From the first of your doughThis phrase refers to the practice of offering the first portion of dough made from the grain harvest. Biblically, the concept of "firstfruits" is significant, symbolizing the dedication of the first and best to God. This practice is rooted in the idea that all provisions come from God, and by offering the first portion, the Israelites acknowledged His sovereignty and provision. The firstfruits were a sign of gratitude and trust in God's continued provision.
you are to lift up a cake as a contribution
The act of lifting up a cake signifies a wave offering, a common practice in ancient Israelite worship. This offering was a physical act of presenting something to God, symbolizing the elevation of the offering to a higher, divine purpose. The cake, made from the first of the dough, was a tangible expression of devotion and obedience to God's commandments. This practice also served to support the Levitical priesthood, as these offerings were part of their sustenance.
offer it just like an offering from the threshing floor
The comparison to an offering from the threshing floor connects this practice to the broader system of agricultural offerings. The threshing floor was where grain was processed, and offerings from it were a common part of Israelite worship. This connection emphasizes the continuity and consistency in the types of offerings God required, whether from the field or the kitchen. It also highlights the principle that all aspects of life, from agriculture to daily sustenance, are under God's domain and should be dedicated to Him. This practice foreshadows the ultimate offering of Jesus Christ, who is often seen as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20), symbolizing the beginning of a new creation and the ultimate dedication to God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God and communicated them to the people.
2.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God who were given the law to follow as they journeyed to the Promised Land.
3.
Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
4.
Threshing FloorA place where grain was separated from the chaff, symbolizing the provision and blessing of God.
5.
OfferingA portion of the first fruits given to God as an act of worship and acknowledgment of His provision.
Teaching Points
Acknowledgment of God's ProvisionThe act of offering the first of the dough is a tangible acknowledgment of God's provision and blessings. It reminds believers to recognize God as the source of all good things in their lives.
Principle of First FruitsThe principle of first fruits teaches believers to prioritize God in their lives. By giving the first and best to God, we demonstrate trust in His continued provision.
Worship through GivingOffering the first of the dough is an act of worship. It is a way to honor God and express gratitude for His faithfulness and generosity.
Symbolism of the Threshing FloorThe threshing floor symbolizes a place of separation and preparation. In our spiritual lives, we are called to separate ourselves from sin and prepare our hearts for God's work.
Christ as the First FruitsJust as the Israelites offered the first fruits, Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection, assuring believers of their future resurrection and eternal life.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Numbers 15:20?
2.How does Numbers 15:20 emphasize the importance of offering firstfruits to God?
3.What does "offering from the first of your dough" symbolize in our lives?
4.How can we apply the principle of firstfruits in our daily routines?
5.What other scriptures highlight the significance of giving God our first and best?
6.In what ways can we prioritize God in our financial and spiritual practices?
7.What is the significance of the "first of your dough" in Numbers 15:20?
8.How does Numbers 15:20 relate to the concept of offering firstfruits to God?
9.Why was it important for Israelites to offer a cake from the first of their dough?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 15?
11.Numbers 20:1 - Why is Miriam's death recorded so briefly, with no details about her mourning or burial, unlike other prominent figures?
12.Why does Exodus 20:8-11 mandate strict Sabbath observance, yet elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Numbers 15:32-36) the penalty for Sabbath-breaking appears more severe?
13.Numbers 25:6-8: Why does God commend Phinehas for killing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman, raising moral questions about vigilante violence?
14.What does the Bible say about our lifespan?What Does Numbers 15:20 Mean
From the first of your dough• God asks for the “first” because the first portion represents the whole. By giving Him the initial measure of every batch, Israel acknowledged that every loaf ultimately came from His hand.
• This mirrorsExodus 23:19: “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your land to the house of the LORD your God,” andProverbs 3:9: “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your harvest.”
• InRomans 11:16 Paul reasons, “If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch,” showing that the principle carries forward: when the first portion is consecrated, everything that follows is set apart as well.
