Leviticus 2:14

KJV

And if thou offer a meat offering of thy firstfruits unto the LORD, thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy firstfruits green ears of corn dried by the fire, [even] corn beaten out of full ears.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if thou offer {H7126} a meat offering {H4503} of thy firstfruits {H1061} unto the LORD {H3068}, thou shalt offer {H7126} for the meat offering {H4503} of thy firstfruits {H1061} green ears {H24} of corn dried {H7033} by the fire {H784}, even corn beaten {H1643} out of full ears {H3759}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to ADONAI, you are to bring as the grain offering from your firstfruits kernels of grain from fresh ears, dry-roasted with fire.

Berean Standard Bible

If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, you shall offer crushed heads of new grain roasted on the fire.

American Standard Version

And if thou offer a meal-offering of first-fruits unto Jehovah, thou shalt offer for the meal-offering of thy first-fruits grain in the ear parched with fire, bruised grain of the fresh ear.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 2:14 meticulously details the specific requirements for a unique type of grain offering: the firstfruits offering. This instruction mandates the presentation of green ears of grain, specially prepared by fire and beaten from full ears, as a tangible expression of profound gratitude, unwavering devotion, and deep trust in God's unfailing provision. It underscores the foundational biblical principle of honoring the Lord with the initial, finest, and most precious produce of the harvest, thereby acknowledging His ultimate sovereignty over all sustenance, the land itself, and the very cycle of life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the broader fabric of [Leviticus Chapter 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering"), which comprehensively delineates the regulations for the *minchah*, or grain offering. Distinct from the bloody sacrifices primarily focused on atonement for sin, the grain offering typically functioned as a voluntary expression of thanksgiving, devotion, and dedication, symbolizing the worshiper's dependence on God for daily sustenance. While the preceding verses ([Leviticus 2:1-13](/leviticus/2-1-13 "Leviticus 2:1-13 - Various Grain Offerings")) describe offerings of fine flour and baked items, [Leviticus 2:14](/leviticus/2-14 "Leviticus 2:14 - The Firstfruits Grain Offering") introduces a specific, highly regulated variation: the offering of "firstfruits." This distinction highlights the precise nature of Israelite worship, where even within a single category of offering, specific requirements were tied to the source, quality, and timing of the produce, emphasizing the sacredness and meticulousness demanded when approaching the divine. The detailed instructions for preparing the "green ears" underscore the intentionality, reverence, and promptness expected in this act of worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, an inherently agrarian society, the annual harvest was not merely an economic activity but the very lifeline of the community, profoundly shaping their existence and worldview. The concept of "firstfruits" (Hebrew: *bikkurim*) was deeply ingrained in both their religious calendar and agricultural practices. Offering the first and best of the harvest to God, even before the full yield was secured, was a profound act of faith, demonstrating absolute trust that God would bless and bring to completion the remainder of the crops. This practice was a divine mandate articulated in various parts of the Torah, such as [Exodus 23:19](/exodus/23-19 "Exodus 23:19 - Offering the First of the Firstfruits") and further elaborated with a formal ceremony for bringing firstfruits to the priest in [Deuteronomy 26:1-11](/deuteronomy/26-1-11 "The Ceremony of Firstfruits"). The specific instruction to offer "green ears of corn dried by the fire" suggests a practical necessity: the earliest grains of the season would likely still be moist and unripe, requiring immediate, artificial drying to be suitable for the altar. This detail underscores the urgency and readiness of this initial act of worship, reflecting a culture where dependence on divine blessing for agricultural prosperity was paramount and immediate obedience was expected.
* **Key Themes:** [Leviticus 2:14](/leviticus/2-14 "Leviticus 2:14 - The Firstfruits Grain Offering") powerfully contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Provision**, asserting God's ultimate ownership over the land and its produce, and His role as the benevolent provider of all sustenance ([Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")). Second, it highlights the theme of **Gratitude and Worship**, transforming a simple agricultural act into a profound expression of thanksgiving and devotion to the Giver of all good things ([1 Chronicles 29:14](/1_chronicles/29-14 "1 Chronicles 29:14 - All things come from You")). Third, it emphasizes **Trust and Faith**, as the act of offering the firstfruits before the full harvest was gathered required a deep reliance on God's faithfulness to complete the work He began ([Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9-10 "Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the LORD with your wealth")). Finally, it underscores the theme of **Holiness and Purity in Worship**, as the meticulous preparation and specific nature of the offering reflect the high standards God demands for those who approach Him, emphasizing intentionality and the offering of one's best ([Leviticus 19:24](/leviticus/19-24 "Leviticus 19:24 - Firstfruits of Trees")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Offer (Hebrew, _qârab'_):** (H7126) This verb signifies "to approach" or "to bring near," particularly in the context of presenting something to a deity. In the sacrificial system, it denotes the act of bringing an offering into the sacred space, making it accessible to God. It highlights the worshiper's initiative in drawing near to God through the prescribed ritual, emphasizing intentionality and the act of presentation rather than mere giving.
* **Firstfruits (Hebrew, _bikkûwr'_):** (H1061) Derived from a root meaning "to be ripe first," this term refers to the initial produce of the harvest, the very first and often finest part of the crop. It is not merely a portion, but the *beginning* of the yield. The offering of *bikkûwr* was a foundational principle in Israelite worship, symbolizing the acknowledgment of God's ownership over all creation and His benevolent provision. It represented an act of faith, trusting that by dedicating the initial portion to God, the remainder of the harvest would be blessed and sustained.
* **Green ears (Hebrew, _ʼâbîyb'_):** (H24) This word describes young, tender ears of grain that are still unripe or freshly harvested, not yet fully dried by the sun. Its inclusion here is highly significant, emphasizing the *timeliness* of the firstfruits offering. It was to be offered from the earliest available produce, even if it required special processing (drying by fire) because it wasn't yet fully mature. This underscores the immediacy and priority of honoring God with the very first yield, demonstrating prompt obedience and devotion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if thou offer a meat offering of thy firstfruits unto the LORD":** This opening clause establishes the specific type and purpose of the offering. It is a *minchah* (grain offering), but distinctively, it is sourced from the "firstfruits" (*bikkurim*) of the harvest, emphasizing its early and prime nature. The phrase "unto the LORD" underscores that the offering's ultimate recipient and purpose are divine, highlighting the act as one of devotion, gratitude, and recognition of God's absolute sovereignty over the harvest. This conditional opening ("if thou offer") indicates a voluntary, yet prescribed, act of worship.
* **"thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy firstfruits green ears of corn dried by the fire":** This provides the first set of precise material and preparation instructions. The offering is not of fully processed flour, but of "green ears" (*ʼâbîyb*), indicating the earliest stage of the harvest. The necessity of "dried by the fire" (*qâlâh* from H7033, and *ʼêsh* from H784) suggests that these early grains were still moist and required artificial drying to be suitable for an offering, which typically involved burning a portion on the altar. This detail highlights the urgency and immediate dedication of the first yield, without waiting for natural maturation.
* **"[even] corn beaten out of full ears":** This further refines the quality and processing of the offering. The "full ears" (Hebrew: *karmel*, H3759, or more broadly, mature grain) refer to ears of grain that, though green, contain fully formed kernels. The instruction to "beaten out" (*geres* from H1643) implies a process of threshing or grinding to separate the grain from the chaff and stalks. This ensures that the offering, despite being from the earliest harvest, is of a specific, high quality—not merely raw stalks, but the actual grain, carefully prepared and made ready for presentation.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 2:14 predominantly employs **Prescriptive Language**, which is characteristic of the legal and ritualistic texts found throughout the Torah. The verse utilizes direct commands ("thou shalt offer") and highly detailed specifications ("green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears") to eliminate any ambiguity regarding the precise procedure required for this particular offering. This meticulous precision underscores the critical importance of obedience and the inherent sacredness of the ritual. Furthermore, there is a subtle but effective use of **Repetition** in the phrase "meat offering of thy firstfruits," which serves to reinforce the unique nature and significance of this specific offering, ensuring that the worshiper clearly understands both its general category (a grain offering) and its special source (the initial yield). This repetition also contributes to the didactic purpose of the text, embedding the instruction firmly in the mind of the Israelite. Finally, the detailed material requirements themselves function as **Symbolism**, where the "firstfruits" symbolize dedication, profound trust, and the acknowledgment of God as the ultimate and benevolent provider, while the meticulous preparation symbolizes purity, intentionality, and the giving of one's absolute best to the Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 2:14 profoundly articulates the theological principle of **giving God our first and our best**. This is far more than a mere agricultural regulation; it is a deep declaration of faith, trust, and profound gratitude. By offering the firstfruits, the Israelites acknowledged God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His benevolent provision for their very sustenance. It was an act of radical dependence, demonstrating their unwavering trust that God would bring the remainder of the harvest to fruition, even before it was fully gathered. This practice was designed to cultivate a heart of humility and thanksgiving, fostering the recognition that all blessings, without exception, flow directly from the Creator. The meticulous preparation also speaks volumes about the holiness of God and the reverence due to Him; an offering to the Lord was to be pure, intentional, and without blemish, reflecting the worshiper's sincere devotion and commitment.

