Leviticus 23:14

KJV

And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall eat {H398} neither bread {H3899}, nor parched corn {H7039}, nor green ears {H3759}, until the selfsame {H6106}{H2088} day {H3117} that {H5704} ye have brought {H935} an offering {H7133} unto your God {H430}: it shall be a statute {H2708} for ever {H5769} throughout your generations {H1755} in all your dwellings {H4186}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are not to eat bread, dried grain or fresh grain until the day you bring the offering for your God; this is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched grain, nor fresh ears, until this selfsame day, until ye have brought the oblation of your God: it is a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 23:14 articulates a foundational divine prohibition: the consumption of any new harvest produce—whether bread, parched grain, or green ears—is strictly forbidden until the selfsame day that the designated firstfruits offering has been presented to the Lord. This command, an integral component of the Feast of Firstfruits, underscores God's sovereign ownership over all provision and establishes a perpetual statute for Israel, emphasizing the paramount importance of honoring Him with the initial and best portions of His bounty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 23 stands as a pivotal chapter within the Pentateuch, meticulously outlining Yahweh's sacred calendar of *mo'adim* ("appointed times" or "feasts"). These divine appointments served as crucial occasions for Israel to gather, remember God's redemptive acts, and renew their covenant relationship. The chapter systematically details the annual cycle, commencing with the weekly Sabbath and proceeding through the major festivals: Passover and Unleavened Bread ([Leviticus 23:4-8](/leviticus/23-4-8 "Leviticus 23:4-8 - Passover and Unleavened Bread")), the Feast of Firstfruits ([Leviticus 23:9-14](/leviticus/23-9-14 "Leviticus 23:9-14 - The Feast of Firstfruits")), the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) ([Leviticus 23:15-22](/leviticus/23-15-22 "Leviticus 23:15-22 - The Feast of Weeks")), the Feast of Trumpets ([Leviticus 23:23-25](/leviticus/23-23-25 "Leviticus 23:23-25 - The Feast of Trumpets")), the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 23:26-32](/leviticus/23-26-32 "Leviticus 23:26-32 - The Day of Atonement")), and the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) ([Leviticus 23:33-44](/leviticus/23-33-44 "Leviticus 23:33-44 - The Feast of Booths")). Within this sacred sequence, verse 14 serves as the culminating prohibition for the Feast of Firstfruits, ensuring that the entire subsequent harvest is consecrated and made permissible for consumption only *after* God has received His due portion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command in Leviticus 23:14 is deeply embedded in the agrarian lifestyle and cultural rhythms of ancient Israel. As a society whose survival depended on the land, their annual calendar was inextricably linked to the cycles of planting, growth, and harvest. The barley harvest, occurring in the spring, was the earliest grain harvest of the year, typically shortly after Passover. The prohibition against consuming any new grain—whether processed into bread, roasted as parched corn, or eaten raw as green ears—before the firstfruits offering was a tangible and profound expression of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. This practice served as a constant, practical reminder that the land and its abundant produce were gifts from God's hand, fostering a deep sense of dependence and gratitude. It prevented the Israelites from taking God's provision for granted and reinforced the principle of divine ownership and the sacredness of the first portion, a theme consistently woven throughout the Mosaic Law, notably in the consecration of the firstborn ([Exodus 13:2](/exodus/13-2 "Exodus 13:2 - Consecration of the Firstborn")) and the first of all produce ([Exodus 23:19](/exodus/23-19 "Exodus 23:19 - The First of the Firstfruits")).