You are to lift up a cake• “Lift up” pictures a deliberate, visible act—raising the gift toward heaven to signify that it belongs to God.
•Leviticus 2:4 speaks of “cakes of fine flour mixed with oil,” offerings prepared in ordinary kitchens yet dedicated to the Lord.
• The action reminds worshipers that even daily bread is holy when surrendered to Him.
•Exodus 29:24 describes a similar movement with the priest’s ordination offering: “You are to place all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and to wave them before the LORD as a wave offering.” Lifting or waving demonstrates joyful surrender.
As a contribution• The word “contribution” (heave offering) signals a gift set apart for the priests and therefore for God Himself (Numbers 18:11–12).
• By offering this cake, families partnered with the sanctuary ministry, providing for those who served at the altar.
•2 Corinthians 9:13 praises believers who give generously, “they will glorify God for your obedience in your confession of the gospel,” echoing the Old Testament pattern: giving is worship.
Offer it just like an offering from the threshing floor• Grain on the threshing floor was the farmer’s livelihood. Treating home-baked bread the same way showed that sacred devotion extends beyond the field into the kitchen.
•Deuteronomy 16:13-15 links harvest festivals with rejoicing before God—every harvest moment was an occasion for gratitude.
•Leviticus 2:14 stresses presenting “heads of new grain roasted in the fire,” again tying fresh produce to immediate thanksgiving.
• The standard is consistency: what we dedicate publicly (at the threshing floor) we also dedicate privately (in the household).
summaryNumbers 15:20 directs Israel to take the first piece of every batch of dough, lift it to God, and give it as a priestly portion, just as they would present raw grain from the threshing floor. In doing so, they acknowledged God’s ownership of every meal, supported His servants, and wove worship into the fabric of daily life. The principle endures: when the Lord receives the first and best, the rest is blessed.
(20)
Of the first of your dough.--Or,
mixed meal.The word
arisothis used only in the plural number, and is found only in
Nehemiah 10:37 and
Ezekiel 44:30, besides this and the following verse.
Verse 20. -
Acake of the first of yourdough.עַרִסֹת, only used here and in the two passages which refer to this enactment (Nehemiah 10:87;
Ezekiel 44:30). It probably means whole meal coarsely ground, the first preparation of the new corn available for baking and eating. Septuagint has
ἀπαρχὴφυράματος, an expression used by St. Paul in
Romans 11:16.
As... the heave offering of the threshing floor, so shall ye heave it,i.e., the offering of bread from the home was to be made in addition to the offering of ears or grains from the threshing-floor, and in the same manner. No doubt this latter offering was a very ancient (
Genesis 4:3) and general one, but it is not clearly described in the Law (see, however,
Leviticus 2:14;
Leviticus 23:10). All these heave offerings were the perquisite of the priest.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
From the firstרֵאשִׁית֙(rê·šîṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7225:The first, in place, time, order, rankof your dough,עֲרִסֹ֣תֵכֶ֔ם(‘ă·ri·sō·ṯê·ḵem)Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6182:Perhaps coarse mealyou are to liftתָּרִ֣ימוּ(tā·rî·mū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7311:To be high actively, to rise, raiseup a cakeחַלָּ֖ה(ḥal·lāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2471:A cake (a type used in offerings)as a contribution;תְרוּמָ֑ה(ṯə·rū·māh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8641:Contribution, offering (for sacred uses)offerתָּרִ֥ימוּ(tā·rî·mū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7311:To be high actively, to rise, raiseitאֹתָֽהּ׃(’ō·ṯāh)Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative casejust likeכֵּ֖ן(kên)Adverb
Strong's 3651:So -- thusan offeringכִּתְרוּמַ֣ת(kiṯ·rū·maṯ)Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8641:Contribution, offering (for sacred uses)from the threshing floor.גֹּ֔רֶן(gō·ren)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1637:A threshing-floor, open area
Links
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OT Law: Numbers 15:20 Of the first of your dough you (Nu Num.) 
