King James Version

What Does Numbers 28:26 Mean?

Numbers 28:26 in the King James Version says “Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall h...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:”

Numbers 28:26 · KJV

Context

24

After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

25

And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.

26

Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:

27

But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year;

28

And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram,

Read Numbers 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), 'when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD... ye shall have an holy convocation.' This feast celebrated first fruits of wheat harvest, occurring fifty days after Passover. The Hebrew 'minchah chadashah' (new grain offering) presented first fruits to God, acknowledging Him as provider. The 'holy convocation' (miqra qodesh) called all Israel to gather for worship and cessation from work. This feast's New Testament fulfillment came at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended (Acts 2), making believers the first fruits of new creation (James 1:18, Rev 14:4). The church is God's harvest from Christ's death and resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pentecost (Greek for 'fiftieth') occurred seven weeks after Passover/Firstfruits (Lev 23:15-16), celebrating spring wheat harvest completion. Unlike Passover's unleavened bread, Pentecost offerings included leavened bread (v.17), possibly symbolizing the church with sin still present though redeemed. The holy convocation required cessation from servile work (v.26), emphasizing worship's priority over productivity. Fifty days after Christ's resurrection (the ultimate Passover Lamb), the Spirit came, constituting the church and empowering witness. Peter's Pentecost sermon yielded 3,000 converts - first fruits of gospel harvest (Acts 2:41). The feast foreshadowed the church age.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you acknowledge God as source of all your 'harvests' - income, success, provision?
  2. How does Pentecost's fulfillment in the church's birth deepen your appreciation for the Holy Spirit's role?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וּבְי֣וֹם1 of 16

“Also in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַבִּכּוּרִ֗ים2 of 16

“of the firstfruits”

H1061

the first-fruits of the crop

בְּהַקְרִ֨יבְכֶ֜ם3 of 16

“when ye bring”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

מִנְחָ֤ה4 of 16

“meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

חֲדָשָׁה֙5 of 16

“a new”

H2319

new

לַֽיהוָ֔ה6 of 16

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּשָׁבֻעֹ֖תֵיכֶ֑ם7 of 16

“after your weeks”

H7620

literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)

מִֽקְרָא8 of 16

“convocation”

H4744

something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal

קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙9 of 16

“be out ye shall have an holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה10 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָכֶ֔ם11 of 16
H0
כָּל12 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְלֶ֥אכֶת13 of 16

“work”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

עֲבֹדָ֖ה14 of 16

“no servile”

H5656

work of any kind

לֹ֥א15 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַֽעֲשֽׂוּ׃16 of 16

“ye shall do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Numbers 28:26 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 Numbers 28:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 23:16Exodus 34:22Leviticus 23:10Leviticus 23:15-211 Corinthians 15:20Deuteronomy 16:9-11

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