Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Biblical Context:The term "first-fruit" refers to the initial yield of a harvest, which was offered to God as an act of worship and gratitude. This concept is deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of ancient Israel and holds significant theological and symbolic meaning throughout the Scriptures.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, the offering of first-fruits is commanded as part of the Mosaic Law. The Israelites were instructed to bring the first and best of their harvests to the Lord as an acknowledgment of His provision and sovereignty. This practice is outlined in several passages:
·
Exodus 23:19 : "Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God."
·
Leviticus 23:10-11 : "Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘When you enter the land I am giving you and reap its harvest, you are to bring to the priest a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest. And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD so that it may be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath."
The offering of first-fruits was not limited to grain but included other produce such as wine, oil, and honey (
Deuteronomy 18:4,
Nehemiah 10:35-37). This act was a tangible expression of faith, recognizing God as the source of all blessings and sustenance.
Symbolism and Theological Significance:Theologically, the first-fruits symbolize the principle of giving God the first and best of what one has. It reflects a heart of gratitude and trust in God's continued provision. The offering of first-fruits also served as a reminder of Israel's dependence on God and their covenant relationship with Him.
Moreover, the concept of first-fruits extends beyond agricultural produce. It is used metaphorically to describe the people of Israel as God's chosen and consecrated nation (
Jeremiah 2:3). The first-fruits offering was a precursor to the full harvest, symbolizing the hope and promise of future blessings.
New Testament Fulfillment:In the New Testament, the concept of first-fruits takes on a Christological dimension. Jesus Christ is referred to as the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep, signifying His resurrection as the first of many who will be raised to eternal life:
·
1 Corinthians 15:20 : "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."
This passage highlights the resurrection of Christ as the guarantee and foretaste of the believer's future resurrection. Just as the first-fruits offering was a pledge of the full harvest to come, Christ's resurrection assures believers of their own resurrection and eternal life.
Additionally, believers themselves are described as a kind of firstfruits, set apart for God:
·
James 1:18 : "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation."
This indicates that Christians, as recipients of the new birth through the Gospel, are consecrated to God and serve as a testimony to His redemptive work in the world.
Practical Implications:The principle of first-fruits continues to hold relevance for Christians today. It encourages believers to prioritize God in all aspects of life, offering Him the first and best of their time, resources, and talents. This practice serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the believer's call to live a life of worship and dedication to Him.
Greek
536. aparche -- the beginning of a sacrifice, ie thefirst fruit... the beginning of a sacrifice, ie the
first fruit. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: aparche Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ar-khay') Short Definition: the
...Strong's Hebrew
1061. bikkurim -- first fruits...first fruit ripe figuratively, hasty fruit. From bakar; the first-fruits of the
crop --
first fruit (-ripe (figuratively)), hasty fruit. see HEBREW bakar.
...7225. reshith -- beginning, chief
... From the same as ro'sh; the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically,
afirstfruit) -- beginning, chief(-est), first(-fruits, part, time), principal...
6529. peri -- fruit
... bough, firsfruit, reward. From parah; fruit (literally or figuratively) -- bough,
((first-))fruit((-ful)), reward. see HEBREW parah. 6528, 6529. peri. 6530...
Library
Support of Prophets.
... [2487] 2. So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his support.
[2488] 3. Everyfirst-fruit, therefore, of the products of wine-press and...
The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience.
... IV. The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience. If thefirst fruit is holy, so is
the lump; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.' "Rom.11:16....
Rom. xii. 1
... [1523] For sacrifice allows of no unclean thing: sacrifice is afirst-fruit
of the other actions. Let us then from our hands, and...
The Brethren of Jesus.
... And I think it in harmony with reason that Jesus was thefirst-fruit among men of
the purity which consists in chastity, and Mary among women; for it were not...
(On the Mysteries. Iii. )
... Christ is the beginning of your salvation; for He is truly theFirst-fruit, and
ye the mass [2440] ; but if theFirst-fruit be holy, it is manifest that Its...
Creation's Groans and the Saints' Sighs
... the mighty lower of God the Holy Ghost. This is called thefirst-fruit
because it comes first. As the wave-sheaf was the first of...
What Now Remains, but to Account for those which are the Crowning...
... is the terror of all mankind, and afforded a visible evidence of the reality of
that life which he had promised; presenting as it were afirst-fruit of our...
Rom. xi. 7
... So calling in this passage by the names of thefirst-fruit and root Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, the prophets, the patriarchs, all who were of note in the...
The Tests of Love to God
... garden. 1. Thefirst fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God.
He who is in love, his thoughts are ever upon the object....
From the Ascension to the Church at Antioch.
... 2. The first witnessing. Here are given 2:5-47: (1) The first witnessing,
(2) the first message, (3) thefirst fruit of the witnessing....
Thesaurus
Firstfruit (2 Occurrences)...Firstfruit (2 Occurrences). Romans 11:16 For if the
firstfruit be holy, the lump
is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. (KJV WEY ASV NIV).
...First-fruit (19 Occurrences)
First-fruit.Firstfruit,First-fruit. Firstfruits . Multi-Version Concordance...
(Root in BBE YLT).Firstfruit,First-fruit. Firstfruits . Reference Bible
Oldest (58 Occurrences)
... BBE). Genesis 49:3 Reuben, you are my oldest son, thefirst-fruit of my
strength, first in pride and first in power: (BBE). Genesis...
Lump (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Romans 11:16 If thefirstfruit is
holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches....
Wool (34 Occurrences)
... Thefirst-fruit of wool was to be offered to the priests (Deuteronomy 18:4). The
law prohibiting the wearing of a garment "of divers sorts, as of woollen and...
Epae'netus (1 Occurrence)
... Epae'netus (1 Occurrence). Romans 16:5 and the assembly at their house; salute
Epaenetus, my beloved, who isfirst-fruit of Achaia to Christ. (See RSV)....
Expecting (22 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:23 And not only 'so', but also we ourselves, having thefirst-fruit of
the Spirit, we also ourselves in ourselves do groan, adoption expecting -- the...
Ministration (33 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 16:15 And I entreat you, brethren, ye have known the household of
Stephanas, that it is thefirst-fruit of Achaia, and to the ministration to the...
Batch (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Batch (4 Occurrences). Romans 11:16 If thefirstfruit
is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches. (See NIV)....
Beholder (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 28:4 And the fading flower of the beauty of his glory That 'is' on the head
of the fat valley, Hath been as itsfirst-fruit before summer, That its...
Resources
What is the fruit of righteousness in Philippians 1:11? | GotQuestions.orgWas the forbidden fruit an apple? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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