Leviticus 23:12

And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.

And ye shall offer {H6213} that day {H3117} when ye wave {H5130} the sheaf {H6016} an he lamb {H3532} without blemish {H8549} of the first {H1121} year {H8141} for a burnt offering {H5930} unto the LORD {H3068}.

On the day that you wave the sheaf, you are to offer a male lamb without defect, in its first year, as a burnt offering for ADONAI.

On the day you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a year-old lamb without blemish as a burnt offering to the LORD,

And in the day when ye wave the sheaf, ye shall offer a he-lamb without blemish a year old for a burnt-offering unto Jehovah.

Commentary

Leviticus 23:12 is a specific instruction within the broader context of the Old Testament's sacrificial system, detailing the offerings required during the Feast of Firstfruits. This verse mandates a particular sacrifice to accompany the waving of the first harvest sheaf, underscoring principles of dedication, purity, and divine provision.

Context

This verse is part of Leviticus chapter 23, which meticulously outlines the LORD's appointed feasts, or "set times" (Hebrew: mo'adim), that the Israelites were to observe annually. Following the instructions for the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, verses 9-14 describe the Feast of Firstfruits. This celebration took place on the day after the Sabbath following Passover (the 16th of Nisan). It involved the ceremonial waving of a sheaf (an omer) of the first barley harvest before the LORD, symbolizing the dedication of the entire harvest to Him. Leviticus 23:12 specifies the animal sacrifice that must accompany this act of worship: a he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Dedication of Firstfruits: The primary theme is the acknowledgment that all blessings, especially the harvest, come from God. By offering the firstfruits, Israel declared their dependence on the LORD and consecrated the entire season's yield to Him. This principle of giving God the "first and best" is foundational.
  • Purity and Perfection in Worship: The requirement of a "lamb without blemish" (Hebrew: tamiym) is consistent throughout the Mosaic Law for all acceptable sacrifices. It signifies the need for purity, perfection, and wholeness in approaching a holy God. This foreshadows the ultimate perfect sacrifice.
  • Atonement and Reconciliation: As a "burnt offering" (Hebrew: 'olah), the lamb was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete surrender and devotion to God. Burnt offerings also carried an atoning aspect, making reconciliation possible between God and His people, as seen in Leviticus 1:4.
  • Divine Provision and Trust: The command to offer a sacrifice from the firstfruits instilled trust in God's continued provision. It taught the Israelites not to fear scarcity but to give generously from what God had given them, believing He would supply their needs.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "without blemish" (Hebrew: tamiym) is critical. It implies physical perfection, integrity, and wholeness. This characteristic was essential for any animal presented as a sacrifice to the holy God of Israel, highlighting the sacredness and seriousness of the offering.
  • The "burnt offering" (Hebrew: 'olah) literally means "that which goes up," referring to the smoke rising to God. It was a voluntary offering of complete devotion, distinct from other offerings like the peace offering or sin offering, though it also served to make atonement.

Related Scriptures

  • The requirement for a perfect lamb echoes the Passover lamb in Exodus 12:5, which also had to be "without blemish."
  • This Feast of Firstfruits, with its emphasis on the first harvest, is seen by many theologians as a prophetic type pointing to Christ's resurrection. Just as the first sheaf was waved, symbolizing the beginning of the harvest, so Christ is called the "firstfruits of them that slept" in 1 Corinthians 15:20, signifying His resurrection as the guarantee of the future resurrection of all believers.
  • The principle of presenting one's best to the Lord is echoed throughout Scripture, including the New Testament call to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.

Practical Application

While the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament are not binding on believers today, the spiritual principles behind Leviticus 23:12 remain profoundly relevant. We are called to:

  1. Give Our "Firstfruits": This means prioritizing God in our lives—giving Him our best time, talents, and resources, not just what's left over. It's an act of worship that acknowledges His sovereignty and provision.
  2. Strive for Purity: Just as the lamb had to be "without blemish," we are called to live lives of increasing holiness and integrity, made possible through Christ's perfect sacrifice.
  3. Live in Dedication: The burnt offering signifies complete surrender. Our lives should be a continuous offering of devotion and obedience to the Lord, trusting in His ultimate plan and provision.

Leviticus 23:12, though ancient, points to timeless truths about worship, sacrifice, and the character of God, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 1:10

    ¶ And if his offering [be] of the flocks, [namely], of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.

  • 1 Peter 1:19

    But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

  • Hebrews 10:10

    By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].

  • Hebrews 10:12

    But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
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