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Leviticus 23

44 verses

TL;DR

Leviticus 23 prescribes the yearly feasts and sabbaths of Israel, establishing them as holy convocations for worship, rest, and covenant remembrance.

Summary

The chapter opens with the Lord commanding Moses to declare the feasts as holy convocation. It details the weekly Sabbath and the Passover, including the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the requirement to work only six days. The laws of Firstfruits, including the sheaf and accompanying offerings, are set out with precise timing and ritual. The text then commands communal duties such as leaving gleanings for the poor and the stranger. It prescribes the Sabbath of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles, each with its own offerings, rest periods, and symbolic acts. Each observance is framed as a perpetual statute for all generations. The passage underscores themes of holiness, covenant, rest, atonement, and generosity.

Outline
  1. 1. Weekly Sabbath and Passover observances
  2. 2. Firstfruits and communal laws of gleaning
  3. 3. Major feasts: Sabbath of the seventh month, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles
Themes
holinessrestcovenantattributiongenerosity
Keywords
sabbathfeastofferingfirstfruitsAtonementTabernaclesgleaningholinessrestcovenant
People
MosesPriestIsraelite people
Places
Israelall your dwellings
Things
sabbathfeastofferingsheaf of firstfruitsunleavened breadwinegleanings
Key Verses
  • Leviticus 23:3: Establishes the Sabbath as a day of rest and holy convocation.
  • Leviticus 23:5: Defines the Passover as the first feast, marking Israel's deliverance.
  • Leviticus 23:13: Details the rituals of the Firstfruits, linking worship to agricultural bounty.
  • Leviticus 23:26: Introduces the Day of Atonement, emphasizing penitence and covenant renewal.
  • Leviticus 23:34: Describes the Feast of Tabernacles, symbolizing God's presence and provision.
Questions
  • Why does the text insist that work be ceased on each holy convocation?
  • What does the law of gleaning reveal about social justice in ancient Israel?
  • How do the festivals collectively illustrate God's relationship with Israel?
  • In what ways do the rituals of the Firstfruits and the Feast of Tabernacles connect to the themes of provision and presence?
Sentiment

neutral
The chapter provides instructions and laws in a matter‑of‑fact tone.