Leviticus 23:8

KJV

But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day [is] an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work [therein].

KJV (with Strong's)

But ye shall offer {H7126} an offering made by fire {H801} unto the LORD {H3068} seven {H7651} days {H3117}: in the seventh {H7637} day {H3117} is an holy {H6944} convocation {H4744}: ye shall do {H6213} no servile {H5656} work {H4399} therein.

Complete Jewish Bible

Bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work.'"

Berean Standard Bible

For seven days you are to present an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.’”

American Standard Version

But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto Jehovah seven days: in the seventh day is a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 23:8 concludes the specific instructions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, emphasizing the unique holiness of its seventh and final day. It mandates a continuous week-long offering by fire to the Lord, culminating in a specially designated "holy convocation" on the seventh day, during which all ordinary, laborious work is strictly prohibited. This verse underscores the divine expectation for Israel to consecrate both their worship and their time to Yahweh, remembering His mighty deliverance and fostering communal devotion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 23 meticulously outlines the annual cycle of "appointed feasts" or "holy convocations" (Hebrew: _mo'adim_), which serve as sacred times for Israel to gather and worship the Lord. Verse 8 specifically details the closing regulations for the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Hebrew: _Chag HaMatzot_), which immediately follows the Passover observance (Leviticus 23:5). While the entire seven-day period from [Leviticus 23:6](/leviticus/23-6 "Leviticus 23:6 - Feast of Unleavened Bread") requires offerings by fire, verses 7 and 8 distinguish the first and seventh days as "holy convocations," marking them with special solemnity and a prohibition against servile work. This structure emphasizes the bookends of the feast as particularly sacred, mirroring the Sabbath principle within a longer festival context and ensuring the entire week is framed by dedicated worship and rest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Unleavened Bread, alongside Passover, commemorates Israel's hasty exodus from Egyptian bondage, a foundational event in their national identity. The command to eat unleavened bread for seven days, as detailed in [Exodus 12:15-20](/exodus/12-15-20 "Exodus 12:15-20 - Instructions for Unleavened Bread"), served as a perpetual reminder of their hurried departure, where there was no time for dough to rise. The "offering made by fire" (Hebrew: _ishsheh_) refers to various sacrifices—burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings—that were central to Israelite worship, symbolizing dedication, atonement, and communion with God. The prohibition against "servile work" (Hebrew: _mele'khet 'avodah'_) on the first and seventh days of the feast, similar to the [Sabbath commandment](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8 - Remember the Sabbath Day") found in [Exodus 20:10](/exodus/20-10 "Exodus 20:10 - The Sabbath Command"), ensured that the people could fully devote themselves to spiritual matters, corporate worship, and communal fellowship without the distractions of daily toil and economic pursuits. This rest was not merely cessation from labor but an active participation in sacred time, fostering a deeper connection with the divine.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 23:8 contributes significantly to several major theological themes woven throughout the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. It reinforces the theme of **divine sovereignty**, as God Himself appoints these sacred times and dictates their observance, demonstrating His authority over Israel's calendar and life. The concept of "holy convocation" highlights **communal worship** and the importance of the gathered assembly in Israel's relationship with Yahweh. Furthermore, the prohibition of "servile work" underscores the **sanctification of time**, teaching Israel to set apart specific periods for exclusive devotion to God, prioritizing spiritual communion over worldly gain. This principle of **rest** (similar to the weekly Sabbath, as seen in [Exodus 31:12-17](/exodus/31-12-17 "Exodus 31:12-17 - The Sabbath as a Sign")) is not merely a break from labor but an active engagement with the sacred, fostering **remembrance** of God's mighty acts of deliverance and His covenant faithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Offering made by fire (Hebrew, _ʼishshâh'_):** From H801, this term refers to something consumed by fire, specifically a burnt-offering or any sacrifice made by fire. In the context of the feasts, these offerings were prescribed to mark the sacredness of the occasion and to maintain the covenant relationship between God and Israel, symbolizing dedication, atonement, or communion as the offering ascended to God in smoke.
* **Convocation (Hebrew, _miqrâʼ'_):** From H4744, meaning "something called out," this refers to a public meeting or assembly. The phrase "holy convocation" (miqrâʼ qôdesh) designates a divinely appointed gathering, emphasizing that these days were not merely holidays for leisure but sacred appointments initiated by God, calling His people together for worship, instruction, and communal remembrance of His mighty acts. It signifies a time set apart, consecrated for divine purposes.
* **Servile (Hebrew, _ʻăbôdâh'_):** From H5656, meaning "work of any kind," "labor," or "service(-ile, -itude)." When paired with "work" (mᵉlâʼkâh), it specifically denotes ordinary, gainful, or laborious occupations. The prohibition of "servile work" ensured that the people's focus was entirely on the sacred observance, preventing the distractions of daily economic pursuits from impinging on their spiritual devotion and communal worship, calling for a cessation of work that ties one to the mundane and allows for full engagement with the sacred.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days":** This clause reiterates the continuous sacrificial requirement throughout the entire duration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It emphasizes that the entire week is consecrated to the Lord through prescribed offerings, maintaining a constant posture of worship, dedication, and atonement, acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty over their lives.
* **"in the seventh day [is] an holy convocation":** This specifies the particular sanctity of the final day of the feast. Like the first day, the seventh day is designated as a _miqra' qodesh_, a sacred assembly, requiring the community to gather for worship, instruction, and remembrance. This designation marks it as a culminating point of the week-long observance, emphasizing its solemnity and communal importance.
* **"ye shall do no servile work [therein].":** This final injunction reinforces the special nature of the seventh day. It mandates abstention from all ordinary, laborious work, ensuring that the people's attention and energy are fully directed towards the spiritual significance of the day and their communal worship of God, free from the demands of daily toil and economic pursuits. This prohibition fosters a sacred space for unhindered devotion.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 23:8 employs several literary devices to convey its message with clarity and emphasis. The **repetition** of the phrase "offering made by fire" throughout the chapter (e.g., [Leviticus 23:6](/leviticus/23-6 "Leviticus 23:6 - Feast of Unleavened Bread")) reinforces the centrality of sacrifice in Israelite worship and the continuous nature of their dedication during the feast. The designation of the seventh day as a "holy convocation" and a day of "no servile work" creates a strong sense of **emphasis** and **climax**, highlighting its particular solemnity as the culmination of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This structure also demonstrates **parallelism** with the first day of the feast and the weekly Sabbath, establishing a pattern of sacred rest and assembly that underscores the divine ordering of time. Furthermore, the prohibition of "servile work" functions as a **negative commandment** that paradoxically defines a positive spiritual space—a time for focused worship, communal solidarity, and unhindered communion with God, free from worldly distractions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 23:8 profoundly illustrates God's desire for His people to consecrate their time and resources to Him, not merely as an obligation but as an act of worship and remembrance. The concept of "holy convocation" underscores the divine initiative in calling His people together, emphasizing that true worship is a response to God's invitation and His mighty acts of deliverance. The prohibition of "servile work" on designated sacred days teaches the importance of spiritual rest and prioritizing communion with God over worldly pursuits, a principle that transcends the Mosaic Law and speaks to the human need for Sabbath-like rhythms in life. This verse, therefore, highlights themes of divine sovereignty, communal worship, and the sanctification of time for spiritual purposes, inviting believers to intentionally set apart time and resources for the Lord.

* [Exodus 12:16](/exodus/12-16 "Exodus 12:16 - Holy Convocation during Unleavened Bread")
* [Deuteronomy 16:8](/deuteronomy/16-8 "Deuteronomy 16:8 - The Solemn Assembly of Unleavened Bread")
* [Nehemiah 8:9-10](/nehemiah/8-9-10 "Nehemiah 8:9-10 - A Holy Day of Joy and Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 23:8, though rooted in ancient Israelite ritual, offers profound principles for contemporary believers. It calls us to recognize that true spiritual vitality requires intentional setting aside of time for God—not just a fleeting moment, but a sustained period of focus and devotion. The "holy convocation" reminds us of the irreplaceable value of corporate worship and communal gathering, where we collectively remember God's deliverance and are nourished by His Word and presence. In a world that constantly demands our labor and attention, the command to do "no servile work" challenges us to evaluate our priorities, ensuring that our spiritual well-being and relationship with God are not crowded out by the relentless pursuit of worldly gain. It invites us to embrace a rhythm of rest and worship that reorients our lives around divine priorities, fostering sincerity and truth in our walk, and cultivating a deeper, more abiding relationship with our Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a "holy convocation" challenge our modern understanding of corporate worship and communal gathering, and what practical steps can we take to prioritize it?**
* **In what practical ways can we apply the principle of "no servile work" to our lives today, ensuring we create space for spiritual rest and devotion amidst our busy schedules and the demands of daily life?**
* **What "offerings made by fire"—symbolizing dedication and surrender of our time, talents, and resources—might God be calling us to present in our lives today, beyond mere ritual?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "seventh day" of the Feast of Unleavened Bread?**

