Leviticus 23

Jehovah

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Leviticus 23:2–3

The feasts and the Sabbath belong to Jehovah, the premortal Christ. In mortality Jesus called Himself Lord of the Sabbath.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

Passover Lamb

In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’s passover. Leviticus 23:5–8

The Passover remembered the lamb whose blood saved Israel from death. Paul says plainly that "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us," and Jesus suffered and died at Passover time.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 — "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast ... with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
• fulfilled by Luke 22:15-16 — "With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer ... I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

Resurrection (Christ the firstfruits)

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: Leviticus 23:10–14

The first sheaf of the harvest was lifted before the LORD on the day after the Sabbath, promising the whole harvest to come. Jesus rose on the first day of the week, the day after the Sabbath, as "the firstfruits of them that slept," promising resurrection to all.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in 1 Corinthians 15:20 — "Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."
• a type of what is in 2 Nephi 2:8-9 — The Messiah is "the first that should rise" and "the firstfruits unto God."
• a type of what is in Mark 16:9 — Jesus "was risen early the first day of the week" — the morrow after the sabbath.

Pentecost (Feast of Weeks)

Pentecost — "fiftieth" (day)

Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. Leviticus 23:16–19

Fifty days after the firstfruits came a new offering with sin and peace offerings. Fifty days after Christ's Resurrection, on this very feast, the risen and exalted Jesus poured out the Holy Ghost on His disciples.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in Acts 2:32-33 — The exalted Jesus "hath shed forth this" gift of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost (2:1).

Day of Atonement

Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. Leviticus 23:27–32

Once a year the high priest made atonement for the whole nation. Hebrews teaches that Christ is the true High Priest who entered the holy place once, by His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• the same event in Leviticus 16:29-30 — The full Day of Atonement ritual, with the same tenth day of the seventh month.
• interpreted by Hebrews 9:11-12 — Christ, high priest, entered "by his own blood ... once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption."
• a type of what is in Romans 5:11 — "Our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

Millennial reign (Feast of Tabernacles)

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. Leviticus 23:34–42

Israel rejoiced before the LORD with palm branches, remembering how He sheltered them in booths. Zechariah foresaw the nations keeping this feast to worship "the King, the LORD of hosts" - Christ in His millennial reign; Jesus Himself kept this feast and there invited the thirsty to come to Him (John 7:2, 37).

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by Zechariah 14:16 — The nations go up "to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles."

Jehovah

That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 23:43

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, is the One who sheltered Israel in the wilderness after bringing them out of Egypt.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by D&C 136:22 — "I am he who led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt."