What are Leviathan and Behemoth in the Bible?

 

What are Leviathan and Behemoth? I’ve heard many people say they were large African animals like an elephant or a hippo, or that they could have been dinosaurs. Although valiant in their determination to know the truth, I reason Leviathan and Behemoth are neither of the two but are unique to the rest of creation. As with all my teachings, we will delve into the scriptures to explore what they have to say about these two legendary creatures. I will be using three sources not found in your regular canon of scripture, but regarded as canonical in some biblical texts, one of which I have covered in "Ripped from the Bible" (1 Enoch).

How the Bible Defines Both Creatures 

 We’ll start with the passages found in Job, which provide the most detailed description of both creatures. 

“See now, Behĕmoth, which I made along with you – he eats grass like an ox. See now, his strength is in his loins, and his power is in his stomach muscles. He bends his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. His bones are like tubes of bronze, his ribs like bars of iron. He is the beginning of the ways of Ěl. His Maker brings near His sword. For the mountains yield food for him, and all the beasts of the field play there. He lies under the slender trees, under cover of reed and swamp. The slender trees cover him with their shade; the willows by the stream surround him. See, if a river rages, he is not alarmed; he feels safe, even if the Yardĕn (Jordan) gushes into his mouth, Before his eyes, shall he be caught, with snares? Or his nose pierced?” (Job 40:15-24)

Most, in general, will say this is a description of a hippopotamus, but how many hippos do you know of that have tails like a cedar tree? There is one thing in this passage that I do not understand, which is Behemoth being first in the ways of YHWH, maybe he was the first creature created? If you have any thoughts on what this could mean feel free to leave a comment down below. 

“Would you draw out Liwiathan (Leviathan) with a hook, or snare his tongue with a line which you lower? Would you put a cord through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook? Would he keep on pleading with you? Would he speak softly to you? Would he make a covenant with you to be taken as a servant forever? Would you play with him as with a bird? Or leash him for your young girls? Would trading partners bargain over him? Would they divide him among the merchants? Fill his skin with harpoons? Or his head with fishing spears? Put your hand on him – think of the struggle! Do not do it again! See, any expectation of him is disappointed – he is laid low even at the sight of him! No one is so foolhardy to wake him up. Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has given to Me first, that I should repay him – under all the heavens that is Mine? I would not keep silent concerning his limbs, or his mighty power, or his fair frame. Who shall take off the surface of his skin? Who approaches him with a double bridle? Who shall open the doors of his face, with his frightening teeth all around? Rows of scales are his pride – closed up, a binding seal. One to the other they fit closely, not even a breath enters between them. They are joined one to another, they stick together and are not separated. His sneezings flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go firebrands – sparks of fire shoot out. Out of his nostrils comes smoke, like a boiling pot or kettle. His breath sets coals on fire, and a flame goes out of his mouth. Strength dwells in his neck, and fear leaps before him. The folds of his flesh cleave together. They are firm on him, immovable. His heart is as hard as stone, even as hard as the lower millstone. When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid. Because of his crashings they are bewildered. No sword that reaches him does prevail, neither spear, dart, or lance. He reckons iron as straw, bronze as rotten wood. The arrow does not make him flee, sling-stones become like stubble to him. Clubs are reckoned as straw, he laughs at the rattle of a lance. His undersides are like sharp potsherds. He sprawls on the mud like a threshing-sledge. He makes the deep boil like a pot, he makes the sea like a pot of ointment. He leaves a shining path behind him. One would think the deep to be grey-haired. No one on earth is like him – one made without fear. He sees all that is haughty. He is sovereign over all the sons of pride.” (Job 41: 1-34)

“Here is the sea, great and wide, In which are innumerable swarms, Living creatures, small with great. There do ships go; That Liwiathan (Leviathan) which You made, to play there.” (Psalm 104:25-26)

The only thing I’m not sure of is the last sentence, where it says he is the king of all the sons of pride. What could this mean? Interesting and worth further research. Again, many will try to rationalize that the Leviathan is a crocodile or something of the like, but I ask, how many crocodiles do you know of that have impenetrable scales, breathe fire, have eyes like the sun, when they sneeze a flash of light comes forth, and when they move the sea becomes choppy? If Leviathan sounds to you like a giant sea dragon, well, you’re right, and Elohim is going to slay the mighty beast.

