Leviticus 23

Three Words in Leviticus 23: MOED, SHABBAT, SHABBATON

When interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures, we must not distort the detailed and clear covenant as if it were vague and dull. To achieve this, one important method is not to translate but to transliterate key Hebrew words directly in the text, and then explain their meanings in the commentary section.

The Koine Greek New Testament demonstrates this by transliterating, rather than translating, two Hebrew words—Shabbat and Shabbaton—into Greek. Moreover, it merges these two words into a single transliteration: Sabbaton. This illustrates the importance of a faithful and pure interpretation in the New Testament.

Specifically, all the days in Leviticus 23 are Sabbaths, both Shabbat and Shabbaton. Within the Hebrew Scriptures’ Moedim, there are Sabbaths and festivals, times of the covenant, and covenantal gatherings.

Isaiah 14:13 states: 'You said in your heart, "I will ascend to the heavens; above the stars of God I will raise my throne. I will sit on the mount of MO-ED, on the utmost heights of the North."'

Today, countless people are influenced by the spirituality of Babylon. Each of us must examine our relationship with the spirituality of Babylon that opposes the 'MO-ED.' Isaiah 14:13 records the spiritual challenge of Babylon, which opposes the holy 'Moedim.' To defeat Satan biblically, it is best not to translate 'MO-ED' entirely into the local language.

However, the Koine Greek New Testament translates the Hebrew 'MO-ED' as 'Kairos' in Greek. This is because the specific meaning of 'Kairos' effectively conveys the concept of 'MO-ED.' Yet, translations into English or Korean have not been able to find a single word that perfectly aligns with 'MO-ED.

At the bottom of this page, there is an image of the biblical calendar, along with a detailed explanation of the Hebrew Scriptures from Leviticus 23:1-22. By carefully meditating on the Hebrew words 'Shabbaton' and 'Moed,' one can gain a deep understanding of how the Hebrew Scriptures prophesied the events of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, the Resurrection, and Pentecost. 

1️⃣ Leviticus 23:1 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)

Hebrew:

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר

Transliteration:

Vay'daber Adonai el Moshe lemor

English Translation:

"And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying"


Grammatical Analysis:

Gospel of Jesus Christ & Leviticus 23

Luke 16:31

“He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”

The parables of Jesus are filled with profound truths. The importance of the Scriptures, spoken directly by the Lord God to Moses in the Hebrew Bible, cannot be overstated.

Revelation 15:3

“And they sing the song of God’s servant Moses and the song of the Lamb: 'Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, King of the nations!'”

In Isaiah 14:13, the spirit of Satan, personified as Babylon, spreads an anti-holy Moedim spirituality throughout the world, opposing the entirety of Leviticus 23, which outlines the holy Moedim.

The term "Moed" typically translates to "appointed feast," but it encompasses more than just feasts. It also refers to promised times. 

2️⃣ Leviticus 23:2 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)

Hebrew:

דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם מוֹעֲדֵי יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר־תִּקְרְאוּ אֹתָם מִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ אֵלֶּה הֵם מוֹעֲדָי׃

Transliteration:

Dabber el-b'nei Yisrael ve'amarta alehem mo'adei Adonai asher-tikre'u otam mikra'ei kodesh eileh hem mo'adai.

English Translation:

"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'Moed of the LORD, which you shall proclaim as holy convocations, these are My Moed.'"


Grammatical Analysis:

3️⃣ Leviticus 23:3 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

שֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים תֵּעָשֶׂה מְלָאכָה וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ כָּל־מְלָאכָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ שַׁבָּת הִוא לַיהוָה בְּכֹל מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם׃

Transliteration:

Sheshet yamim te'aseh melachah u'vayom hashvi'i shabbat shabbaton mikra-kodesh kol-melachah lo ta'asu shabbat hi l'Adonai b'chol moshvoteychem.

English Translation:

"Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath Shabbaton, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwelling places."


Grammatical Analysis:

4️⃣ Leviticus 23:4 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

אֵלֶּה מוֹעֲדֵי יְהוָה מִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר תִּקְרְאוּ אֹתָם בְּמוֹעֲדָם׃

Transliteration:

Eileh mo'adei Adonai mikra'ei kodesh asher tikre'u otam b'mo'adam.

English Translation:

"These are Moed of the LORD, holy convocations, which you shall proclaim them in-Moed-of-them."


Grammatical Analysis:

5️⃣ Leviticus 23:5 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן בְּאַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר לַחֹדֶשׁ בֵּין הָעַרְבָּיִם פֶּסַח לַיהוָה׃

Transliteration:

Ba'chodesh ha'rishon be'arba'ah asar la'chodesh bein ha'arbayim Pesach l'Adonai.

English Translation:

"In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the LORD's Passover."


Grammatical Analysis:

6️⃣ Leviticus 23:6 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וּבַחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה חַג הַמַּצּוֹת לַיהוָה שִׁבְעַת יָמִים מַצּוֹת תֹּאכֵלוּ׃

Transliteration:

U'vachamishah asar yom la'chodesh hazeh chag ha'matzot l'Adonai shiv'at yamim matzot tochelu.

English Translation:

"And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread."


Grammatical Analysis:

7️⃣ Leviticus 23:7 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם כָּל־מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ׃

Transliteration:

Ba'yom ha'rishon mikra-kodesh yihyeh lachem kol-melachet avodah lo ta'asu.

English Translation:

"On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work."

Note: The first day is Shabbaton.


Grammatical Analysis:

8️⃣ Leviticus 23:8 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה שִׁבְעַת יָמִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ כָּל־מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ׃

Transliteration:

Vehiqravtem isheh l'Adonai shiv'at yamim ba'yom ha'shvi'i mikra-kodesh kol-melachet avodah lo ta'asu.

English Translation:

"And you shall present a food offering to the LORD for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work."

Note: The seventh day is a Shabbaton.


Grammatical Analysis:

9️⃣ Leviticus 23:9 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר׃

Transliteration:

Vay'daber Adonai el-Moshe lemor.

English Translation:

"And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,"

Note: "In Leviticus 23:1, the Lord God speaks, and He repeats the same message in verse 9, emphasizing its importance. 


Grammatical Analysis:

1️⃣0️⃣ Leviticus 23:10 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

דַּבֵּר אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם כִּי־תָבֹאוּ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם וּקְצַרְתֶּם אֶת־קְצִירָהּ וַהֲבֵאתֶם אֶת־עֹמֶר רֵאשִׁית קְצִירְכֶם אֶל־הַכֹּהֵן׃

Transliteration:

Dabber el-b'nei Yisrael ve'amarta alehem ki-tavo'u el-ha'aretz asher ani noten lachem u'k'tzartem et-k'tzirah va'hevetem et-omer reishit k'tzirchem el-hakohen.

English Translation:

"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first of your harvest to the priest."

Note: "Omer Reshit" refers to the first sheaf of barley gathered at the start of the harvest. Therefore, when translating into English, 'first sheaf of your harvest' conveys the meaning more accurately than 'sheaf of the first fruit of your harvest.' The term 'first fruit' does not appropriately describe the bundled, unthreshed barley sheaf. 


Grammatical Analysis:

1️⃣1️⃣ Leviticus 23:11 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וְהֵנִיף אֶת־הָעֹמֶר לִפְנֵי יְהוָה לִרְצֹנְכֶם מִמָּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת יְנִיפֶנּוּ הַכֹּהֵן׃

Transliteration:

Vehenif et-ha'omer lifnei Adonai lirtzonchem mimmacharat haShabbat yenifenu hakohen.

English Translation:

"He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, so that you may be accepted; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it."


Grammatical Analysis:


In Leviticus 23:11, the command to offer the first sheaf so that it may be accepted on the day after the Sabbath underscores a significant covenantal moment for those who keep the commandments and sanctify the Sabbath. This observance is not about rigid formalism, but rather about a willing heart, the joy of salvation, and the hope of the Kingdom, culminating in the faithful actions inspired by Christ’s love. Bringing the offering to the priest, who waves it before the Lord, symbolizes Jesus, the High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. It emphasizes that worship can only be truly offered to God through Jesus Christ.

Moed (מועד), Chag (חג), Shabbaton (שבתון)

The Apostle Paul succinctly defines these terms. His epistles consistently teach that, in Christ, these appointed times should be observed harmoniously.

Colossians 2:16-23

"Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—'Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,' which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh."

This passage clearly instructs that believers should not be judged based on dietary laws or the observance of festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths. This judgment specifically pertains to the criticism directed at Jewish believers in Jesus for allegedly neglecting the Moedim commanded in the Torah. These criticisms mirror those leveled at Gentiles for their dietary practices. The only way to avoid such judgment is to adhere to the Scriptures. Rather than instilling fear to avoid judgment, the biblical method is to simply follow the Word of God.

Paul’s teaching here does not advocate for the abandonment of the Torah’s commandments but rather warns against adhering to man-made religious decrees and doctrines. While in the past, believers may have followed the elementary principles of the world, in Christ, they are called to live distinct, holy lives in obedience to God's Word. This obedience includes the proper observance of the appointed times as a reflection of Christ’s victory on the cross and His glorious resurrection, which are promises given to those who follow God’s covenant.

1 Timothy 1:9-14

"We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."

This passage reminds us that the law is intended for the unrighteous and serves to guide those who do not follow God’s ways. It also emphasizes that through the grace of Jesus Christ, believers receive strength and are appointed to His service, filled with faith and love.

1️⃣2️⃣ Leviticus 23:12 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וַעֲשִׂיתֶם בְּיוֹם הֲנִיפְכֶם אֶת־הָעֹמֶר כֶּבֶשׂ תָּמִים בֶּן־שְׁנָתוֹ לְעֹלָה לַיהוָה׃

Transliteration:

Va'asitem b'yom hanifchem et-ha'omer keves tamim ben-shnato l'olah l'Adonai.

English Translation:

"And on the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb a year old without blemish as a burnt offering to the LORD."


Grammatical Analysis:


The one-year-old unblemished male lamb symbolizes Jesus Christ. Revelation 22:3 states, 'No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.' The Koine Greek New Testament consistently refers to Jesus Christ as the Lamb, right up to its final chapters. The Passover must now be fulfilled in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus’ role as the Passover Lamb, to be fulfilled in Heaven, is also hinted at during the Last Supper, as recorded in Luke 22:16: 'For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. 

1️⃣3️⃣ Leviticus 23:13 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וּמִנְחָתוֹ שְׁנֵי עֶשְׂרֹנִים סֹלֶת בְּלוּלָה בַשֶּׁמֶן אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ וְנִסְכּוֹ יַיִן רְבִיעִת הַהִין׃

Transliteration:

U'minchato shnei esronim solet blulah vashemen isheh l'Adonai reiach nichoach v'nischo yayin revi'it ha'hin.

English Translation:

"And its grain offering shall be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, a food offering to the LORD with a pleasing aroma, and its drink offering shall be of wine, a fourth of a hin."


Grammatical Analysis:

1️⃣4️⃣ Leviticus 23:14 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וְלֶחֶם וְקָלִי וְכַרְמֶל לֹא תֹאכְלוּ עַד־עֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה עַד הֲבִיאֲכֶם אֶת־קָרְבַּן אֱלֹהֵיכֶם חֻקַּת עוֹלָם לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם בְּכֹל מֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם׃

Transliteration:

V'lechem v'kali v'charmel lo tochelu ad etzem hayom hazeh ad havi'achem et-korban Eloheichem chukat olam l'doroteichem b'chol moshvoteychem.

English Translation:

"And you shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh ears until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings."


Grammatical Analysis:

1️⃣5️⃣ Leviticus 23:15 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וּסְפַרְתֶּם לָכֶם מִמָּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת מִיּוֹם הֲבִיאֲכֶם אֶת־עֹמֶר הַתְּנוּפָה שֶׁבַע שַׁבָּתוֹת תְּמִימוֹת תִּהְיֶינָה׃

Transliteration:

U'sfartem lachem mimmacharat haShabbat miyom havi'achem et-omer hatnufah sheva shabbatot temimot tihyenah.

English Translation:

"You shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, seven complete Sabbaths shall they be."


Grammatical Analysis:

1️⃣6️⃣ Leviticus 23:16 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

עַד מִמָּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת הַשְּׁבִיעִת תִּסְפְּרוּ חֲמִשִּׁים יוֹם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם מִנְחָה חֲדָשָׁה לַיהוָה׃

Transliteration:

Ad mimmacharat haShabbat hashvi'it tisperu chamishim yom vehiqravtem minchah chadashah l'Adonai.

English Translation:

"Until the day after the seventh Sabbath you shall count fifty days, and you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD."


Grammatical Analysis:

1️⃣7️⃣ Leviticus 23:17 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

מִמּוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם תָּבִיאוּ לֶחֶם תְּנוּפָה שְׁתַּיִם שְׁנֵי עֶשְׂרֹנִים סֹלֶת תִּהְיֶינָה חָמֵץ תֵּאָפֶינָה בִּכּוּרִים לַיהוָה׃

Transliteration:

Mimmoshvoteychem tavi'u lechem tenufah shtayim shnei esronim solet tihyenah chametz te'afena bikkurim l'Adonai.

English Translation:

"You shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven, as firstfruits to the LORD."


Grammatical Analysis:

1️⃣8️⃣ Leviticus 23:18 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם עַל־הַלֶּחֶם שִׁבְעַת כְּבָשִׂים תְּמִימִם בְּנֵי־שָׁנָה וּפַר בֶּן־בָּקָר אֶחָד וְאֵילִם שְׁנָיִם יִהְיוּ עֹלָה לַיהוָה וּמִנְחָתָם וְנִסְכֵּיהֶם אִשֵּׁה רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ לַיהוָה׃

Transliteration:

V'hiqravtem al-ha'lechem shiv'at kvasim temimim b'nei-shanah ufar ben-bakar echad v'eilim shnayim yihyu olah l'Adonai uminchatam v'niskeihem isheh reiach nichoach l'Adonai.

English Translation:

"You shall present with the bread seven lambs a year old without blemish, one young bull, and two rams; they shall be a burnt offering to the LORD, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD."


Grammatical Analysis:

1️⃣9️⃣ Leviticus 23:19 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וְעָשִׂיתֶם שְׂעִיר עִזִּים אֶחָד לְחַטָּאת וּשְׁנֵי כְבָשִׂים בְּנֵי שָׁנָה לְזֶבַח שְׁלָמִים׃

Transliteration:

V'asitem se'ir izzim echad l'chattat ushnei kvasim b'nei shanah l'zevach shelamiym.

English Translation:

"And you shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings."


Grammatical Analysis:

2️⃣0️⃣ Leviticus 23:20 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וְהֵנִיף הַכֹּהֵן אֹתָם עַל לֶחֶם הַבִּכּוּרִים תְּנוּפָה לִפְנֵי יְהוָה עַל שְׁנֵי כְבָשִׂים קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיוּ לַיהוָה לַכֹּהֵן׃

Transliteration:

Vehenif hakohen otam al lechem habikkurim tenufah lifnei Adonai al shnei kvasim kodesh yihyu l'Adonai lakohen.

English Translation:

"The priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs; they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest."


Grammatical Analysis:

2️⃣1️⃣ Leviticus 23:21 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וּקְרָאתֶם בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם כָּל־מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ חֻקַּת עוֹלָם בְּכֹל מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם׃

Transliteration:

U'kra'tem b'etzem hayom hazeh mikra-kodesh yihyeh lachem kol-melachet avodah lo ta'asu chukat olam b'chol moshvoteychem l'doroteychem.

English Translation:

"And you shall make a proclamation on the same day. You shall hold a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations."

Note: This verse specifically describes the Moed known as Shabbaton. In particular, this verse explains the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). 


Grammatical Analysis:

2️⃣2️⃣ Leviticus 23:22 (Hebrew and English Translation with Grammatical Analysis)


Hebrew:

וּבְקֻצְרְכֶם אֶת־קְצִיר אַרְצְכֶם לֹא תְכַלֶּה פְּאַת שָׂדְךָ בְּקֻצְרֶךָ וְלֶקֶט קְצִירְךָ לֹא תְלַקֵּט לֶעָנִי וְלַגֵּר תַּעֲזֹב אֹתָם אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם׃

Transliteration:

U'v'kutzr'chem et-k'tzir artz'chem lo t'chaleh p'at sad'cha b'kutzrecha v'leket k'tzir'cha lo t'lakeit l'ani v'la'ger ta'azov otam ani Adonai Eloheichem.

English Translation:

"And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field to its very edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God."


Grammatical Analysis:

To be continued ...