King James Version

What Does Leviticus 23:10 Mean?

Leviticus 23:10 in the King James Version says “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall rea... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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: sheaf: or, handful: Heb. omer

Leviticus 23:10 · KJV


Context

8

But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

9

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

10

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: sheaf: or, handful: Heb. omer

11

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.

12

And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

This verse falls within the section on Appointed Feasts. God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings.

The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
The holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?
  3. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
דַּבֵּ֞ר1 of 24

Speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֤י3 of 24

unto the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙4 of 24

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣5 of 24

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֔ם6 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כִּֽי7 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וַֽהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם8 of 24

thereof then ye shall bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל9 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֗רֶץ10 of 24

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר11 of 24
H834

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

אֲנִי֙12 of 24
H589

i

נֹתֵ֣ן13 of 24

which I give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָכֶ֔ם14 of 24
H0
וּקְצַרְתֶּ֖ם15 of 24

unto you and shall reap

H7114

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

אֶת16 of 24
H853

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

קְצִֽירְכֶ֖ם17 of 24

of your harvest

H7105

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

וַֽהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם18 of 24

thereof then ye shall bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת19 of 24
H853

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

עֹ֛מֶר20 of 24

a sheaf

H6016

properly, a heap, i.e., a sheaf; also an omer, as a dry measure

רֵאשִׁ֥ית21 of 24

of the firstfruits

H7225

the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)

קְצִֽירְכֶ֖ם22 of 24

of your harvest

H7105

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

אֶל23 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֵֽן׃24 of 24

unto the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Leviticus 23:10 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 Leviticus 23:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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