“You divided the sea by Your might; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters. You broke the heads of Liwiathan (Leviathan) in pieces, You made him food for the people Living in the wilderness.” (Psalm 74:13-14) 

It also seems to have multiple heads, as if this dragon wasn’t intimidating enough already.

Separating the Two Beast 

In the book of Enoch, we get a little more information on these two impressive creatures.

“And on that day two monsters will be separated from one another, a female monster whose name is Leviathan, to dwell in the depths of the sea, above the springs of the waters. And the name of the male is Behemoth who occupies with his breast an immense desert named Dendayn on the east of the Garden where the chosen and the righteous dwell. Where my great-grandfather was received, who was seventh from Adam, the first man whom the Lord of Spirits made. And I asked that other Angel to show me the power of those monsters, how they were separated on one day, and thrown, one into the depths of the sea and the other on to the dry ground of the desert. And he said to me: “Son of man, you here wish to know what is secret.” (Enoch 60:7-10)

Why is Leviathan depicted as female here and in other texts as a male? Where is this desert called Dendayn (features of this desert in the next passage)? I’m not sure but maybe we’re not meant to know, just like the angel said it’s a secret. 

The Stature of Leviathan and Behemoth 

To get a better idea of how massive these creatures are we’ll have to look in 2 Esdras.

“On the fifth day you commanded the seventh part, where the water had been gathered together, to bring forth living creatures, birds, and fishes; and so it was done. The dumb and lifeless water produced living creatures, as it was commanded, so that therefore the nations might declare your wondrous works. “Then you kept in existence two living creatures; the one you called Behemoth and the name of the other Leviathan. And you separated one from the other, for the seventh part where the water had been gathered together could not hold them both. And you gave Behemoth one of the parts that had been dried up on the third day, to live in it, where there are a thousand mountains; but to Leviathan you gave the seventh part, the watery part; and you have kept them to be eaten by whom you wish, and when you wish.” (2 Esdras 6:47-52)

Both monsters were created on the 5th day of creation, and they are so ginormous that the oceans cannot contain them both! Imagine that if you can. Where is the place of a thousand mountains that now holds the Behemoth? Perhaps another secret that we will have to wait to find out. 

Food for the Masses?

What’s more shocking, however, is that these beasts have a part to play in the last of days. King David referenced this in Psalms 74:13-14 when he said Leviathan will be made food.

“And He answered and said unto me: 'Whatever will then befall (will befall) the whole earth; therefore, all who live will experience (them). For at that time I will protect only those who are found in those self-same days in this land. And it shall come to pass when all is accomplished that was to come to pass in those parts, that the Messiah shall then begin to be revealed. And Behemoth shall be revealed from his place and Leviathan shall ascend from the sea, those two great monsters which I created on the fifth day of creation, and shall have kept until that time; and then they shall be for food for all that are left.” (2 Burch 29:1-4)

“And the angel of peace who was with me said to me, “These two monsters are prepared for the great day of YHWH when they shall turn into food.” (1 Enoch 60:24)

On the great day of YHWH, both Leviathan and Behemoth will be brought forth from their hiding places and become food for those who are left. Yes, both animals are clean. If you remember in the scriptures from Job, the Behemoth chews the cud like an ox and the Leviathan has scales.

“Whatever has a split hoof completely divided, chewing the cud, among the beasts, that you do eat.” (Leviticus 11:3)

“These you do eat of all that are in the waters: any one that has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas or in the rivers, that you do eat.” (Leviticus 11:9) 

I firmly believe that scripture makes it very clear that Leviathan and Behemoth are not African animals and are not dinosaurs (which may be a hoax), but are special, singular creatures. I know this may sound too fantastical and unbelievable, but given Biblical Cosmology and Nephilim, is it really that hard to believe? 

As always, test all things, including this teaching. I pray the Holy Spirit guides you into truth. 

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.   

Drawing a Line in the Sand: Ture vs False Disciples

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ideacreamanuelapps/3541399009

I believe it is time to draw a line in the sand between those who follow our Messiah Yeshua and those who don’t. Many times, I see Christians still living according to the flesh, and it is with a heavy heart that I believe the population of true disciples to be extremely low. I grew up in the church, and until about three years ago, I continued to attend Sunday worship. It wasn’t till after I left and began studying the scriptures for myself that I saw the error of Christianity. For many churches preach a false and strange doctrine, it is knowing this that I know I can never return, and nothing will deter me in following the instructions of YHWH, also known as the Torah. 

Who is True and Who is False?

How does the Bible tell us who the true and false disciples are? Our King Yeshua had this to say.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens. “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’ “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Yeshua makes it clear that even those who cast out demons or perform miraculous wonders, or even call upon his name if they practice lawlessness, then they are false disciples. 

What is lawlessness?

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4)

“What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7)

Sin is transgressing the Torah, plain and simple. I don’t need theological doctrines to give me a convoluted description of what sin is. The Bible tells me it’s breaking the Torah. 

Paul Kept the Torah

I know many will go to the books of Paul to say the Torah is done away with, but Paul lived according to the law.

“And when we had arrived in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), the brothers received us gladly. And on the following day Sha’ul (Paul) went in with us to Ya‛aqoḇ (James), and all the elders came. And having greeted them, he was relating one by one what Elohim had done among the nations through his service. And when they heard it, they praised the Master. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Yehuḏim (Jews) there are who have believed, and all are ardent for the Torah, “But they have been informed about you that you teach all the Yehuḏim (Jews) who are among the nations to forsake Mosheh (Moses), saying not to circumcise the children nor to walk according to the practices. “What then is it? They shall certainly hear that you have come. “So do this, what we say to you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be cleansed with them, and pay their expenses so that they shave their heads. And all shall know that what they have been informed about you is not so, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Torah. “But concerning the nations who believe, we have written and decided that they should keep themselves from what is offered to idols, and blood, and what is strangled, and whoring.” Then Sha’ul (Paul) took the men on the next day, and having been cleansed with them, went into the Set-apart Place to announce the completion of the days of separation – until the offering should be presented for each one of them.” (Acts 21:17-26)

Start with Little and Slowly Add

To understand why James listed those four commandments, see my post titled, "Acts 15". Some may argue that the Gentiles were not instructed to obey the law, but to adhere to certain rules; this has to do with being a child in the spirit vs. being an adult in the spirit. They started off with a piece of the Torah, and slowly, as they grew spiritually, more was revealed. We don’t expect children to work a 9-to-5 and pay rent, do we? But they grow and mature; it is the same in the spirit. Here is an example from the Bible. 

“concerning whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For indeed, although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first elements of the Words of Elohim. And you have become such as need milk and not solid food. For everyone partaking of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature whose senses have been trained by practice to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5: 11-14)

Peter’s Warning 

Furthermore, Peter gives us a warning that lawless people would twist the writings of Paul.

“So then, beloved ones, looking forward to this, do your utmost to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and reckon the patience of our Master as deliverance, as also our beloved brother Sha’ul (Paul) wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, as also in all his letters, speaking in them concerning these matters, in which some are hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the other Scriptures. You, then, beloved ones, being forewarned, watch, lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the delusion of the lawless, but grow in the favor and knowledge of our Master and Savior יהושע Messiah. To Him be the esteem both now and to a day that abides. Amĕn.” (2 Peter 3:14-18)

Not only would it be incorrect to say Paul taught against the law, but it would also make him least in the Kingdom of YHWH, and that is extremely unlikely.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to complete. For truly, I say to you, till the heaven and the earth pass away, one yod or one tittle shall by no means pass from the Torah till all be done. “Whoever, then, breaks one of the least of these commands, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the reign of the heavens; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens.” (Matthew 5:17-19)

If you Love Messiah, Keep the Commandments 

Do you love our Messiah Yeshua and our Elohim YHWH? If you do, then you should be keeping his commands.

“If you love Me, you shall guard My commands.” (John 14:15) 

“For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy,” (1 John 5:3)

“He who possesses My commands and guards them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21) 

“And the one guarding His commands stays in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He stays in us, by the Spirit which He gave us.” (1 John 3:24) 

The Torah is not a burden, I don’t care how many Ph.Ds tell you it is, the Bible tells us it's not. If we are to be true disciples, we need to walk as our King Yeshua did, and we all know he kept the Torah. 

“Become imitators of me, as I also am of Messiah.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

“And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands. The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. The one who says he stays in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.” (1 John 2:3-7)

If you say you are a follower of Yeshua but you’re not keeping his commands, then you are a liar and the truth is not in you. 

Favor is not a Permit to Sin

We are saved by favor through faith; Torah alone cannot save us, only Yeshua can. But that does not mean we go on sinning. 

