“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:”
My Notes
What Does Leviticus 23:10 Mean?
God instructs Israel that when they enter the promised land and reap their first harvest, they must bring the firstfruits — a sheaf of the initial grain — to the priest. This isn't a tithe (a percentage); it's the literal first cutting. Before anyone eats, God eats. Before the harvest is calculated, God's portion is separated.
The timing is significant: "when ye be come into the land which I give unto you." This instruction is given while Israel is still in the wilderness. They haven't arrived yet, they haven't planted yet, they haven't harvested yet — and God is already telling them what to do with the first sheaf. The command assumes the promise will be fulfilled. It's instructions for a future that faith has already claimed.
The firstfruits offering carries immense New Testament significance. Paul identifies Christ's resurrection as the "firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). Jesus rose on the Feast of Firstfruits — the very day this sheaf was traditionally waved before the LORD. The timing was not coincidental.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does it mean to give God the 'firstfruits' before you know if the harvest will be sufficient?
- 2.How does giving first shape your trust differently than giving from leftovers?
- 3.What new season in your life needs a 'firstfruits' decision right now?
- 4.How does Jesus as the 'firstfruits of resurrection' deepen your understanding of this offering?
Devotional
God gives harvest instructions to people standing in a desert. They have no land, no seeds in the ground, no crop to show. And he says: when you get there — not if, when — here's what you do with the first sheaf.
That's outrageous faith built into the law. God is training Israel to think about generosity before they have anything to be generous with. He's establishing the rhythm of giving before the harvest exists. By the time the first stalk breaks through the ground in Canaan, the habit will already be in place: the first portion belongs to God.
This principle should shape how you think about every new season, job, relationship, or beginning. Before the harvest is in, decide: the first belongs to God. The first of your time, your energy, your income, your attention. Not because you have surplus, but because giving first is an act of faith that says, "I trust there will be enough."
The connection to resurrection makes this even richer. Jesus is the firstfruits — the first sheaf of a harvest that includes everyone who follows. His resurrection isn't just a miracle; it's a promise that the full harvest is coming. When you give God your first, you're participating in the same logic of resurrection: the first offering guarantees the rest.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them,.... What is next observed, it being incumbent on them to do what…
These verses contain a distinct command regarding the religious services immediately connected with the grain harvest,…
Here again the feasts are called the feasts of the Lord, because he appointed them. Jeroboam's feast, which he devised…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture