Leviticus 23:20

KJV

And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits [for] a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the priest {H3548} shall wave {H5130} them with the bread {H3899} of the firstfruits {H1061} for a wave offering {H8573} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, with the two {H8147} lambs {H3532}: they shall be holy {H6944} to the LORD {H3068} for the priest {H3548}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohen will wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before ADONAI, with the two lambs; these will be holy for ADONAI for the cohen.

Berean Standard Bible

The priest is to wave the lambs as a wave offering before the LORD, together with the bread of the firstfruits. The bread and the two lambs shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.

American Standard Version

And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the first-fruits for a wave-offering before Jehovah, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to Jehovah for the priest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 23:20 describes a pivotal moment within the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), detailing the presentation of the "bread of the firstfruits" as a wave offering before the LORD. This ritual, involving two loaves of leavened bread made from the new grain, accompanied by two lambs, symbolizes the nation's profound thanksgiving for God's bountiful provision and acknowledges His sovereign ownership over the harvest. The verse emphasizes the sacred nature of these offerings, designating them as "holy to the LORD" and a priestly portion, thereby highlighting both divine acceptance and the sustenance of those who minister.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 23 provides a comprehensive calendar of the LORD's appointed feasts, or "set times" (`mo'adim`), which structured Israel's worship and national life. Beginning with the weekly Sabbath, it systematically outlines the annual cycle of festivals: Passover and Unleavened Bread ([/leviticus/23-4](/leviticus/23-4 "Leviticus 23:4 - Passover and Unleavened Bread")), the Offering of Firstfruits (Omer) ([/leviticus/23-9](/leviticus/23-9 "Leviticus 23:9 - Offering of Firstfruits")), the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost) ([/leviticus/23-15](/leviticus/23-15 "Leviticus 23:15 - Feast of Weeks")), the Feast of Trumpets ([/leviticus/23-23](/leviticus/23-23 "Leviticus 23:23 - Feast of Trumpets")), the Day of Atonement ([/leviticus/23-26](/leviticus/23-26 "Leviticus 23:26 - Day of Atonement")), and the Feast of Booths ([/leviticus/23-33](/leviticus/23-33 "Leviticus 23:33 - Feast of Booths")). Leviticus 23:20 is specifically situated within the instructions for the Feast of Weeks, which is commanded to be celebrated fifty days after the presentation of the wave sheaf of the barley harvest ([/leviticus/23-15](/leviticus/23-15 "Leviticus 23:15 - Counting to Pentecost")). This chronological progression underscores a theological narrative: from redemption (Passover) to initial harvest (Omer) to the full ingathering (Feast of Weeks), illustrating God's faithfulness in providing for His people both spiritually and physically. The preceding verses ([/leviticus/23-18](/leviticus/23-18 "Leviticus 23:18 - Offerings for Feast of Weeks")) detail the burnt offerings and sin offering to accompany the wave offering, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of worship and atonement associated with this feast.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot (Hebrew for "weeks") or Pentecost (Greek for "fifty"), marked the completion of the spring grain harvest, primarily wheat. In ancient Israel, an agrarian society, the harvest was critical for survival and deeply intertwined with their spiritual life. This feast was a time of national thanksgiving, acknowledging that the fertility of the land and the abundance of the crops were direct blessings from Yahweh. The unique requirement of two loaves of *leavened* bread ([/leviticus/23-17](/leviticus/23-17 "Leviticus 23:17 - Leavened Bread Offering")), in contrast to most other offerings which strictly forbade leaven, is significant. Leaven often symbolized sin or corruption in biblical offerings, but here it likely represented the common, everyday bread of the people, signifying that even their ordinary sustenance, imperfect as it might be, was consecrated to God. The accompanying lambs served as peace offerings, further emphasizing reconciliation and fellowship with God. The wave offering itself (`tenuphah`) was a dynamic ritual, involving the priest moving the offering horizontally before the altar, symbolizing its presentation to the LORD and its subsequent reception back as a gift from Him, signifying dedication, consecration, and divine acceptance. This ritual was a public declaration of God's ownership over all creation and the Israelites' humble dependence on His provision.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wave (Hebrew, _nuph_):** This verb describes the specific action of the priest in presenting the offering. It implies a back-and-forth or up-and-down motion, symbolizing a dedication or presentation to the LORD. It's not merely a static placement but an active, dynamic gesture that signifies the offering's movement into the divine sphere and its return as a consecrated portion. This act of "waving" (`tenuphah`, the noun form) was a distinct ritual expressing God's acceptance and the sanctification of the object.
* **Firstfruits (Hebrew, _bikkûrîm_):** Refers to the initial yield of the harvest, the very first and best produce. Offering the firstfruits was a fundamental principle in Israelite worship, signifying that God was the ultimate source of all blessings and deserved the prime portion. It was an act of faith, trusting that if the first was given, the rest of the harvest would also be blessed and sustained. In this context, the "bread of the firstfruits" specifically refers to the two loaves made from the newly harvested wheat.
* **Holy (Hebrew, _qodesh_):** This term denotes separation, consecration, or dedication to God. When something is declared "holy to the LORD," it is set apart from common use and reserved exclusively for sacred purposes or for God Himself. In Leviticus 23:20, the offerings (the bread and the lambs) are deemed holy, meaning they are divinely accepted and consecrated. The subsequent phrase "for the priest" indicates that these holy items, once presented to God, become the rightful, sacred portion for the priests, providing for their sustenance as they ministered in the tabernacle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest shall wave them":** This specifies the priestly action central to the offering. The priest, acting as mediator, performs the ritual gesture of `nuph` (waving) with the offerings, signifying their presentation to and acceptance by the LORD. The "them" refers to the bread and the lambs mentioned subsequently.
* **"with the bread of the firstfruits [for] a wave offering before the LORD":** This identifies the primary object of the wave offering: two loaves of leavened bread made from the initial yield of the wheat harvest. This bread, representing the nation's sustenance and the culmination of the spring harvest, is presented as a `tenuphah`, a special offering dedicated through the waving ritual. The phrase "before the LORD" emphasizes that this act of worship is directed to God Himself, in His presence at the tabernacle/temple.
* **"with the two lambs":** These lambs accompany the bread offering. As peace offerings ([/leviticus/23-19](/leviticus/23-19 "Leviticus 23:19 - Peace Offerings with Firstfruits")), they signify fellowship and reconciliation with God, completing the sacrificial package required for the Feast of Weeks. Their inclusion underscores the comprehensive nature of the offering, combining thanksgiving for provision with atonement and communion.
* **"they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest":** This declaration establishes the sacred status of the offerings. Once waved before the LORD, the bread and lambs become `qodesh`, set apart for God. The crucial addition "for the priest" indicates that these consecrated items, having been presented to God and accepted, then become the designated portion for the priests. This provision ensured the livelihood of the priestly class, allowing them to dedicate themselves fully to their sacred duties without needing to engage in secular labor for sustenance.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 23:20 employs several literary devices to convey its theological significance. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "bread of the firstfruits" representing not only the literal harvest but also the entire nation's dependence on God's provision and their gratitude for it. The inclusion of *leavened* bread, unique among most offerings, symbolizes the common, imperfect nature of humanity and its daily sustenance, yet still acceptable and consecrated to God. The **ritualistic action** of the "wave offering" itself is a form of **performative language**, where the physical act communicates profound spiritual truths of dedication, divine acceptance, and the transfer of sacred status. The phrase "holy to the LORD for the priest" utilizes **metonymy**, where "holy to the LORD" implies divine ownership and acceptance, and "for the priest" indicates the practical consequence of that holiness—it becomes the sacred sustenance for God's ministers. The structure of the verse, moving from the action of the priest to the objects of the offering and finally to their sacred designation and destination, creates a clear, prescriptive **instructional tone**, characteristic of legal and ritual texts in Leviticus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 23:20 encapsulates profound theological truths regarding divine sovereignty, human gratitude, and the sanctity of provision. It teaches that all blessings, particularly the sustenance derived from the land, originate from God and are to be acknowledged with the "first and best" of one's produce. This act of offering is not merely a transactional exchange but a deeply spiritual expression of dependence and worship, where the physical act of waving symbolizes a complete dedication to the LORD and His acceptance of the offering. Furthermore, the provision for the priests highlights God's ordained system for supporting those dedicated to His service, underscoring the principle that those who minister spiritually are to be sustained by the community. This verse, therefore, bridges the gap between the material and the spiritual, demonstrating how everyday sustenance is interwoven with sacred worship and divine order.

* [Exodus 23:19](/exodus/23-19 "Exodus 23:19 - Offering the First of the Firstfruits")
* [Proverbs 3:9](/proverbs/3-9 "Proverbs 3:9 - Honor the LORD with Your Wealth")
* [Numbers 18:8-11](/numbers/18-8 "Numbers 18:8-11 - Priestly Portions and Offerings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 23:20, though rooted in ancient Israelite ritual, offers timeless principles for contemporary believers. It calls us to cultivate a profound sense of gratitude for God's provision in every area of our lives, recognizing that all good things come from His hand. Just as the Israelites brought their "firstfruits" as an act of worship and dependence, we are invited to offer the "first and best" of our time, talents, and resources to God, not out of obligation, but out of a joyful acknowledgment of His ownership and generosity. This principle extends beyond financial giving; it challenges us to dedicate our initial thoughts, our freshest energy, and our primary affections to Him daily. Moreover, the provision for the priests reminds us of the biblical mandate to honor and support those who faithfully serve in ministry, ensuring they are free to devote themselves to the work of the Gospel. Reflecting on this verse encourages a lifestyle of worship that integrates our daily lives with our spiritual devotion, transforming ordinary sustenance into an opportunity for sacred thanksgiving and generous stewardship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most clearly see God's provision, and how do you express gratitude for it?**
* **What does it mean for you to offer the "firstfruits" of your time, talents, or resources to the LORD in a practical way today?**
* **How does the concept of "holy to the LORD" influence your perspective on your daily work, relationships, and possessions?**
* **In what ways can you actively participate in supporting those who minister God's Word and serve in spiritual capacities in your community?**

### FAQ

**Why was leavened bread allowed in this offering when it was forbidden in others?**

Answer: The allowance of leavened bread in the Feast of Weeks offering ([/leviticus/23-17](/leviticus/23-17 "Leviticus 23:17 - Leavened Bread Offering")) is indeed unique and highly significant. In many other offerings, particularly those representing purity or atonement (like the grain offering, `minchah`), leaven (yeast) was strictly forbidden, often symbolizing sin or corruption. However, the two loaves presented at Pentecost were specifically "bread of the firstfruits," made from the new wheat harvest for daily consumption. This suggests that these loaves represented the ordinary, common bread of the people, which, by its very nature, contained leaven. The offering, therefore, was not primarily about atonement for sin, but about thanksgiving for God's provision of daily sustenance. It symbolized the consecration of the *whole* harvest, including the imperfect, everyday aspects of life, to God. It acknowledged that God blesses and accepts His people even in their common state, sanctifying their daily bread.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 23:20, with its emphasis on the "bread of the firstfruits" and the wave offering, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Feast of Weeks celebrated the culmination of the grain harvest, Pentecost in the New Testament marks the "firstfruits" of the spiritual harvest—the birth of the Church through the descent of the Holy Spirit ([/acts/2-1](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1 - The Day of Pentecost")). Jesus Himself is the ultimate "firstfruits" from the dead, inaugurating a new creation and guaranteeing the resurrection of all who believe in Him ([/1_corinthians/15-20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")). The two loaves of leavened bread, symbolizing common humanity, find their ultimate sanctification in Christ, who took on our human nature, yet remained without sin, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice. The wave offering, signifying divine acceptance and consecration, points to God's full acceptance of humanity through Christ's atoning work. The accompanying lambs foreshadow Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose sacrifice makes our fellowship with God possible. Furthermore, the provision for the priests prefigures the New Covenant reality where all believers are made a "royal priesthood" ([/1_peter/2-9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), sustained by the spiritual nourishment of Christ, the true [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), and empowered by the Spirit for ministry. Thus, Leviticus 23:20 beautifully anticipates the spiritual harvest of the Church, the sanctification of believers, and the divine provision found in Christ.

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.