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under Torah but under favor? Let it not be! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants for obedience, you are servants of the one whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?” (Romans 6:15-16) 

“For not the hearers of the Torah are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the doers of the Torah shall be declared right.” (Romans 2:13)

“Do we then nullify the Torah through the belief? Let it not be! On the contrary, we establish the Torah.” (Romans 3:31) 

Keeping the Torah is in vain if you do not believe in Yeshua, you must believe in the Messiah and walk as he walked.

Belief without Works is Dead

I think James really spells it out for us on how having faith in Yeshua and keeping the Torah work together in perfect harmony. 

“So also belief, if it does not have works, is in itself dead. But someone might say, “You have belief, and I have works.” Show me your belief without your works, and I shall show you my belief by my works. You believe that Elohim is one. You do well. The demons also believe – and shudder! But do you wish to know, O foolish man, that the belief without the works is dead? Was not Abraham our father declared right by works when he offered Yitsḥaq (Isaac) his son on the slaughter-place? Do you see that the belief was working with his works, and by the works the belief was perfected? And the Scripture was filled which says, “Abraham believed Elohim, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.” And He called him, “he who loves Elohim.” You see, then, that a man is declared right by works, and not by belief alone. In the same way, was not Raḥaḇ the whore also declared right by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also the belief is dead without the works.” (James 2:17-26)

How Favor and Obedience go Hand in Hand 

Allow me to tell you a story. A man comes to the walls of a great nation; he cannot climb over the wall, dig under the wall, fly over the wall, or go through the wall. No amount of effort he puts forth will be enough for him to enter the kingdom of his own doing. The only way he can get inside is by accepting the sovereign rule of the king. Once he becomes a part of the kingdom, he is expected to abide by the laws of the nation. We are the man outside the walls, and there is absolutely nothing we could do to get into the kingdom. The king is Yeshua, through him and only him do we get admitted into the nation of Israel. The laws we are supposed to keep is the Torah. 

Continue to test all things, even this teaching, and stay vigilant in your studies. May the Rauch Hakodesh guide you into all truth. 

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.

 

The True Origins Behind Christmas

 

I know this is a family favorite holiday and will be most difficult to drop for most people. I know I, for one, greatly enjoyed Christmas growing up. But knowing what I know now, I can no longer participate in a pagan holiday, even if the Catholic Church “Christianized” the holiday. I know many will say, “But that’s not what Christmas means to me; it's about Jesus’ birth.” Well, I hope after reading this post and the post, “Understanding the Mo'edim: The Biblical Holy Days Given By YHWH” you will see the error of such thinking.

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, book, chapter, and verse for where it states we should honor that holiday? Can’t find it? Okay, case closed. This should be sufficient reason not to participate in the pagan holiday, but I know more evidence is necessary to convince the masses. 

The Origins of Christmas 

“December 25 is referred to in documents as Christmas Day in A.D. 324 for the first time. Under the Roman emperor Justinian [A.D. 527-565] it was recognized as an official holiday. An old Roman festival played a major part in the choice of this particular day. December 25 in ancient Rome was the 'Dies Natali Invictus,' 'the birthday of the unconquered,' the day of the winter solstice and at the same time, in Rome, the last day of the Saturnalia, which had long since degenerated into a week of unbridled carnival...” (The Bible as History, p. 331, by Werner Keller)

The Romans celebrated the birthday of the “unconquered” one on December 25, and no it was not Yeshua the Messiah but the Sun god. 

“In Rome, the divinity of the Sun came very early on; and then, centuries afterwards, in the superb dome of Hadrian's Pantheon, the central opening, surrounded by star-like rosettes, represented the solar orb...Before long, the emperor Aurelian established a massive temple of the Unconquerable Sun as the central and focal point of the entire religious system of the state (274). The birthday of the god was to be on December 25, and this, transformed into Christmas day, was one of the heritages that Christianity owed to his cult.” (History of Rome, p. 391- 392, by Michael Grant) 

If you read my post titled, “The Truth About the Sabbath Day: What It Is and What We Should Do”, then you will remember that Emperor Constantine was a “Christian” who still worshiped the Sun god. This is why he wanted the day of rest moved to Sunday; he, along with the Catholic church, “moved” the Sabbath to Sunday. It seems something similar happened here, perhaps wanting to honor both YHWH and the Sun god, Constantine, through the Catholic Church “Christianized” Saturnalia. This idea is supported by the following, 

“In the 3rd century, the Roman Empire, which at the time had not adopted Christianity, celebrated the rebirth of the Unconquered Sun (Sol Invictus) on December 25th. This holiday not only marked the return of longer days after the winter solstice but also followed the popular Roman festival called the Saturnalia (during which people feasted and exchanged gifts). It was also the birthday of the Indo-European deity Mithra, a god of light and loyalty whose cult was at the time growing popular among Roman soldiers. The church in Rome began formally celebrating Christmas on December 25 in 336, during the reign of the emperor Constantine. As Constantine had made Christianity the effective religion of the empire, some have speculated that choosing this date had the political motive of weakening the established pagan celebrations. The date was not widely accepted in the Eastern Empire, where January 6 had been favored, for another half-century, and Christmas did not become a major Christian festival until the 9th century.” (Why Is Christmas in December, by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica) 

This lines up perfectly with the first quote, that Christmas didn’t show until around 324, during the reign of Constantine, but wasn’t made an official holiday of the Empire till centuries later. Regarding Constantine’s act of making Christianity the official Roman religion, one historian had this to say. 

“The services of worship increased in splendor, but were less spiritual and hearty than those of former times. The forms and ceremonies of paganism gradually crept into the worship. Some of the old heathen feasts became church festivals with change of name and worship.” (The Story of the Christian Church, p. 79, by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut) 

The Church Adopting Pagan Customs  

This wasn’t the only pagan holiday accepted by the Church, and it made it a custom to adopt pagan celebrations and then in turn “Christianize” them. 

“Pope Gregory the Great, who, in a letter written in 601 C.E. to a Christian missionary in Britain, recommended that local pagan temples not be destroyed but be converted into churches, and that pagan festivals be celebrated as feasts of Christian martyrs.” (How December 25 Became Christmas, by Andrew McGowan)

“Pope Gregory the Great proposed for English converts of the seventh century a policy of toleration, suggesting that some of the existing customs of the pagan English could be accommodated in a new Christian society.” (Bede, Gregory, and Strategies of Conversion in Anglo-Saxon England and the Spanish New World, by Lesley Abrams)

What Bible says about Pagan Customs 

I do not believe the Church has the power to “Christianize” pagan holidays, but what does the Bible say about such matters? 

“Guard yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire about their mighty ones, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their mighty ones? And let me do so too.’ “Do not do so to יהוה your Elohim, for every abomination which יהוה hates they have done to their mighty ones, for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their mighty ones.” (Deuteronomy 12:30-31)

“I have hated, I have despised your festivals, and I am not pleased with your assemblies. “Though you offer Me ascending offerings and your grain offerings, I do not accept them, nor do I look on your fattened peace offerings. “Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I do not hear the sound of your stringed instruments.” (Amos 5:21-23)

“Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘I am יהוה your Elohim. ‘Do not do as they do in the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt), where you dwelt. And do not do as they do in the land of Kena‛an (Canaan), where I am bringing you, and do not walk in their laws. ‘Do My right-rulings and guard My laws, to walk in them. I am יהוה your Elohim.” (Leviticus 18:2-4)

Seems pretty clear that we are not to worship YHWH in the same manner as the pagans. He gave us holidays to honor called the Mo’edim. Check out “Understanding the Mo'edim: The Biblical Holy Days Given By YHWH” for what they are and how we are to celebrate them. 

I Choose to Follow Messiah

I know it will be hard for many to break away from this pagan holiday, for it has successfully entangled itself in Christianity, and for those of us in America, our country. I’m thankful that after seeing the truth, it was easy for my wife and me to forget the ways of the pagan and follow our Messiah in observing the Mo’edim. 

As always, don’t believe a word I say and test all things, may the Rauch Hakodesh guide you into all truths.

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.

Understanding the Mo'edim: The Biblical Holy Days Given By YHWH

 

The Mo’edim are the appointed times YHWH gave to Israel. (If you are a believer in Yeshua you have been grafted into Israel.) They are not Jewish holidays; they are Biblical holidays and serve a profound purpose. It may come as a shocker to many of you, but Christmas and Easter are not a part of the Mo’edim; they are pagan in origin and still are, regardless of what the Church says. We do not have the authority to “Christianize” pagan holidays, even though the Catholic Church believes it does. That’s like saying we have the power to “Christianize” adultery, theft, lying, stealing, murdering, and so on.

What does YHWH think about our holidays like Christmas and Easter? Holidays derived from pagan religions. 

“I have hated, I have despised your festivals, and I am not pleased with your assemblies. “Though you offer Me ascending offerings and your grain offerings, I do not accept them, nor do I look on your fattened peace offerings. “Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I do not hear the sound of your stringed instruments.” (Amos 5:21-23) 

He hates them plain and simple; he doesn’t want anything to do with pagan holidays. Even if it is in His name, even if we sing songs to Him, He will not listen. With that in mind, let’s learn what His appointed times are and what we should do on those days. 

Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Firstfruits 

“These are the appointed times of יהוה, set-apart gatherings which you are to proclaim at their appointed times. ‘In the first new moon, on the fourteenth day of the new moon, between the evenings, is the Pĕsaḥ (Passover) to יהוה. ‘And on the fifteenth day of this new moon is the Festival of Matzot (unleavened bread) to יהוה – seven days you eat unleavened bread. ‘On the first day you have a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work. ‘And you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה for seven days. On the seventh day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work.’ ”And יהוה spoke to Mosheh (Moses), saying, “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel), and you shall say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest. ‘And he shall wave the sheaf before יהוה, for your acceptance. On the morrow after the Sabbath the priest waves it. ‘And on that day when you wave the sheaf, you shall prepare a male lamb a year old, a perfect one, as an ascending offering to יהוה, and its grain offering: two-tenths of an ĕphah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to יהוה, a sweet fragrance, and its drink offering: one-fourth of a hin of wine. ‘And you do not eat bread or roasted grain or fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your Elohim – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” (Leviticus 23:4-14)

Passover is symbolic for two reasons, from the Old Testament we remember when the Israelites spread lambs’ blood over their doorpost so that YHWH would not strike down any of Israel’s firstborn. From the New Testament, we remember Yeshua’s sacrifice, for he was crucified on Passover, dying for our sins (transgression of the Torah). 

The day after Passover is when unleavened bread begins, it is a 7-day festival and on day 1 we have a holy convocation or a gathering of the faithful and a Sabbath rest. On the last day, we again have a gathering of the faithful, or as we’ve come to know it “church”, and a Sabbath rest. During this whole week, we are to eat unleavened bread, which is bread that hasn’t risen. We are to do this in remembrance of when YHWH brought the Israelites out of Egypt. After the crucifixion of Yeshua, he was in the grave for unleavened bread, again this is bread that hasn’t risen. Then there is Firstfruits, the actions to be done on this day are supposed to be done by a Levitical priest and the offerings have been taking care of by our King and Messiah Yeshua. On this day we remember when YHWH brought the Israelites into the promised land. It is also a day of looking forward to, for Yeshua rose on Firstfruits, as he is the first fruit of the resurrection! 

“Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the entire lump? Therefore cleanse out the old leaven, so that you are a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Pĕsaḥ (Passover) was slaughtered for us. So then let us celebrate the festival, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8) 

In this chapter, Paul is addressing sexual immorality that was among the body of believers, and he instructs them to throw away their sin (leaven) and to walk according to the Spirit. He also tells them to celebrate the festival of unleavened bread. Paul kept the Torah and the Mo’edim, and we are to imitate him as he imitated Yeshua. 

“But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, and has become the first-fruit of those having fallen asleep. For since death is through a man, resurrection of the dead is also through a Man. For as all die in Adam, so also all shall be made alive in Messiah. And each in his own order: Messiah the first-fruits, then those who are of Messiah at His coming,” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)

Here we see that indeed Yeshua is the Firstfruits of the resurrection. 

Feast of Weeks/ Pentecost

“And the priest shall wave them, besides the bread of the first-fruits, as a wave offering before יהוה, besides the two lambs. They are set-apart to יהוה for the priest. ‘And on this same day you shall proclaim a set-apart gathering for yourselves, you do no servile work on it – a law forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.” (Leviticus 23:20-21) 

On Pentecost, which takes place 50 days after FirstFruits, we are to gather with other believers and worship the Most High (holy convocation) and to have a Sabbath rest. It is a time to remember when YHWH gave us the Torah and when the Rauch Hakodesh descended upon the believers In the Brit Hadashah (New Testament). 

