The concept of "harvest" in the Bible is rich with agricultural, spiritual, and eschatological significance. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, the harvest was a critical time of year, marking the culmination of months of labor and the provision of sustenance for the community. Biblically, the term "harvest" is used both literally and metaphorically, symbolizing God's provision, judgment, and the gathering of believers.

Agricultural Significance

In the Old Testament, the harvest was a time of joy and thanksgiving, as it represented God's blessing and faithfulness in providing for His people. The Israelites celebrated several feasts related to the harvest, including the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) and the Feast of Ingathering (Sukkot). Leviticus 23:10-11 instructs, "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.'"

The harvest was also a time of social justice, as the Law commanded landowners to leave the edges of their fields unharvested for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 19:9-10). This practice underscored the community's responsibility to care for the less fortunate and reflected God's compassion and provision for all.

Spiritual and Metaphorical Significance

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently used the imagery of harvest to convey spiritual truths. In Matthew 9:37-38 , Jesus says to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest." Here, the harvest symbolizes the readiness of people to receive the Gospel and the need for laborers to spread the message of salvation.

The Apostle Paul also employs the metaphor of harvest to describe the results of spiritual sowing. In Galatians 6:7-9 , he writes, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Eschatological Significance

The harvest motif is also prominent in eschatological contexts, symbolizing the final judgment and the gathering of God's people. In the parable of the weeds, Jesus explains that the harvest represents the end of the age when the righteous and the wicked will be separated (Matthew 13:39-43). Revelation 14:14-16 further depicts a vision of the end times: "Then I looked and saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was One like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling in a loud voice to the One seated on the cloud, 'Swing Your sickle and reap, because the time has come to harvest; for the crop of the earth is ripe.' So the One seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested."

In summary, the concept of harvest in the Bible encompasses themes of provision, responsibility, spiritual readiness, and ultimate judgment. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, the importance of spiritual labor, and the hope of eternal life for those who are faithful.7105a. qatsir -- harvesting, harvest
... 7105, 7105a. qatsir. 7105b . harvesting, harvest. Transliteration: qatsir
Short Definition: harvest. Word Origin from qatsar Definition ...
/hebrew/7105a.htm - 5k

A Strain of the Judgment of the Lord.
... The spring-tide's rosy gales? And who will give. The summer harvest's heavy stalks
mature? 5 And to the autumn's vines their swollen grapes? ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/4 a strain of the.htm

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
... Work on in hope; the plough, the sickle wield; Thy Master is the harvest's Master
too; He gives the golden seed, He owns the field, And does Himself what His ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter viii pastor in parish.htm

Genesis.
... 150 Thy labour sad; for thou shalt see, instead. Of wheaten harvest's seed, the
thistle rise,. And the thorn plenteously with pointed spines: ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/3 genesis.htm

Harvest's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Harvest's (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 25:5 That
which groweth of itself of thy harvest thou shalt not reap ...
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Harvests (8 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ruth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end
of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she dwelt with her mother-in-law. ...
/h/harvests.htm - 8k

Harvest-time (1 Occurrence)
Harvest-time. Harvest's, Harvest-time. Has . Multi-Version Concordance
Harvest-time (1 Occurrence). Matthew 13:30 Leave ...
/h/harvest-time.htm - 6k

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