Leviticus 23:24

Authorized King James Version

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Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

Original Language Analysis

דַּבֵּ֛ר Speak H1696
דַּבֵּ֛ר Speak
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 1 of 16
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
בְּנֵ֥י unto the children H1121
בְּנֵ֥י unto the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֵאמֹ֑ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֑ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ day of the month H2320
לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ day of the month
Strong's: H2320
Word #: 6 of 16
the new moon; by implication, a month
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י In the seventh H7637
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י In the seventh
Strong's: H7637
Word #: 7 of 16
seventh
בְּאֶחָ֣ד in the first H259
בְּאֶחָ֣ד in the first
Strong's: H259
Word #: 8 of 16
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ day of the month H2320
לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ day of the month
Strong's: H2320
Word #: 9 of 16
the new moon; by implication, a month
יִֽהְיֶ֤ה H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 10 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לָכֶם֙ H0
לָכֶם֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 16
שַׁבָּת֔וֹן shall ye have a sabbath H7677
שַׁבָּת֔וֹן shall ye have a sabbath
Strong's: H7677
Word #: 12 of 16
a sabbatism or special holiday
זִכְר֥וֹן a memorial H2146
זִכְר֥וֹן a memorial
Strong's: H2146
Word #: 13 of 16
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
תְּרוּעָ֖ה of blowing H8643
תְּרוּעָ֖ה of blowing
Strong's: H8643
Word #: 14 of 16
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
מִקְרָא convocation H4744
מִקְרָא convocation
Strong's: H4744
Word #: 15 of 16
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
קֹֽדֶשׁ׃ of trumpets an holy H6944
קֹֽדֶשׁ׃ of trumpets an holy
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 16 of 16
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

Analysis & Commentary

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

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

The central theme of Leviticus is God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy. The Hebrew word qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means 'set apart' or 'sacred,' emphasizing both separation from sin and consecration to God's purposes.
The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

Historical 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 tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Questions for Reflection

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