Answer: The seventh day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, as specified in [Leviticus 23:8](/leviticus/23-8 "Leviticus 23:8 - The Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread"), holds special significance as a "holy convocation" and a day of rest from "servile work." Similar to the first day of the feast and the weekly Sabbath, it marked a solemn assembly where the Israelites were to gather for worship and remembrance. This emphasis on the first and seventh days served as bookends, highlighting the sacredness of the entire week-long observance and providing a culminating point for reflection on God's deliverance from Egypt. It underscored the importance of beginning and ending sacred periods with dedicated time for God, reinforcing the sanctity of the entire festival.

**What is the difference between "servile work" and other activities permitted on feast days?**

Answer: "Servile work" (Hebrew: _mele'khet 'avodah'_) refers to ordinary, laborious, or gainful employment that would distract from the spiritual purpose of the holy day. While the weekly Sabbath (as seen in [Exodus 20:10](/exodus/20-10 "Exodus 20:10 - The Sabbath Command")) generally prohibited all work, including food preparation, certain feast days, like the Feast of Unleavened Bread, allowed for necessary activities such as cooking (cf. [Exodus 12:16](/exodus/12-16 "Exodus 12:16 - Instructions for Unleavened Bread")). The distinction ensured that while basic needs could be met, the primary focus remained on worship, communal gathering, and remembrance of God's acts, rather than on economic or personal pursuits. It was about setting aside the mundane to embrace the sacred and prioritize spiritual communion.

**Were the "offerings made by fire" the same every day of the seven days?**

Answer: While [Leviticus 23:8](/leviticus/23-8 "Leviticus 23:8 - Offerings During Unleavened Bread") generally states "ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days," the specific types and quantities of offerings varied throughout the feast. Numbers 28:17-25 provides the detailed sacrificial calendar for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, including daily burnt offerings, grain offerings, and sin offerings, with special offerings on the first and seventh days. This indicates a continuous, yet varied, regimen of sacrifices designed to maintain a constant posture of dedication and atonement before the Lord throughout the entire week, ensuring a comprehensive expression of worship and covenant fidelity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 23:8, with its emphasis on a holy convocation, offerings by fire, and cessation from servile work, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage, is a powerful type of Christ's deliverance from the bondage of sin. Paul explicitly declares, "Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed" ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb")). Just as the Israelites were commanded to remove all leaven, symbolizing sin and malice, believers are called to live a life of "sincerity and truth" ([1 Corinthians 5:8](/1_corinthians/5-8 "1 Corinthians 5:8 - The Unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth")), having been cleansed by Christ's sacrifice. The "offerings made by fire" foreshadow the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, who "through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")), making full atonement for our sins and establishing a new covenant. Furthermore, the "holy convocation" points to the church, the new Israel, gathered by God through Christ's call, forming a "royal priesthood, a holy nation" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), called to proclaim His excellencies. The cessation from "servile work" on the seventh day prefigures the spiritual rest we find in Christ, who invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find "rest for your souls" ([Matthew 11:28-29](/matthew/11-28-29 "Matthew 11:28-29 - Come to Me, All Who Labor")). In Him, we cease from our own futile attempts at self-justification and enter into the finished work of redemption, finding true rest and belonging in the ultimate "holy convocation" of God's people, gathered eternally around the Lamb.

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.