminders of God's presence and provision, and looked forward to the fulfillment of these appointed times in Christ.
Core Doctrines
- The Doctrine of Worship
- Leviticus 23 emphasizes the importance of worship in the spiritual life of the Israelites, highlighting the need for regular assemblies and festivals to remember God's covenant and presence.
- The Doctrine of Sacrifice
- The chapter highlights the importance of sacrifice in the spiritual life of the Israelites, emphasizing the need for atonement and forgiveness.
- The Doctrine of Remembrance
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of remembrance in the spiritual life of the Israelites, highlighting the need to remember God's covenant and presence.
- The Doctrine of Christ's Fulfillment
- The festivals and assemblies outlined in Leviticus 23 find their fulfillment in Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice and the embodiment of God's presence and provision.
Lessons from Leviticus 23
- The Importance of Worship — Leviticus 23 emphasizes the importance of worship in the spiritual life of the Israelites, highlighting the need for regular assemblies and festivals to remember God's covenant and presence.
- The Significance of Remembrance — The chapter emphasizes the importance of remembrance in the spiritual life of the Israelites, highlighting the need to remember God's covenant and presence.
- The Connection to Christ — The festivals and assemblies outlined in Leviticus 23 find their fulfillment in Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice and the embodiment of God's presence and provision.
- The Need for Sacrifice — The chapter highlights the importance of sacrifice in the spiritual life of the Israelites, emphasizing the need for atonement and forgiveness.
- The Importance of Observing the Lord's Day — The chapter emphasizes the importance of observing the Lord's Day and remembering God's covenant with us, highlighting the need to prioritize worship and remembrance in our spiritual lives.
Themes from Leviticus 23
- Worship — The chapter emphasizes the importance of worship in the spiritual life of the Israelites, highlighting the need for regular assemblies and festivals to remember God's covenant and presence.
- Remembrance — The chapter emphasizes the importance of remembrance in the spiritual life of the Israelites, highlighting the need to remember God's covenant and presence.
- Sacrifice — The chapter highlights the importance of sacrifice in the spiritual life of the Israelites, emphasizing the need for atonement and forgiveness.
- Christ's Fulfillment — The festivals and assemblies outlined in Leviticus 23 find their fulfillment in Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice and the embodiment of God's presence and provision.
- Observing the Lord's Day — The chapter emphasizes the importance of observing the Lord's Day and remembering God's covenant with us, highlighting the need to prioritize worship and remembrance in our spiritual lives.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the significance of the Sabbath in the spiritual life of the Israelites, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
- How do the festivals and assemblies outlined in Leviticus 23 serve as reminders of God's covenant and presence, and what can we learn from this?
- What is the connection between the festivals and assemblies outlined in Leviticus 23 and Christ's role in our redemption, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
- How can we observe the Lord's Day and remember God's covenant with us in our own spiritual lives, and what are the benefits of doing so?
- What are some ways that we can worship and remember God in our daily lives, and how can we prioritize this in our busy schedules?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Sabbath (Leviticus 23:1-3)
| Leviticus 23:1 | The chapter begins with the introduction of the Sabbath, emphasizing its importance in the spiritual life of the Israelites. |
| Leviticus 23:2 | The Sabbath is a holy convocation, a day of rest and worship, commemorating God's creation and His covenant with the Israelites. |
| Leviticus 23:3 | The Sabbath is a reminder of God's presence and provision, and serves as a day of rest and worship for the Israelites. |
2. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:4-8)
| Leviticus 23:4 | The Passover is a festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt, and serves as a reminder of God's covenant with them. |
| Leviticus 23:5 | The Passover is a holy convocation, a time of worship and remembrance, highlighting the importance of God's presence and provision in the lives of the Israelites. |
| Leviticus 23:6 | The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a week-long festival, commemorating the Israelites' journey out of Egypt and serving as a reminder of God's covenant with them. |
3. The Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14)
| Leviticus 23:9 | The Feast of Firstfruits is a celebration of the beginning of the harvest, and serves as a reminder of God's provision for the Israelites. |
| Leviticus 23:10 | The feast is a holy convocation, a time of worship and thanksgiving, highlighting the importance of God's presence and provision in the lives of the Israelites. |
| Leviticus 23:11 | The feast serves as a reminder of God's covenant with the Israelites, and emphasizes the importance of worship and remembrance in their spiritual lives. |
4. The Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-22)
| Leviticus 23:15 | The Feast of Weeks is a celebration of the giving of the law, and serves as a reminder of God's covenant with the Israelites. |
| Leviticus 23:16 | The feast is a holy convocation, a time of worship and remembrance, highlighting the importance of God's presence and provision in the lives of the Israelites. |
| Leviticus 23:17 | The feast serves as a reminder of God's covenant with the Israelites, and emphasizes the importance of worship and remembrance in their spiritual lives. |
5. The Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:23-43)
| Leviticus 23:23 | The Feast of Trumpets is a holy convocation, a time of worship and remembrance, highlighting the importance of God's presence and provision in the lives of the Israelites. |
| Leviticus 23:24 | The Day of Atonement is a holy convocation, a time of sacrifice and forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of atonement and forgiveness in the spiritual life of the Israelites. |
| Leviticus 23:25 | The Feast of Tabernacles is a celebration of God's presence and provision, and serves as a reminder of God's covenant with the Israelites. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Sabbath in Leviticus 23?
