What Is the Feast of Firstfruits — In Biblical Context
The Feast of Firstfruits was Israel's spring harvest offering, picturing the resurrection of Christ as the firstfruits of those who sleep.
The Feast of Firstfruits was Israel's spring harvest offering, picturing the resurrection of Christ as the firstfruits of those who sleep.
"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: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it." — Leviticus 23:10-11 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The Feast of Firstfruits was celebrated on the day after the Sabbath during the week of Passover. The priest would wave a sheaf of the first grain of the barley harvest before the LORD, acknowledging that all produce came from Him. No grain could be eaten until this offering was made. The feast held profound prophetic significance. Jesus rose from the dead on the day after the Sabbath — the very day of Firstfruits. Paul explicitly connects the two: 'Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.' Just as the first sheaf guaranteed the rest of the harvest, Christ's resurrection guarantees the resurrection of every believer. The Feast of Firstfruits is a celebration of hope: because He lives, we too shall live.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Leviticus 23:10-11, sits inside Leviticus 23. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it."
Supporting Passages
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
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