Topical Bible: The Harvest of Barley at the Passover

Bible > Topical > The Harvest of Barley at the Passover

◄ The Harvest of Barley at the Passover ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The harvest of barley during the Passover is a significant event in the biblical calendar, marking the beginning of the grain harvest in ancient Israel. This event is deeply intertwined with the religious and agricultural life of the Israelites, as it coincides with the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover, two of the most important observances in the Jewish liturgical year.

Biblical Context

The barley harvest is first mentioned in the context of the Passover in the Book of Exodus. The Passover, or Pesach, commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The timing of the Passover is linked to the agricultural cycle, specifically the ripening of barley, which is the first grain to mature in the spring. In Exodus 9:31, the Bible notes, "Now the flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley was ripe and the flax was in bloom." This indicates that the barley harvest occurs around the time of the Passover.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, immediately follows the Passover. During this seven-day festival, the Israelites were commanded to eat unleavened bread, as stated in Exodus 12:15, "For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day, you are to remove the leaven from your houses." The unleavened bread, or matzah, is made from barley or wheat flour, emphasizing the connection between the barley harvest and this feast.

The Wave Sheaf Offering

A key ritual associated with the barley harvest is the offering of the first sheaf, or omer, of barley to the Lord. This is known as the Wave Sheaf Offering and is described in Leviticus 23:10-11: "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 offering signifies the dedication of the firstfruits to God and serves as a reminder of His provision.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The barley harvest at Passover holds rich symbolic meaning. Barley, being the first grain to ripen, represents the firstfruits of the harvest and is a symbol of new beginnings and God's faithfulness. The offering of the first sheaf is an act of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over the land and its produce.

In the New Testament, the concept of firstfruits is further developed in the context 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, the imagery of the firstfruits is used to describe Christ as the first to rise from the dead, promising a future resurrection for all believers.

Cultural and Historical Aspects

Historically, the barley harvest was a time of great activity and celebration in ancient Israel. The successful harvest of barley was crucial for the sustenance of the community, providing food and resources for the coming year. The timing of the harvest was also important for the observance of the religious festivals, as the availability of barley was necessary for the preparation of unleavened bread and the fulfillment of the Wave Sheaf Offering.

In summary, the harvest of barley at the Passover is a multifaceted event that encompasses agricultural, religious, and spiritual dimensions. It serves as a reminder of God's provision and faithfulness, while also pointing forward to the hope of resurrection and new life through Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 23:6,10
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to the LORD: seven days you must eat unleavened bread.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ruth 1:22
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4005. pentekoste -- fiftieth, Pentecost, the second of the three ...
... fiftieth day after Passover. 4005 (from 4002 , "five") -- properly , referring to
the festival of -- a festival celebrated at the end of the barley harvest. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4005.htm - 7k

Library

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... the last, if the Bethesda events took place at Passover. ... ad28, which is the beginning
of the harvest season ... Barley ripens in the Jordan valley about the 1st of ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxviii jesus defends disciples who.htm

The Passover visit
... Passover was followed by the seven days' feast of unleavened bread. On the second
day of the feast, the first fruits of the year's harvest, a sheaf of barley, ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 8 the passover visit.htm

Ruth
... And they came to Bethlehem about the passover tide, at the beginning of barley harvest,
and Ruth went out into the fields to glean, and she lighted on a part ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon x ruth.htm

Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ...
... of unleavened bread succeeds that of the passover, and falls ... beat them small, and
purge the barley from the ... they may publicly or privately reap their harvest. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the festivals.htm

The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn ...
... and most obvious is, that the harvest was still standing - whether that of barley
or of wheat. The former began immediately after the Passover, the latter ...
/.../chapter xxxv the two sabbath-controversies.htm

New Teaching in Parables' - the Parables to the People by the Lake ...
... And as we know that the barley-harvest commenced with the Passover, we cannot be
mistaken in supposing that the scene is laid a few weeks before that Feast. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiii new teaching in.htm

The Certainty and Joy of the Resurrection
... Part of the ceremonial of the Passover was the presentation in the Temple of a barley
sheaf, the first of the harvest, waved before the Lord in dedication to ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the certainty and joy of.htm

The Miracle of Pentecost and the Birthday of the Christian
... 2:1). It began directly after the Passover with the offering of the first sheaf
of the barley-harvest, and ended at Pentecost with the offering of the first ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 24 the miracle of.htm

The First Great Group of Parables.
... From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) LIV ... here spoken of, being wheat
or barley, needed no ... he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/liv the first great group 3.htm

"Give Ye them to Eat"
... The Passover was at hand, and, from far and near ... that had been provided; the fishes
and barley loaves were ... every day feeding millions from earth's harvest fields ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 39 give ye them.htm