Ezekiel 44:30
And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest's: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.
Original Language Analysis
וְרֵאשִׁ֤ית
And the first
H7225
וְרֵאשִׁ֤ית
And the first
Strong's:
H7225
Word #:
1 of 19
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כֹ֜ל
H3605
כֹ֜ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּרוּמ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם
of all of every sort of your oblations
H8641
תְּרוּמ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם
of all of every sort of your oblations
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
6 of 19
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
כֹּ֗ל
H3605
כֹּ֗ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִכֹּל֙
H3605
מִכֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּרוּמ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם
of all of every sort of your oblations
H8641
תְּרוּמ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם
of all of every sort of your oblations
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
9 of 19
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
לַכֹּהֵ֔ן
shall be the priest's
H3548
לַכֹּהֵ֔ן
shall be the priest's
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
10 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְרֵאשִׁ֤ית
And the first
H7225
וְרֵאשִׁ֤ית
And the first
Strong's:
H7225
Word #:
12 of 19
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
תִּתְּנ֣וּ
ye shall also give
H5414
תִּתְּנ֣וּ
ye shall also give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַכֹּהֵ֔ן
shall be the priest's
H3548
לַכֹּהֵ֔ן
shall be the priest's
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
15 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
לְהָנִ֥יחַ
to rest
H5117
לְהָנִ֥יחַ
to rest
Strong's:
H5117
Word #:
16 of 19
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:4The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.2 Chronicles 31:10And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.Exodus 13:2Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.Exodus 23:19The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.Exodus 22:29Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.Exodus 13:12That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD'S.James 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.Numbers 3:13Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.
Historical Context
Firstfruits offerings (Leviticus 23:9-14, Deuteronomy 26:1-11) began harvest seasons, dedicating the increase to God before personal use. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Israel practiced firstfruits religiously. When post-exilic Israel neglected these offerings, God rebuked them through Malachi (3:8-10). Ezekiel's vision restores firstfruits priority, demonstrating that honoring God first ensures His blessing. Jesus, 'firstfruits of resurrection' (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23), guarantees believers' resurrection.
Questions for Reflection
- What does giving 'first' (not leftovers) teach about priorities and faith?
- How does firstfruits generosity 'cause blessing to rest' in homes?
- How is Christ as 'firstfruits of resurrection' (1 Corinthians 15:20) related to firstfruits offerings?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priest's—Firstfruits: רֵאשִׁית כָּל־בִּכּוּרֵי כֹל (rēʾshît kol-bikkûrê khol, 'first of all firstfruits of all') belong to כֹּהֵן (kōhēn, 'priest'). The repetition of 'all' (כֹּל, kol—used 5 times) emphasizes totality.
Firstfruits acknowledged God's ownership of all harvests (Exodus 23:19, 34:26, Deuteronomy 26:1-11). Giving first and best demonstrated faith that God would provide the rest. Priests receiving firstfruits reinforced that God's ministers receive priority. Ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house—עֲרִיסֹתֵיכֶם (ărîsōtêkhem, 'your dough') given to priests brings בְּרָכָה (bĕrākhāh, 'blessing') to homes. Generosity to God's servants invites God's blessing—a principle Jesus affirmed (Luke 6:38).