King James Version

What Does Exodus 23:16 Mean?

Exodus 23:16 in the King James Version says “And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingatherin...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.”

Exodus 23:16 · KJV

Context

14

Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.

15

Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

16

And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

17

Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

18

Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning. sacrifice: or, feast

Read Exodus 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

Israel's festival calendar (Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles) celebrated God's provision and redemption. The appointed times (מוֹעֲדִים, mo'adim) gathered covenant people to remember God's faithfulness and anticipate future fulfillment. Festivals combined worship, rest, and fellowship—integrating spiritual and social life. These celebrations typologically point to Christ: Passover (His sacrifice), Weeks/Pentecost (Spirit's outpouring), Tabernacles (God dwelling with us). Christian worship continues this pattern of remembrance and anticipation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern religions held seasonal festivals, but Israel's feasts distinctly commemorated historical redemption (exodus) rather than merely agricultural cycles. The festivals reinforced covenant identity across generations.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this law reveal God's character—His justice, mercy, or holiness?
  2. What New Testament principles build upon or fulfill this Old Testament regulation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְחַ֤ג1 of 16

“And the feast”

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

הַקָּצִיר֙2 of 16

“of harvest”

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

בִּכּוּרֵ֣י3 of 16

“the firstfruits”

H1061

the first-fruits of the crop

מַעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ4 of 16

“in thy labours”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּזְרַ֖ע6 of 16

“which thou hast sown”

H2232

to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify

הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃7 of 16

“in the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

וְחַ֤ג8 of 16

“And the feast”

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

הָֽאָסִף֙9 of 16

“of ingathering”

H614

gathered, i.e., (abstractly) a gathering in of crops

בְּצֵ֣את10 of 16

“which is in the end”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַשָּׁנָ֔ה11 of 16

“of the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בְּאָסְפְּךָ֥12 of 16

“when thou hast gathered”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֶֽת13 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ14 of 16

“in thy labours”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

מִן15 of 16
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃16 of 16

“in the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 23:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 23:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 34:22Leviticus 23:9-21Leviticus 23:34-44Exodus 22:29Acts 2:1John 7:37

Test Your Knowledge

Exodus 23 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Exodus 23 with CommentaryAll Exodus ChaptersComplete Exodus QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes