Lexical Summary bikkurim: Firstfruits Original Word: בִּכּוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance first fruit ripe figuratively, hasty fruit From bakar; the first-fruits of the crop -- first fruit (-ripe (figuratively)), hasty fruit. see HEBREW bakar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bakar Definition first fruits NASB Translation early ripened things (2), first fruits (12), first ripe (1), first ripe fruits (1), ripe fruit (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּכּוּרִים noun masculine first-fruits — Leviticus 2:14; Leviticus 23:17; Numbers 28:26 (P) 2 Kings 4:42; Nehemiah 3:12; Nehemiah 13:31; בִּכֻּרִים Leviticus 23:20 (P); construct בִּכּוּרֵי Exodus 23:16,19 (E) Exodus 34:22,26 (J) Numbers 13:20 (E) Numbers 18:13 (P) Nehemiah 10:36 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 44:30; suffix בִּכּוּרֶיךָ Leviticus 2:14; — the first of grain and ftuit that ripened and was gathered and offered to God according to the ritual; לֶחֶם הַבִּכּוּרִים bread made of the new grain offered at Pentecost Leviticus 23:20; יום הבכורים day of the first-fruits (Pentecost) Numbers 28:26. בַּל see below בלה. בֵּל, בֵּלְאשַׁצַּר see below בעל, p. 128. Topical Lexicon Definition and Range בִּכּוּר (bikkur) designates the very earliest produce of field or tree—the first grain heads, the first figs, the first grapes, the first loaves baked from the new harvest. It occurs eighteen times and is always concerned with what appears first and therefore belongs first to the LORD. Agricultural Setting In the land of Israel, barley ripens in early spring, wheat in late spring, vines and figs in early summer. The first cutting or picking was eagerly anticipated, both for food and for worship. Offering these “firsts” acknowledged that the whole harvest was the LORD’s gift. Covenantal Obligation The great covenant collections enshrine the duty: • “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God” (Exodus 23:19; 34:26). Failure to bring bikkur was covenant unfaithfulness (compare Nehemiah 13:31). Feasts and Calendar 1. Feast of Harvest / Weeks (Shavuot): “You are to celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field” (Exodus 23:16; Numbers 28:26). The first loaves made from new wheat were waved before the LORD (Leviticus 23:17, 20). Priestly Provision and Community Care Bikkur supported the priesthood. In 2 Kings 4:42 the gift of “twenty loaves of barley bread from the firstfruits” enabled Elisha to feed a hundred men, illustrating how God multiplies what is first dedicated to Him for the blessing of many. Prophetic Imagery of Early Figs The same word pictures an early fig’s swift consumption: The prophets employ bikkur to portray the speed with which judgment or change will come—what appears secure can vanish as quickly as an early fig is eaten. Theological Themes 1. Ownership and gratitude: Giving firstfruits confessed that the land and its yield are the LORD’s. Typological Fulfillment in Christ and the Church The New Testament applies the firstfruits principle to redemption: • Messiah’s resurrection—“Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Ministry Application Today Believers still honor the principle by dedicating the “first and best” of income, time, and abilities to the Lord’s service, trusting Him for the remainder. Congregations may highlight this during harvest festivals or as part of stewardship teaching, reminding worshipers that early, willing giving reflects covenant loyalty and anticipates God’s continued provision. Summary בִּכּוּר gathers Israel’s first and finest yield, binding agriculture, worship, and community in a single act of devotion. Its prophetic use warns of fleeting security, while its typological trajectory leads to Christ, whose resurrection guarantees the full harvest of redeemed humanity. The continuing call is clear: offer the first portion in faith, and rejoice in the sure promise of God’s abundant completion. Forms and Transliterations בִּכּ֨וּרֵי בִּכּוּרִ֑ים בִּכּוּרִ֖ים בִּכּוּרִים֙ בִּכּוּרֵ֖י בִּכּוּרֵ֞י בִּכּוּרֵ֣י בִּכּוּרֵ֥י בִּכּוּרֵי֙ בִּכּוּרֶֽיךָ׃ בכורי בכוריך׃ בכורים הַבִּכּוּרִ֗ים הַבִּכּוּרִ֤ים הבכורים וְלַבִּכּוּרִ֑ים וּבִכּוּרֵ֛י ובכורי ולבכורים כְּבִכּוּרָהּ֙ כבכורה bik·kū·rê bik·kū·re·ḵā bik·kū·rîm bikkūrê bikkuRei bikkuReicha bikkūreḵā bikkuRim bikkūrîm hab·bik·kū·rîm habbikkuRim habbikkūrîm kə·ḇik·kū·rāh kəḇikkūrāh kevikkuRah ū·ḇik·kū·rê ūḇikkūrê uvikkuRei velabbikkuRim wə·lab·bik·kū·rîm wəlabbikkūrîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 23:16 HEB: וְחַ֤ג הַקָּצִיר֙ בִּכּוּרֵ֣י מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר NAS: of the Harvest [of] the first fruits of your labors KJV: of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, INT: the Feast of the Harvest the first of your labors what Exodus 23:19 Exodus 34:22 Exodus 34:26 Leviticus 2:14 Leviticus 2:14 Leviticus 23:17 Leviticus 23:20 Numbers 13:20 Numbers 18:13 Numbers 28:26 2 Kings 4:42 Nehemiah 10:35 Nehemiah 10:35 Nehemiah 13:31 Isaiah 28:4 Ezekiel 44:30 Nahum 3:12 18 Occurrences |
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