The term "firstripe" refers to the first fruits or the earliest ripening produce of the harvest. In biblical times, the concept of the first fruits held significant spiritual and agricultural importance. The first fruits were considered the best and were offered to God as a sign of gratitude and acknowledgment of His provision.

Biblical References

The concept of firstripe is closely associated with the offerings and festivals in the Old Testament. In Leviticus 23:10-11 , God commands the Israelites: "Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘When you enter the land I am giving you and reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest. And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD so that it may be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath."

This passage highlights the importance of dedicating the first and best of the harvest to God, symbolizing trust in His continued provision and blessing. The offering of the first fruits was an act of worship and a reminder of God's sovereignty over the land and its produce.

In Numbers 18:12 , the Lord speaks to Aaron, saying, "I give you all the finest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain they give the LORD as the firstfruits of their harvest." This verse underscores the idea that the first and finest portions of the harvest were to be set apart for the Lord and His servants, reflecting the principle of giving God the best of what one has.

Spiritual Significance

The offering of the firstripe is not merely an agricultural practice but carries deep spiritual significance. It represents the principle of giving God the first place in one's life, acknowledging Him as the source of all blessings. This act of faith and obedience is a demonstration of reliance on God's provision and a commitment to honoring Him with one's resources.

The concept of first fruits is also seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:20 , Paul writes, "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." Here, Christ is referred to as the firstfruits, indicating that His resurrection is the first of many to come, promising eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, the timing of the firstripe was crucial. The first fruits were typically offered during the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, which occurred fifty days after the Passover. This festival celebrated the end of the grain harvest and was a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for God's provision.

The practice of offering the firstripe was a communal event, involving the entire community in a shared expression of gratitude and dependence on God. It reinforced the understanding that the land and its produce were gifts from God, to be stewarded with care and reverence.

Application for Believers

For contemporary believers, the principle of the firstripe can be applied in various aspects of life. It encourages Christians to prioritize God in their time, talents, and resources, offering Him the first and best of what they have. This practice serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and a call to live a life of gratitude and stewardship.

By embracing the spirit of the firstripe, believers are invited to trust in God's provision and to live in a way that reflects His generosity and grace.1073. bakkurah -- firstripe
... bakkurah. 1074 . firstripe. Transliteration: bakkurah Phonetic Spelling:
(bak-koo-raw') Short Definition: firstripe. Word Origin see bikkurah. firstripe ...
/hebrew/1073.htm - 5k

1063. bikkurah -- the first ripe fig, early fig
... firstripe fruit. Feminine of bikkuwr; the early fig -- firstripe (fruit). see HEBREW
bikkuwr. 1062, 1063. bikkurah. 1064 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1063.htm - 6k

Isaiah's Discourse
... Ephraim shall be trodden under foot: and the fading flower of his glorious beauty,
which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be as the firstripe fig before ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv isaiahs discourse.htm

Afraid of Giants
... not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now
the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.21. So they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

Nahum's Doom of Nineveh
... enemy. All thy fortresses shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs:
If they be shaken, They fall into the mouth of the eater. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/xi nahums doom of nineveh.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... fortunate? "All thy fortresses shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs:
if they be shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Firstripe (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Firstripe (2 Occurrences). Hosea 9:10 I found
Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers ...
/f/firstripe.htm - 7k

First-ripe (7 Occurrences)
First-ripe. Firstripe, First-ripe. First-time . Multi-Version Concordance ... (WEB
JPS ASV DBY RSV). Firstripe, First-ripe. First-time . Reference Bible.
/f/first-ripe.htm - 8k

Firstlings (7 Occurrences)

/f/firstlings.htm - 8k

Baalpeor (5 Occurrences)
... Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the
firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and ...
/b/baalpeor.htm - 8k

Holds (67 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:12 All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs:
if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater. ...
/h/holds.htm - 26k

Abominations (81 Occurrences)
... Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the
firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and ...
/a/abominations.htm - 35k

Separated (97 Occurrences)
... Hosea 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the
firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and ...
/s/separated.htm - 37k

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