* [Deuteronomy 26:1-11](/deuteronomy/26-1 "The Ceremony of Firstfruits")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9-10 "Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the LORD with your wealth")
* [Romans 11:16](/romans/11-16 "Romans 11:16 - The Holy Root and Branches")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of offering "green ears of corn dried by the fire" is no longer a direct practice for believers today, the timeless spiritual principles embedded in [Leviticus 2:14](/leviticus/2-14 "Leviticus 2:14 - The Firstfruits Grain Offering") remain profoundly relevant and transformative. This verse serves as a powerful challenge, prompting us to deeply consider what our "firstfruits" are in a contemporary context. It calls us to adopt a posture of radical generosity and unwavering trust, urging us to give God our absolute best—not merely our leftovers or what is convenient—in every sphere of our lives. This might manifest as dedicating the initial portion of our income through tithes and offerings, committing the prime hours of our day to prayer, Bible study, and spiritual growth, or prioritizing our most vibrant energy, creative talents, and intellectual capacities for service in His kingdom. Offering our firstfruits is a profound act of worship that boldly declares our dependence on God, expresses our deep gratitude for His boundless provision, and affirms our faith that He will sustain us as we honor Him. It elevates our giving from a mere obligation into a joyful, intentional expression of devotion and trust in the One who provides all things richly for our enjoyment and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "firstfruits" in my life today (e.g., time, finances, talents, energy, attention)?**
* **Am I consistently giving God my "first and best," or do I tend to offer Him what's leftover, convenient, or less valuable?**
* **How does the act of intentionally offering my firstfruits cultivate a deeper sense of trust, dependence, and gratitude toward God in my daily life?**
* **In what practical ways can I apply the principle of "drying by fire" in my spiritual life, quickly preparing and offering what God has given me, even if it's not yet "perfect" or fully mature in my eyes?**

### FAQ
**What is a "meat offering" in Leviticus?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "meat offering" is an archaic translation of the Hebrew word *minchah* (מִנְחָה), which refers specifically to a grain or meal offering, not animal flesh. It was typically made of fine flour, baked goods, or, as precisely detailed in [Leviticus 2:14](/leviticus/2-14 "Leviticus 2:14 - The Firstfruits Grain Offering"), green ears of grain. The *minchah* was generally a voluntary offering of profound gratitude, deep devotion, and humble recognition of God's abundant provision, distinct from the sin or burnt offerings that involved animal sacrifices.

**Why were "firstfruits" so important in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The offering of "firstfruits" (*bikkurim*) was profoundly significant in ancient Israel, which was an agrarian society whose survival depended on the harvest. It served as a tangible and powerful expression of faith and gratitude, acknowledging God as the ultimate provider of the harvest and all sustenance. By offering the initial and best portion of their yield, the Israelites demonstrated their unwavering trust that God would bless and bring to completion the remainder of their crops. This practice also served as a constant, vivid reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and their absolute dependence on Him, as meticulously detailed in passages like [Deuteronomy 26](/deuteronomy/26 "Deuteronomy 26 - The Ceremony of Firstfruits"). It was a foundational act of worship, dedicating the very source of their livelihood back to the Divine Giver.

**Why did the firstfruits offering in [Leviticus 2:14](/leviticus/2-14 "Leviticus 2:14 - The Firstfruits Grain Offering") specify "green ears...dried by the fire"?**

Answer: This highly specific instruction highlights the urgency, immediacy, and timeliness required for the firstfruits offering. "Green ears" refers to the earliest, unripe grains of the harvest, which would still contain significant moisture. Since offerings typically involved burning a portion on the altar, these moist grains needed to be "dried by the fire" to be suitable for combustion. This detail emphasizes that the firstfruits were to be offered immediately upon their availability, without waiting for them to naturally dry or fully mature on their own. It powerfully underscores the principle of giving God the very first and freshest, even if it required extra effort and special preparation, demonstrating prompt obedience and wholehearted devotion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound principle of firstfruits articulated in [Leviticus 2:14](/leviticus/2-14 "Leviticus 2:14 - The Firstfruits Grain Offering") finds its ultimate, most glorious, and complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is unequivocally declared as the **ultimate Firstfruits**—not of an earthly agricultural harvest, but of a spiritual and eternal harvest of resurrected humanity. [1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits of the Resurrection") boldly proclaims that Christ has been raised from the dead, serving as "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." His resurrection is not merely an isolated event, but the divine guarantee, the prototype, and the absolute assurance of the future resurrection of all believers. Just as the ancient firstfruits offering consecrated and guaranteed the entire subsequent harvest, Christ's resurrection consecrates the entire company of the redeemed, ensuring their future bodily resurrection and eternal life in His presence. Furthermore, believers themselves are identified as "a kind of firstfruits of all he created" in [James 1:18](/james/1-18 "James 1:18 - Believers as Firstfruits of Creation"), signifying our special status, dedication, and new creation in God through our union with Christ. Jesus, as the perfect and spotless Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offered Himself as the flawless, final, and all-sufficient offering, thereby fulfilling and superseding the need for all the Levitical sacrifices, including the grain offerings of thanksgiving. His life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection collectively represent the perfect "firstfruits" offering—a complete and eternally pleasing sacrifice that perfectly honors God, secures salvation for all who believe, and ushers in a new, abundant harvest of humanity redeemed and set apart for God's everlasting glory, as powerfully foreshadowed in the vision of the redeemed in [Revelation 14:4](/revelation/14-4 "Revelation 14:4 - The Redeemed as Firstfruits to God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 23:10

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

Numbers 28:2

Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, [and] my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, [for] a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 53:2

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Proverbs 3:9

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Proverbs 3:10

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.