Numbers 15:20 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.

A cake of the first of your dough, х chalaah (H2471)] - a cake (2 Samuel 6:19) especially as offered in sacrifices (Leviticus 8:26; Leviticus 24:5). This law respecting chalaah was scrupulously obeyed; and it is still one of the only three mazowt duties which, according to rabbinical law, a woman has to perform. 'Though the Jews have neither temple nor priest, yet they strictly observe the offering of the first of their dough of the special loaves which they take for the Sabbath. These loaves are therefore commonly called and known by the name of chalaah. Since the mother of the family kneads the dough for the Sabbath loaves always herself, she breaks off a piece as soon as it is ready, and says the following benediction: "Blessed art thou, O Lord, King of the universe, who hast sanctified with thy commands, and hast commanded us to separate the chalaah." The, piece so separated is then thrown into the fire.' The apostle Paul doubtless refers to this observance, Romans 11:16.

Heave offering of the threshing-floor - meaning the grain on the threshing-floor, i:e., after harvest.

So shall ye heave it - to the priests, accompanying the ceremony with the same rites.

Numbers 15:20

20 Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.