Leviticus 23:3-13

3 "Work six days. The seventh day is a Sabbath, a day of total and complete rest, a sacred assembly. Don't do any work. Wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to God.
4 "These are the appointed feasts of God, the sacred assemblies which you are to announce at the times set for them
5 "God's Passover, beginning at sundown on the fourteenth day of the first month.
6 "God's Feast of Unraised Bread, on the fifteenth day of this same month. You are to eat unraised bread for seven days.
7 Hold a sacred assembly on the first day; don't do any regular work.
8 Offer Fire-Gifts to God for seven days. On the seventh day hold a sacred assembly; don't do any regular work."
9 God spoke to Moses:
10 "Tell the People of Israel, When you arrive at the land that I am giving you and reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain that you harvest.
11 He will wave the sheaf before God for acceptance on your behalf; on the morning after Sabbath, the priest will wave it.
12 On the same day that you wave the sheaf, offer a year-old male lamb without defect for a Whole-Burnt-Offering to God
13 and with it the Grain-Offering of four quarts of fine flour mixed with oil - a Fire-Gift to God, a pleasing fragrance - and also a Drink-Offering of a quart of wine.

Leviticus 23:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 23

In this chapter an account is given of the several holy days, times, and seasons, appointed by God, under the general names of feasts and holy convocations; and first of the sabbath, Le 23:1-4; then of the passover and feast of unleavened bread, Le 23:5-8; to which is annexed the sheaf of the firstfruits, Le 23:9-14; after that of the feast of weeks or pentecost, Le 23:15-22; and of the feast of trumpets, Le 23:23-25; and of the day of atonement, Le 23:26-32; and of the feast of tabernacles, Le 23:33-44.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.