The Sabbath is a holy convocation, a day of rest and worship, commemorating God's creation and His covenant with the Israelites, as seen in Leviticus 23:3.
What is the connection between the Passover and Christ's sacrifice?
The Passover is a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:7 and Leviticus 23:4-8.
What is the importance of the Feast of Firstfruits?
The Feast of Firstfruits is a celebration of the beginning of the harvest, and serves as a reminder of God's provision for the Israelites, as seen in Leviticus 23:9-14.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 23:3 → Exodus 20:8 | The Sabbath is a holy convocation, a day of rest and worship, commemorating God's creation and His covenant with the Israelites. |
| 2 | Leviticus 23:4 → John 1:1 | The Passover is a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, highlighting the importance of God's presence and provision in the lives of the Israelites. |
| 3 | Leviticus 23:9 → Deuteronomy 26:1-11 | The Feast of Firstfruits is a celebration of the beginning of the harvest, and serves as a reminder of God's provision for the Israelites. |
| 4 | Leviticus 23:15 → Acts 2:1 | The Feast of Weeks is a celebration of the giving of the law, and serves as a reminder of God's covenant with the Israelites. |
| 5 | Leviticus 23:23 → Numbers 29:1-6 | The Feast of Trumpets is a holy convocation, a time of worship and remembrance, highlighting the importance of God's presence and provision in the lives of the Israelites. |
| 6 | Leviticus 23:24 → Hebrews 9:1-10:22 | The Day of Atonement is a holy convocation, a time of sacrifice and forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of atonement and forgiveness in the spiritual life of the Israelites. |
| 7 | Leviticus 23:25 → John 7:37-39 | The Feast of Tabernacles is a celebration of God's presence and provision, and serves as a reminder of God's covenant with the Israelites. |
| 8 | Leviticus 23:26 → Leviticus 16:1-34 | The Day of Atonement is a holy convocation, a time of sacrifice and forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of atonement and forgiveness in the spiritual life of the Israelites. |
| 9 | Leviticus 23:33 → Deuteronomy 16:13-15 | The Feast of Tabernacles is a celebration of God's presence and provision, and serves as a reminder of God's covenant with the Israelites. |
| 10 | Leviticus 23:43 → John 1:14 | The Feast of Tabernacles is a celebration of God's presence and provision, and serves as a reminder of God's covenant with the Israelites, highlighting the importance of God's presence and provision in the lives of the Israelites. |
Sermons on Leviticus 23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Glory of God - Part 3 by David Platt | This sermon challenges believers to risk it all for the glory of Christ among those who have not heard His name, emphasizing the urgency of sharing the Gospel with the lost. It hig |
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Forgiveness by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of forgiveness and how it relates to our relationship with God. He emphasizes that forgiveness is not a suggestion, but a commandm |
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(Through the Bible) Leviticus 16-20 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the moral decay and corruption in society, particularly in relation to the portrayal of sinful acts in movies. He emphasizes that God's peopl |
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Feasts of Jehovah Passover by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of three days and three nights in relation to Jesus' resurrection. He explains that according to Jewish reckoning, a part of a day |
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(Through the Bible) Leviticus 21-24 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that each community has its own unique characteristics and that God has a specific plan to reach each community |
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(1 Corinthians) Christ Our Passover by Brian Brodersen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the fulfillment of the first four Feast in connection with Jesus' first coming and the remaining three Feast that will be fulfilled in his sec |
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(Demonology) Warring Against the Evangelicals - Part 2 by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the issue of killing animals for food in relation to the commandment "Thou shalt not kill." He points out the story of Cain and Abel, where A |
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Israel's Communication by Charles Anderson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenges faced by the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. He emphasizes that the Israelites were not skille |
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Judgment Is Coming by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of religion and its limitations. He emphasizes that religion allows people to feel alright but does not address their conduct. Th |
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Pentecost: The Power of the Spirit by Stephen Hamilton | In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful story of a sermon he witnessed where the preacher spoke on Ezekiel chapter 36, emphasizing the pouring out of God's spirit upon men. |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Leviticus 23
In Leviticus 23, we see the various sacred assemblies and festivals that God commanded the Israelites to observe, highlighting the importance of worship, sacrifice, and remembrance in their spiritual lives. These appointed times served as a reminder of God's covenant with His people and provided opportunities for spiritual reflection and renewal. As we observe these appointed times, we are reminded of God's presence and provision, and are called to worship and remember Him. The chapter looks forward to the fulfillment of these appointed times in Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice and the embodiment of God's presence and provision. May we be mindful of God's presence and provision, and may we be faithful in our observance of the appointed times, as we look to Christ, who is the fulfillment of all these festivals and assemblies, as seen in Leviticus 23:3 and Leviticus 23:4. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Significance of the Sabbath
The Sabbath is the first appointed time mentioned in the chapter, emphasizing its importance in the spiritual life of the Israelites. It served as a reminder of God's creation and His covenant with them, and provided a day of rest and worship.
The Emphasis on Remembrance
Throughout the chapter, there is a strong emphasis on remembrance, as the Israelites were commanded to remember God's covenant with them and His presence in their lives. This is seen in the various festivals and assemblies, which served as reminders of God's redemption and provision.
The Connection to Christ
The festivals and assemblies outlined in Leviticus 23 find their fulfillment in Christ, who is the ultimate sacrifice and the embodiment of God's presence and provision. This connection is seen in the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, and other festivals, which foreshadow Christ's role in our redemption.