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 23:14 significantly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Provision**, highlighting God as the ultimate source of all sustenance and blessing. The command underscores Israel's absolute dependence on Him for their very livelihood. Closely related is the theme of **Holiness and Consecration**, as the act of offering the firstfruits sanctifies the entire harvest, setting it apart as permissible for consumption. This reflects the broader Levitical emphasis on ritual purity and the distinction between the sacred and the common. The verse also reinforces the theme of **Covenant Obedience and Gratitude**, demonstrating that Israel's well-being is intrinsically linked to their faithful adherence to God's commands and their grateful acknowledgment of His benevolent care. Finally, it foreshadows the concept of **Firstfruits as a Guarantee**, where the initial offering serves as a pledge for the full harvest to come, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** From H3899, this term broadly refers to food or sustenance, but specifically here, it denotes bread made from the new grain harvest. It signifies the most common and essential form of processed grain for daily consumption. The prohibition on "bread" from the new harvest emphasizes that even the most fundamental staple was not to be consumed until God's portion was presented, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the command.
* **Green Ears (Hebrew, _karmel'_):** From H3759, this refers to a planted field or garden produce, specifically here, fresh, unripe ears of grain. These were often eaten raw or lightly roasted directly from the field. The inclusion of "green ears" underscores that *nothing* from the new crop, even in its earliest, rawest form, was to be consumed before the offering, emphasizing the totality of the prohibition.
* **Statute for Ever (Hebrew, _chuqqâh ʻôwlâm'_):** From H2708 and H5769, this phrase signifies an enactment or ordinance that is perpetual or everlasting. It emphasizes the enduring and binding nature of this command, not just for the generation receiving the law but "throughout your generations in all your dwellings." This legal formulary underscores the foundational and unchanging importance of the principle of honoring God with the firstfruits within the covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears,"**: This opening clause establishes a strict and comprehensive prohibition against consuming any form of the new grain harvest. The explicit listing of "bread" (processed), "parched corn" (roasted), and "green ears" (raw/unripe) covers the entire spectrum of how the new grain might be consumed. This detailed enumeration emphasizes the totality of the command: absolutely no part of the new harvest, in any state of preparation or ripeness, is to be consumed by the people prematurely.
* **"until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God:"**: This phrase introduces the critical temporal condition for the lifting of the prohibition. The consumption of the new grain is forbidden *until* the specific firstfruits offering—the sheaf of barley mentioned in [Leviticus 23:10-11](/leviticus/23-10-11 "Leviticus 23:10-11 - The Wave Offering of the Firstfruits")—has been presented to the Lord by the priest. This temporal link highlights the divine priority: God's portion must be acknowledged and offered *first* before the people can partake of His bounty. It underscores the principle of consecration, where the entire harvest is sanctified through the dedication of its initial portion to the Creator.
* **"[it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings."**: This concluding phrase declares the perpetual and universal nature of this command within Israelite society. The phrase "a statute for ever" (H2708, H5769) signifies an ordinance that is binding for all time, across all generations (H1755), and wherever Israelites might reside ("in all your dwellings," H4186). This legal formulary emphasizes the fundamental and unchanging theological principle embedded in the command: the consistent recognition of God's sovereignty and provision is a timeless and non-negotiable requirement for His people in every place and era.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 23:14 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message with clarity and emphasis. The primary device is **Prohibition**, explicitly stated through the negative command "ye shall eat neither," which leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the forbidden action. This is coupled with **Conditionality**, indicated by the temporal phrase "until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering," establishing a clear prerequisite that must be met before the prohibition is lifted, thereby emphasizing the sequence of divine priority over human consumption. The listing of "bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears" functions as a form of **Merism** or **Comprehensive Enumeration**. By naming distinct forms of the grain at various stages of preparation and ripeness, the text effectively communicates that *no* part of the new harvest, in *any* form, is to be consumed prematurely. Finally, the concluding phrase, "[it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings," is a standard **Legal Formulary** or **Covenantal Formula**, characteristic of Levitical law. This formula underscores the perpetual and universal applicability of the command within the Mosaic Covenant, signifying its enduring importance and binding nature for all Israelites, regardless of time or location.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 23:14 is profoundly rich in theological significance, primarily articulating the foundational principle of divine priority and the recognition of God as the ultimate Provider. By mandating that the firstfruits of the harvest be offered before any new produce is consumed, God instilled in Israel a deep understanding that all blessings, especially their very sustenance, originate from Him. This act was not merely an agricultural ritual but a tangible expression of absolute dependence, profound gratitude, and unwavering obedience to the covenant. It taught the Israelites to acknowledge God's sovereignty over their land, their labor, and their daily bread, effectively sanctifying the entire harvest through the dedication of its initial portion. This principle transcends its ancient agricultural context, calling believers in every age to honor God with the "first and best" of their lives—their time, talents, resources, and affections—as a consistent demonstration of trust and acknowledgment of His benevolent and faithful provision.

* [Proverbs 3:9](/proverbs/3-9 "Proverbs 3:9 - Honor the Lord with your wealth")
* [Exodus 23:19](/exodus/23-19 "Exodus 23:19 - The First of the Firstfruits")
* [Romans 11:16](/romans/11-16 "Romans 11:16 - The Sanctifying Root")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 23:14, though rooted in the specific agricultural practices of ancient Israel, offers timeless spiritual principles that resonate deeply with believers today. It calls us to cultivate a posture of profound gratitude and absolute dependence on God, recognizing that everything we possess—our abilities, our resources, our very breath, and every good gift—is a gracious provision from His hand. The command to offer the firstfruits before consumption challenges us to prioritize God in every area of our lives, intentionally giving Him the "first and best" rather than merely the leftovers. This means dedicating our prime time to prayer, worship, and studying His Word; utilizing our strongest talents and freshest energy for His kingdom purposes; and faithfully stewarding our finances by giving generously and sacrificially. It is an invitation to trust implicitly that when we honor God first, He will bless, sanctify, and multiply the rest. This practice fosters a heart of humility, reminding us that our labor is fruitful only by His grace, and it cultivates a spirit of contentment, knowing that our true and ultimate provision comes from Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life do I tend to "consume" or utilize my "new harvest" (e.g., time, energy, resources, new opportunities) before intentionally acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty?**
* **How can I more consistently and intentionally give God the "firstfruits" of my day, my week, or my income as a tangible act of worship, trust, and dependence?**
* **What does it truly mean to depend on God for my sustenance, both physically and spiritually, in the context of my modern life and responsibilities?**
* **How might cultivating a heart of profound gratitude, as exemplified by this ancient command, transform my daily perspective, choices, and overall spiritual walk?**

### FAQ

**What is the "Feast of Firstfruits" and how does Leviticus 23:14 relate to it?**

Answer: The Feast of Firstfruits (Hebrew: *Reishit Katzir*, "the beginning of the harvest") was one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals commanded by God to ancient Israel, celebrated on the day after the Sabbath following Passover. It marked the beginning of the barley harvest, the earliest grain crop of the year. [Leviticus 23:9-14](/leviticus/23-9-14 "Leviticus 23:9-14 - The Feast of Firstfruits") outlines the specific instructions for this feast, which involved bringing a sheaf (omer) of the first ripe barley to the priest as a wave offering to the Lord. Leviticus 23:14 specifically serves as the culminating prohibition for this feast, stating that no Israelite was permitted to eat any new grain—whether as bread, parched corn, or green ears—until this firstfruits offering had been presented to God. This ensured that God received the first acknowledgment and honor for the harvest before any of its produce was consumed by the people, profoundly emphasizing His sovereignty, ownership, and benevolent provision.

**Why was it so important for the Israelites to wait to eat the new grain?**

Answer: The command to wait was profoundly significant for several interconnected reasons, deeply embedding theological principles into daily life. Firstly, it reinforced the principle of **divine ownership**: the land and its produce belonged to God, and He was the ultimate Provider of their sustenance. Eating before the offering would have been an act of presumption, taking God's provision for granted rather than receiving it as a gift. Secondly, it fostered **dependence and gratitude**, reminding the Israelites that every harvest was a divine gift, not merely the result of their labor or ingenuity. Thirdly, the act of offering the firstfruits **sanctified the entire harvest**. By dedicating the initial portion to God, the rest of the crop was deemed permissible, blessed, and consecrated for consumption. Finally, it was a tangible act of **obedience and faithfulness** to the Mosaic Covenant, demonstrating their commitment to God's laws and their unique relationship with Him. This principle is echoed in other commands concerning firstfruits throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Exodus 23:19](/exodus/23-19 "Exodus 23:19 - The First of the Firstfruits") and the detailed instructions for bringing firstfruits in [Deuteronomy 26:1-11](/deuteronomy/26-1-11 "Deuteronomy 26:1-11 - Offering of Firstfruits").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 23:14, with its emphasis on the firstfruits offering and the subsequent sanctification of the entire harvest, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the true and perfect [firstfruits of the resurrection](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits of the Resurrection"), guaranteeing the future resurrection of all who believe in Him. Just as the barley sheaf offered in the temple was the initial portion of the harvest, symbolizing the promise and consecration of a full harvest to come, so Christ's triumphant resurrection from the dead is the definitive proof and pledge of the future resurrection of all believers. His sacrificial death on the cross and victorious resurrection sanctified not merely a portion, but the entire "harvest" of humanity, making reconciliation with God possible for all who put their faith in Him. Furthermore, Jesus identifies Himself as the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), the spiritual sustenance without which one cannot truly live. Through His perfect obedience and self-offering, He fulfilled the spirit of the law, presenting Himself completely to God as the ultimate offering, thereby making it possible for us to partake freely and fully of the spiritual nourishment and eternal life He provides. In Christ, we are not merely permitted to eat after an offering; we are invited to feast on the very One who *is* the offering, the source of all life and blessing, who has already secured our eternal provision by giving His "first and best"—His very life—for us ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread")).

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

Exodus 34:26

The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.

Genesis 4:4

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Genesis 4:5

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Leviticus 19:23

And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

Leviticus 19:25

And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I [am] the LORD your God.

Nehemiah 9:14

And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:

Leviticus 3:17

[It shall be] a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.