What is the meaning of Leviticus 23:15? From the day after the Sabbath “From the day after the Sabbath” (Leviticus 23:15) fixes the starting point precisely: the first day of the week that follows the weekly Sabbath within the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6–11). • The instruction is literal and calendar-specific; Israel was not left guessing (Numbers 28:26). • This timing foreshadows Christ’s resurrection on “the first day of the week” (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2), underscoring that He is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). • By anchoring the count to the weekly Sabbath, God built a rhythm of rest and renewal into the agricultural and spiritual life of the nation (Exodus 20:8-11). The day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering “The day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering” recalls the barley sheaf lifted before the LORD as firstfruits (Leviticus 23:10-14). • The offering declared the whole harvest to be the Lord’s, acknowledging His provision (Proverbs 3:9). • Because the sheaf had to be accepted before the rest of the crop could be eaten (Leviticus 23:14), it vividly pictures Christ’s ascension and acceptance before the Father (John 20:17; Hebrews 9:24). • Linking the count to this act ties every subsequent blessing of harvest—and later, the giving of the Spirit—to the accepted sacrifice (Romans 8:32). You are to count off seven full weeks “You are to count off seven full weeks” sets a forty-nine-day interval, culminating in the fiftieth day, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) (Leviticus 23:16; Deuteronomy 16:9-10). • Forty-nine days equals seven Sabbaths: complete, perfect cycles of time (Genesis 2:2-3). • The counting kept the people engaged daily, looking forward expectantly to the next feast—just as the disciples waited prayerfully for the promised Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5). • On the fiftieth day the Spirit was poured out (Acts 2:1-4), signaling the beginning of God’s harvest among the nations (James 1:18). summary Leviticus 23:15 anchors the countdown from Firstfruits to Pentecost in three concrete moments: the day after the Sabbath, the presentation of the wave sheaf, and the completion of seven full weeks. Each element points to the literal resurrection, acceptance, and ongoing work of Christ, and invites believers to live in thankful anticipation of the harvest He brings. |
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