Israel’s Spring Feasts – Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits

Our study is about the feasts that are given to Israel by God. There are seven feasts that the Lord asked the Israelites to keep in the Mosaic Law, and to be specific, in Leviticus 23. The seven feasts that God gave the Israelites are found in Leviticus 23. The feasts are: the Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and The Feast of Tabernacles.

Classification and Timing of the Feasts

These feasts can be broken up into spring and fall. In the spring there are four feasts, in the fall there are three feasts. As the draft indicates, the timing of these events is specific: Interestingly enough, the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits occur in the month of Nisan; and they all occur within three days of each other. Additionally, the feast of Pentecost is in the month of Sivan.

The Jewish Calendar System

Nisan is the first month in the Jewish calendar. The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar that is based on the rotation of the moon. This system is distinct because the Jewish, lunar calendar is technically 354 days. This explains the foundation of the calendar used for the seven official feasts of the LORD.

Summary of the Spring Cycle

The following list provides the details regarding the spring observances mentioned in the scripture:

• Passover: Occurs in the month of Nisan.
• Unleavened Bread: Occurs in the month of Nisan, within three days of the others.
• Firstfruits: Occurs in the month of Nisan.
• Pentecost: Occurs in the month of Sivan.