Leviticus 23:16

KJV

Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Even unto {H5704} the morrow {H4283} after the seventh {H7637} sabbath {H7676} shall ye number {H5608} fifty {H2572} days {H3117}; and ye shall offer {H7126} a new {H2319} meat offering {H4503} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

You shall count off fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD.

American Standard Version

even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meal-offering unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 23:16 precisely details the culmination of the 50-day count from the Feast of Firstfruits, leading to the observance of the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost. This verse commands the offering of a "new meat offering" (a grain offering) to the LORD, signifying the completion of the wheat harvest and expressing profound gratitude for God's bountiful provision. It underscores the divine ordering of time and seasons, pointing to both agricultural dependence and spiritual anticipation for the full ingathering of God's blessings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 23 is a pivotal chapter in the Pentateuch, meticulously outlining the seven annual `mo'adim` (מוֹעֲדִים), or "appointed times," that God commanded Israel to observe. These feasts form the backbone of Israel's liturgical calendar, each carrying profound theological and prophetic significance. Leviticus 23:16 specifically falls within the instructions for the spring and early summer feasts. It immediately follows the detailed regulations for the Feast of Firstfruits ([Leviticus 23:9-14](/leviticus/23-9-14 "Leviticus 23:9-14 - The Feast of Firstfruits")), from which the 50-day count commences. This period, known as the "counting of the Omer," bridges the barley harvest (celebrated at Firstfruits) and the subsequent wheat harvest, which culminates in the Feast of Weeks. The meticulous numbering, as prescribed in [Leviticus 23:15](/leviticus/23-15 "Leviticus 23:15 - Counting the Omer"), emphasizes divine order and the organic progression of God's redemptive plan, moving from the initial offering of the firstfruits to the broader ingathering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Israelite economy was primarily agrarian, making the agricultural cycle intrinsically linked to their spiritual life and understanding of God's covenant faithfulness. The spring harvests, particularly of barley and wheat, were crucial for sustenance. The Feast of Weeks (Shavuot in Hebrew) marked the end of the grain harvest season, a time of immense gratitude for God's provision of food. Culturally, this feast was a communal celebration, bringing the people together to acknowledge their dependence on Yahweh for their daily bread and national prosperity. It was also traditionally associated with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, occurring 50 days after the Exodus, thereby connecting divine provision for physical sustenance with spiritual sustenance through God's Word. The meticulous counting of the days fostered a sense of anticipation and disciplined obedience, reinforcing the idea that all time and produce belonged to the LORD.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes found throughout Leviticus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights God's **Sovereignty over Time and Seasons**, demonstrating His meticulous ordering of the liturgical calendar and the agricultural year. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Provision and Human Gratitude**, as the "new meat offering" (grain offering) is a direct response of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest. This ties into the broader theme of **Worship and Obedience**, where Israel's prosperity and well-being are directly linked to their faithful adherence to God's commands and appointed times. Finally, the progression from Firstfruits to Weeks, as detailed in [Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Feasts of the Lord"), subtly introduces the theme of **Typology and Fulfillment**, foreshadowing greater spiritual realities and redemptive events yet to come in God's unfolding plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fifty days (Hebrew, _chămishshîym_ H2572, _yôwm_ H3117):** The instruction to "number fifty days" is the basis for the Greek name `Pentekoste` (Πεντηκοστή), meaning "fiftieth," from which we derive "Pentecost." The Hebrew word `chămishshîym` specifically means "fifty," and `yôwm` refers to "a day" or "a space of time." This precise numerical instruction, following seven complete weeks (49 days), symbolizes a culmination or completion (seven representing perfection) followed by a new beginning or significant event. It marks a transition from the initial firstfruits to the full harvest, both agriculturally and spiritually.
* **new meat offering (Hebrew, _châdâsh_ H2319, _minchâh_ H4503):** The KJV's "meat offering" can be misleading to modern readers, as "meat" here refers to food in general, not animal flesh. The Hebrew word `minchâh` (מִנְחָה) specifically denotes a "grain offering" or "meal offering," typically made of fine flour. The adjective `châdâsh` (חָדָשׁ), meaning "new" or "fresh," emphasizes that this offering was to be made from the freshly gathered wheat harvest, distinguishing it from previous or older offerings. It signified the dedication of the new season's bounty to the LORD, acknowledging His recent and ongoing provision.
* **seventh sabbath (Hebrew, _shᵉbîyʻîy_ H7637, _shabbâth_ H7676):** This phrase refers to the completion of seven full weeks, or seven "Sabbaths" (here meaning weeks, as in a sabbatical cycle), counted from the Feast of Firstfruits. The Hebrew `shᵉbîyʻîy` means "seventh," and `shabbâth` can refer to the weekly Sabbath or a sabbatical period/week. The instruction to count "unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath" precisely defines the fiftieth day, highlighting the divine precision and sacred rhythm God established for His people's worship and agricultural life, culminating in a significant celebration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days;":** This clause provides the exact temporal instruction for determining the date of the Feast of Weeks. The counting begins "on the day after the Sabbath" (likely the Sabbath within the Feast of Unleavened Bread, following Passover, which marked the Feast of Firstfruits). From that starting point, seven full weeks (49 days) are counted, and the fiftieth day is "the morrow after the seventh sabbath." This meticulous counting emphasizes the divine precision required in observing God's appointed times and builds anticipation for the culminating celebration, ensuring the people's disciplined adherence to God's calendar.
* **"and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.":** This second clause specifies the central ritual act for the fiftieth day: the presentation of a "new grain offering." This offering, made from the freshly harvested wheat, was a tangible expression of gratitude and dependence, acknowledging that the bounty of the land was a direct gift from the LORD. It symbolized the dedication of the fruits of their labor back to the Giver, sanctifying the entire harvest and affirming God's sovereignty over creation and provision. The "new" aspect highlights the freshness and immediacy of God's blessing and the people's grateful response.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Leviticus 23:16, and indeed throughout the instructions for the feasts, is **Instructional Tone**, characteristic of legal and ritual texts in the Pentateuch. The precise, prescriptive language ("shall ye number," "shall ye offer") leaves no room for ambiguity, emphasizing the divine authority behind these commands and the importance of their meticulous observance. Furthermore, there is significant **Symbolism** embedded within the verse. The "fifty days" symbolize completion and the inauguration of a new phase, while the "new meat offering" (grain offering) symbolizes divine provision, human gratitude, and the dedication of the first and best of one's labor to God. The entire sequence of feasts, of which this verse is a part, functions as a form of **Typology**, foreshadowing greater spiritual realities and redemptive events to be fulfilled in the New Testament, particularly the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 23:16 profoundly underscores God's sovereignty over time, creation, and provision. The meticulous counting and the required offering reveal a God who is intimately involved in the daily lives of His people, providing both physical sustenance and spiritual direction. The Feast of Weeks, marked by this verse, emphasizes gratitude for the harvest, acknowledging that all blessings flow from God's hand. It also highlights the principle of giving back to God the "first and best" of one's increase, sanctifying the whole. Theologically, the progression from Firstfruits to Weeks foreshadows the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, moving from Christ's resurrection (the ultimate Firstfruits) to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which initiated the spiritual harvest of the Church. This divine choreography reveals God's faithfulness in both physical and spiritual sustenance.

* [Deuteronomy 16:9-12](/deuteronomy/16-9-12 "Deuteronomy 16:9-12 - Instructions for the Feast of Weeks")
* [Exodus 34:22](/exodus/34-22 "Exodus 34:22 - Feast of Weeks as Feast of Harvest")
* [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 23:16, though rooted in ancient agricultural and ritual practices, offers timeless lessons for believers today. It calls us to cultivate a profound sense of gratitude for God's continuous provision in every area of our lives, recognizing that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. The meticulous counting of the days encourages us to live with intentionality and disciplined obedience, trusting in God's perfect timing for all things, rather than rushing ahead or lagging behind His purposes. Moreover, for Christians, this feast takes on profound New Testament significance, reminding us of the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to live fruitful lives, bringing forth a spiritual harvest for God's glory. It challenges us to consider how we are offering our "firstfruits"—our time, talents, and resources—back to the Lord in worship and service, acknowledging His ultimate ownership and trusting in His ongoing faithfulness. This ancient command invites us to a contemporary lifestyle of grateful stewardship and Spirit-empowered living.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's precise timing in the Old Testament feasts shape our trust in His timing for our own lives and for global events?**
* **In what practical ways can we express our "new grain offerings"—our first and best of our resources, time, and abilities—to the Lord today, in gratitude for His provision?**
* **How does the historical fulfillment of Pentecost in Acts 2 deepen our appreciation for the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the church and in individual believers, empowering us for spiritual harvest?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "fifty days" and the name "Pentecost"?**

Answer: The "fifty days" refers to the precise counting period from the Feast of Firstfruits to the Feast of Weeks. This period of seven complete weeks (49 days) plus one day culminates on the 50th day. The Greek word `Pentekoste` (Πεντηκοστή) literally means "fiftieth," hence the name "Pentecost." This numerical precision highlights God's ordering of time and His covenant faithfulness. Theologically, it signifies a completion (seven weeks) followed by a new beginning or a culmination, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in [Acts 2:1](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1 - The Day of Pentecost").

**Why does the KJV say "meat offering" when it refers to grain?**

Answer: In the King James Version (KJV), the word "meat" was used in an older, broader sense to mean "food" or "sustenance" in general, not exclusively animal flesh as it does in modern English. The Hebrew word translated as "meat offering" in Leviticus 23:16 is `minchâh` (מִנְחָה), which specifically denotes a "grain offering" or "meal offering." This offering was typically made of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense, and was distinct from animal sacrifices (`zevach`). The "new" aspect of the `minchâh` in this verse emphasizes that it was made from the freshly harvested wheat of the new season, symbolizing gratitude for God's fresh provision.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Feast of Weeks, commanded in [Leviticus 23:16](/leviticus/23-16 "Leviticus 23:16 - The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)"), finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The 50-day count begins with the Feast of Firstfruits, which typologically points to Christ's resurrection as the "firstfruits of those who are asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits")). Fifty days after Christ's resurrection, on the Day of Pentecost, the promised Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples in Jerusalem, as powerfully described in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Birth of the Church"). This event marked the birth of the Church, the spiritual harvest of souls gathered from every nation, fulfilling the anticipation of a "new offering" to the Lord – a new humanity indwelt and empowered by God's Spirit. Just as the grain offering was a token of gratitude for physical provision, the outpouring of the Spirit signifies God's ultimate spiritual provision, enabling believers to bear the fruit of the Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")) and participate in the ongoing spiritual harvest of the world. Christ, through His ascension, sent the Helper ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")), establishing a new covenant reality where God's presence dwells not in a temple of stone, but in the hearts of His people, making them a living, spiritual offering to the LORD.

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

Acts 2:1

¶ And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Numbers 28:26

Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks [be out], ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: