Leviticus 23:5-8

In these verses, the Passover, or Paschal Supper, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, are plainly spoken of as distinct feasts. See Exodus 12:6, Exodus 12:15, Exodus 12:17; Numbers 28:16.

Leviticus 23:5

See Exodus 12:6. According to the Hebrew mode of reckoning, the 15th day of the month began on the evening of the 14th. The day of holy convocation with which the Feast of Unleavened Bread commenced Leviticus 23:7 was the 15th, and that with which it terminated was the 21st. Compare Numbers 28:16.

Leviticus 23:6

Feast - The three festivals (often called the Great Festivals), Passover, Pentecost and tabernacles, to which the name חג chag, i. e. a feast or rejoicing properly belongs Leviticus 23:6, Leviticus 23:34, Leviticus 23:39, Leviticus 23:41, were distinguished by the attendance of the male Israelites at the national sanctuary (compare Exodus 23:17; Exodus 34:23; Deuteronomy 16:16). In later times they were called by the rabbins “pilgrimage feasts.” It is worthy of note that the Hebrew word is identical with the Arabic “haj”, the name of the pilgrimage to Mecca, from which comes the well-known word for a pilgrim, “haji”.

Leviticus 23:7

No servile work - literally, no work of labor, no work that belongs to one’s worldly calling, such as labor in agriculture or handicraft. The preparation of food was permitted Exodus 12:16, a licence not granted on the weekly Sabbath, or on the day of atonement Leviticus 23:28, Leviticus 23:30; Exodus 20:10; Exodus 35:3.

Leviticus 23:8

The sacrifices here meant are named in Numbers 28:19.