| Feast Name (Hebrew) | Scripture Reference (ESV) | Time of Year | Purpose / Meaning in Israel | New Testament Fulfillment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passover (Pesach) | Leviticus 23:4–5; Exodus 12:1–14 | Spring (Nisan 14) | Commemorated deliverance from Egypt by the blood of the lamb. | Fulfilled in Jesus, the Lamb of God whose blood delivers from sin (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7). |
| Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) | Leviticus 23:6–8; Exodus 12:15–20 | Spring (Nisan 15–21) | Symbolized separation from sin; leaven represented corruption. | Fulfilled in Christ’s sinless life and the believer’s call to holiness (1 Corinthians 5:8). |
| Feast of Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim) | Leviticus 23:9–14 | Spring (Nisan 16–17) | Thanksgiving for the first portion of the harvest. | Fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection — “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). |
| Feast of Weeks / Pentecost (Shavuot) | Leviticus 23:15–22; Deuteronomy 16:9–12 | Late Spring (Sivan 6) | Celebrated completion of the grain harvest; commemorated giving of the Law at Sinai. | Fulfilled when the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4), the Law written on hearts. |
| Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah / Yom Teruah) | Leviticus 23:23–25; Numbers 29:1–6 | Fall (Tishri 1) | Call to repentance and spiritual awakening; beginning of the civil new year. | Points to Christ’s return and the trumpet call of God gathering His people (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). |
| Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) | Leviticus 23:26–32; Leviticus 16 | Fall (Tishri 10) | Annual national cleansing from sin through sacrifice and fasting. | Fulfilled in Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice as our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11–14). |
| Feast of Tabernacles / Booths (Sukkot) | Leviticus 23:33–43; Deuteronomy 16:13–15 | Fall (Tishri 15–22) | Remembered God’s provision during the wilderness wanderings. | Foreshadows the coming kingdom where God dwells with His people (John 1:14; Revelation 21:3). |
Summary of Spiritual Themes
- Spring Feasts (First Coming) — Fulfilled in Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
- Fall Feasts (Second Coming) — Point to Christ’s return, judgment, and His dwelling with redeemed humanity.
- Each feast reveals the gospel pattern: Redemption → Sanctification → Resurrection → Empowerment → Repentance → Atonement → Fellowship.
Key Verse
“These are the appointed feasts of the Lord… holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them.” — Leviticus 23:4 (ESV)