The Meaning of Exodus 23:16 Explained

Exodus 23:16

KJV: And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

YLT: and the Feast of Harvest, the first fruits of thy works which thou sowest in the field; and the Feast of the In-Gathering, in the outgoing of the year, in thy gathering thy works out of the field.

Darby: and the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labours which thou hast sown in the field, and the feast of in-gathering, at the end of the year, when thou gatherest in thy labours out of the field.

ASV: and the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou sowest in the field: and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year, when thou gatherest in thy labors out of the field.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the feast  of harvest,  the firstfruits  of thy labours,  which thou hast sown  in the field:  and the feast  of ingathering,  [which is] in the end  of the year,  when thou hast gathered  in thy labours  out of the field. 

What does Exodus 23:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 23:1-17 - Laws Of Conduct And Worship
We may apply these various precepts to our own hearts. Many of them breathe the very spirit of Christ. We must watch our speech, so that no man's character may suffer by our gossip or slander. We must dare to stand for the truth, though we stand absolutely alone. With all kindness and good will we must save our neighbor from damage, even though he has vented on us his spleen. It is never for us to take advantage of him; God will deal with him on our behalf, and in His own time and way. Let us not fret ourselves to do evil. David's example in refusing to injure Saul when his bitter enemy was within his reach is an inspiring example for us to follow. We must hold an even balance for just and honorable dealing with all men; and cultivate the Sabbath-keeping of the heart. In every life, also, there should be perpetual memory of Calvary, the Resurrection and Pentecost-the three feasts of the soul! [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 23

1  Of slander, false witness, and partiality
4  Of charitableness
6  Of justice in judgment
8  Of taking bribes
9  Of oppressing a stranger
10  Of the year of rest
12  Of the Sabbath
13  Of idolatry
14  Of the three feasts
18  Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice
20  An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him

What do the individual words in Exodus 23:16 mean?

And the Feast of Harvest the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field of Ingathering at the end of the year when you have gathered in - [the fruit of] your labors from the field
וְחַ֤ג הַקָּצִיר֙ בִּכּוּרֵ֣י מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּזְרַ֖ע בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה הָֽאָסִף֙ בְּצֵ֣את הַשָּׁנָ֔ה בְּאָסְפְּךָ֥ אֶֽת־ מַעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ מִן־ הַשָּׂדֶֽה

וְחַ֤ג  And  the  Feast 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חַג  
Sense: festival, feast, festival-gathering, pilgrim-feast.
הַקָּצִיר֙  of  Harvest 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: קָצִיר 
Sense: harvest, harvesting.
בִּכּוּרֵ֣י  the  firstfruits 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בִּכּוּרִים  
Sense: first-fruits.
מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָ  of  your  labors 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
תִּזְרַ֖ע  you  have  sown 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: זָרַע  
Sense: to sow, scatter seed.
בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה  in  the  field 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׂדֶה 
Sense: field, land.
הָֽאָסִף֙  of  Ingathering 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָסִיף  
Sense: ingathering, harvest.
בְּצֵ֣את  at  the  end 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
הַשָּׁנָ֔ה  of  the  year 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: שָׁנָה  
Sense: year.
בְּאָסְפְּךָ֥  when  you  have  gathered  in 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אָסַף 
Sense: to gather, receive, remove, gather in.
אֶֽת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
מַעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ  [the  fruit  of]  your  labors 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: מַעֲשֶׂה  
Sense: deed, work.
הַשָּׂדֶֽה  the  field 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׂדֶה 
Sense: field, land.