The Feasts of the LORD

Mo'adim — the appointed times of Leviticus 23, their biblical observance, and their fulfillment in Messiah.

In Leviticus 23:2 the LORD calls these days "my appointed feasts" — in Hebrew mo'adim, "set times" or "appointments." They are not merely Jewish customs but divine appointments built into the calendar of redemption. Paul calls them "a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ" (Colossians 2:17).

The seven feasts fall in two clusters. The four spring feasts — Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Pentecost — were fulfilled at Christ's first coming, in the order given, often to the very day. The three fall feasts — Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles — point ahead to His return, the final judgment, and the millennial kingdom.

Dates are reckoned by the Hebrew lunisolar calendar, which is why their place on the Gregorian calendar shifts each year. Hebrew days begin at sunset the evening before the date listed.

The Seven Feasts

1. Passover Pesach — פֶסַח Nisan 14

The lamb without blemish was slain at twilight, its blood placed on the doorposts so that the destroyer would pass over Israel in Egypt.

Instituted: Exodus 12:1–28; Leviticus 23:5; Numbers 28:16
Observance: Lamb roasted whole, eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs; no bone broken (Ex 12:46).
NT fulfillment: Christ our Passover sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7); crucified at the very hour the Passover lambs were slain (John 19:14); not a bone broken (John 19:36).

2. Unleavened Bread Chag HaMatzot — חַג הַמַּצּוֹת Nisan 15–21

Seven days of bread without leaven, a holy convocation on the first and seventh days. Leaven pictures sin and corruption.

Instituted: Exodus 12:15–20; Leviticus 23:6–8
Observance: All leaven removed from the house; no servile work on day 1 and day 7.
NT fulfillment: Christ's sinless body lay in the tomb during these days; believers are to "purge out the old leaven" and keep the feast in sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:7–8).

3. Firstfruits Yom HaBikkurim — יוֹם הַבִּכּוּרִים Day after Sabbath of Unleavened Bread

The priest waved a sheaf of the first-ripened barley before the LORD, the pledge of the full harvest to come.

Instituted: Leviticus 23:9–14
Observance: Wave sheaf offering with a lamb, grain, and drink offering; no new grain eaten until this offering was made.
NT fulfillment: "Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20–23). He rose on the morning after the Sabbath.

4. Pentecost (Weeks) Shavuot — שָׁבֻוּעוֹת 50 days after Firstfruits (Sivan 6)

Counted as seven sabbaths plus a day — the fiftieth day. Two loaves of leavened wheat bread were waved as the new meal offering, and Israel rejoiced in the wheat harvest.

Instituted: Leviticus 23:15–22; Deuteronomy 16:9–12
Observance: Two wave loaves baked with leaven (representing Jew and Gentile gathered into one); a holy convocation; gleanings left for the poor and stranger.
NT fulfillment: The Holy Spirit poured out on the disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4); the firstfruits of the church gathered in — about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41), echoing the three thousand who fell at Sinai when the Law was given (Exodus 32:28).

5. Trumpets Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah — יוֹם תְּרוּעָה Tishri 1

A day of solemn rest, "a memorial of blowing of trumpets" — the shofar sounded to call Israel to attention.

Instituted: Leviticus 23:23–25; Numbers 29:1–6
Observance: Holy convocation; no servile work; trumpet blasts and burnt offerings.
Prophetic picture: The trumpet of God at the resurrection and gathering of the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Matthew 24:31).

6. Day of Atonement Yom Kippur — יוֹם כִּפּוּר Tishri 10

The most solemn day of the year. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies with blood; one goat was slain, the other (the scapegoat) sent away bearing the sins of the nation.

Instituted: Leviticus 16; Leviticus 23:26–32; Numbers 29:7–11
Observance: Sabbath of solemn rest; afflict the soul (fast); any soul not afflicted on this day "shall be cut off."
NT fulfillment: Christ entered "once into the holy place... by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:11–12; Hebrews 10:1–14). Future Israel will look on Him whom they pierced and mourn (Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:26).

7. Tabernacles (Booths) Sukkot — סֻכּוֹת Tishri 15–21 (+ 22)

Seven days of dwelling in booths, remembering the wilderness pilgrimage; a feast of joy at the completion of the harvest. An eighth-day "solemn assembly" closes the cycle.

Instituted: Leviticus 23:33–43; Numbers 29:12–38; Deuteronomy 16:13–17
Observance: Live in booths of branches; offer many sacrifices; rejoice before the LORD. Water poured at the altar each day, and great lamps lit in the temple courts.
NT fulfillment: "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt [tabernacled] among us" (John 1:14). On the last great day Jesus cried, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37–39) and "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). Awaits final fulfillment when God tabernacles with men in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:3) — and all nations shall keep it (Zechariah 14:16).

Other Biblical Feasts

Purim פּוּרִים Adar 14–15

Instituted by Mordecai and Esther to commemorate Israel's deliverance from Haman's plot in Persia (Esther 9:20–32). Not commanded in the Law of Moses.

Hanukkah (Dedication) חֲנֻכָּה Kislev 25 (8 days)

The Feast of Dedication, marking the cleansing of the temple under Judas Maccabeus (167 BC). Jesus was at the temple during this feast (John 10:22–23).

Yearly Calendar

Approximate Gregorian dates for the start of each feast. Hebrew days begin at sundown the previous evening. Years are sourced from published Jewish-calendar conversions; verify against an authoritative luach for liturgical use.

2026

Spring feasts — fulfilled at Christ's first coming Fall feasts — awaiting fulfillment at His return

Calendar data covers 2024–2030. Dates use the standard Hillel II calendar; Karaite or observational reckonings may differ by a day.