The Harvests Of Yisra'el In Their Seasons
The Spring Harvests
These crops ripen in the spring, usually around the first month, Abib.
Barley and wheat were planted in the autumn of the previous year, and ripened the following spring. Barley ripened earlier than wheat, and would've been the grain used for the Pesach, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the First Fruits, and the Wave Sheaf Offering.
Barley and wheat were planted in the autumn of the previous year, and ripened the following spring. Barley ripened earlier than wheat, and would've been the grain used for the Pesach, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the First Fruits, and the Wave Sheaf Offering.
Wheat, along with oats, matured after barley; towards the end of Abib, to the end of the Second Month. Peas, lentils, and vetch continued to mature and be harvested at this time also.
This harvest may've occurred a little later, depending on climate, soil conditions, and the amount of regional rainfall.
The Second Month
This harvest may've occurred a little later, depending on climate, soil conditions, and the amount of regional rainfall.
The Second Month
The Summer Harvests
Most of this harvest consisted of grapes, olives, dates, figs, pomegranates, seeds and vegetables; although vegetables factored less in the ancient Hebrew diet.
Grapes were the first to ripen during the summer season; usually beginning in the 3rd Month, and possibly overlapping with grain threshing, if the spring grain yield was abundant. The grape harvest was usually complete before Cukkot in the Seventh Month.
Grapes were the first to ripen during the summer season; usually beginning in the 3rd Month, and possibly overlapping with grain threshing, if the spring grain yield was abundant. The grape harvest was usually complete before Cukkot in the Seventh Month.
The Third Month
The Fourth Month
The Fifth Month
It is a little known fact that there is a Second Harvest of Wheat, occurring at the very end of the Fourth Month, or at the beginning of the Fifth Month; depending again on the climate conditions of the year. It is this 'New Grain' offering of the Second Wheat Harvest that is associated with the true timing of Shavu'ot; which occurs on the First Day, of the Fifth Month (Rosh Chodesh); or on the True New Moon Day. Shavu'ot/Pentecost: Pente(root) = Numerical Prefix '5', or 5TH Month Shavu'ot, The Feast Of Weeks
The olive harvest began before Sukkot, but usually continued until well after the fall feasts.
The Sixth Month
The Autumn Harvests
The autumn harvests occurred just in time for the Feast Of Cukkot. It was at the time of this harvest, that the Yisraelites were instructed to build sukkahs, live in them for eight days; and to rejoice greatly before Yahuah, in thanksgiving for the bountiful harvests He had provided. The celebration would've included the First Fruit of the oil processed from the olives, food cooked from the fruits, and vegetables, breads baked from finely ground grain; even the sukkahs would've been decorated with the fruits of all the year's harvests. It was a joyous occasion indeed.
The Seventh Month
It should be noted that the Yisraelites were given instructions on the types of trees, boughs, and branches they were to use to construct their sukkahs. They are included here to show the bountiful goodness Yahuah provided for them.
~Leviticus 23:40~
~Leviticus 23:40~
The Eighth Month
Plowing and sowing of barley and wheat began in time for the following spring harvest.