“And see, I am sending the Promise of My Father upon you, but you are to remain in the city of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

“And suddenly there came a sound from the heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and settled on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Set-apart (Holy) Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak.” (Acts 2:2-4)

Yeshua fulfilled the first festivals to the T, he died on Passover, was in the grave for Unleavened Bread, and rose with FirstFruits. Then the Holy Spirit descends upon the followers of Yeshua on Pentecost. Now, these next festivals have yet to be fulfilled and I can’t wait for the day when they are. 

Day of Trumpets 

“Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel), saying, ‘In the seventh new moon, on the first day of the new moon, you have a rest, a remembrance of Teru‛ah (trumpets), ‘You do no servile work, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה.” (Leviticus 23:24-25) 

On this day we have a holy convocation, Sabbath rest, and we are to blow trumpets. I believe this will be fulfilled when the gathering of the elect happens because each time it’s mentioned in the Bible it is accompanied by the blast of a trumpet. 

“And immediately after the distress of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give its light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Adam shall appear in the heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn, and they shall see the Son of Adam coming on the clouds of the heaven with power and much esteem. And He shall send His messengers with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31) 

“Because the Master Himself shall come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of a chief messenger, and with the trumpet of Elohim, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. Then we, the living who are left over, shall be caught away together with them in the clouds to meet the Master in the air – and so we shall always be with the Master. So, then, encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Day of Atonement 

“On the tenth day of this seventh new moon is Yom haKippurim (Day of Atonement). It shall be a set-apart gathering for you. And you shall afflict your beings, and shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. “And you do no work on that same day, for it is Yom Kippurim (Day of Atonement), to make atonement for you before יהוה your Elohim. “For any being who is not afflicted on that same day, he shall be cut off from his people. “And any being who does any work on that same day, that being I shall destroy from the midst of his people. “You do no work – a law forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. ‘It is a Sabbath of rest to you, and you shall afflict your beings. On the ninth day of the new moon at evening, from evening to evening, you observe your Sabbath.” (Leviticus 23:27-32)

On this day we have our holy convocation, Sabbath rest, and we are to afflict ourselves. Many take this to be fasting or humbling ourselves. I believe this could be fulfilled on the Day of Judgment but at this moment I’m not completely sure. 

Feast of Tabernacles 

“Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel), saying, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh new moon is the Festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) for seven days to יהוה. ‘On the first day is a set-apart gathering, you do no servile work. ‘For seven days you bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. On the eighth day there shall be a set-apart gathering for you, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה. It is a closing festival, you do no servile work. ‘These are the appointed times of יהוה which you proclaim as set-apart gatherings, to bring an offering made by fire to יהוה, an ascending offering and a grain offering, a slaughtering and drink offerings, as commanded for every day – besides the Sabbaths of יהוה, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your voluntary offerings which you give to יהוה. ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh new moon, when you gather in the fruit of the land, celebrate the festival of יהוה for seven days. On the first day is a rest, and on the eighth day a rest. ‘And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of good trees, branches of palm trees, twigs of leafy trees, and willows of the stream, and shall rejoice before יהוה your Elohim for seven days. ‘And you shall celebrate it as a festival to יהוה for seven days in the year – a law forever in your generations. Celebrate it in the seventh new moon. ‘Dwell in booths for seven days; all who are native born in Yisra’ĕl (Israel) dwell in booths, so that your generations know that I made the children of Yisra’ĕl (Israel) dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt). I am יהוה your Elohim.” (Leviticus 23:34-43)

This is an 8-day festival. On day one, we have a holy convocation and a Sabbath rest, and on the last day, another holy convocation and Sabbath rest. For Sukkot, we are also to dwell in temporary shelters, such as tents. I know many assemblies that will go camping together for the week of Sukkot.  This festival is not only about remembrance, but also about us looking forward to when YHWH will once again tabernacle amongst us! 

“And I saw a renewed heaven and a renewed earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. And I, Yoḥanan (John) , saw the set-apart city, renewed Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), coming down out of the heaven from Elohim, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the heaven saying, “See, the Booth of Elohim is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and Elohim Himself shall be with them and be their Elohim. “And Elohim shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying. And there shall be no more pain, for the former matters have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4) 

What a time to come! Now that you have the meaning behind the Biblical appointed times or the Mo’edim, are you going to continue celebrating those pagan holidays? I hope you don’t, and I hope you see the significance of the Mo’edim and just how special they are.

Test all things and may the Rauch Hakodesh guide you into all truth.

P.S.

Check out some of my books! Available in both print and Kindle versions.