Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, is a significant biblical festival that originates from the Hebrew Scriptures. Celebrated 50 days after Passover, Shavuot marks both an agricultural feast of harvest in ancient Israel and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Understanding Shavuot involves exploring various biblical passages that shed light on its significance as a time of renewal, thanksgiving, and spiritual revelation.
Bible Verses about Shavuot
1. Exodus 23:16 – Festival of Harvest
“Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.” – Exodus 23:16
Cross-References
Leviticus 23:10 – “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest.'””
Deuteronomy 16:9-10 – “Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain. Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you.”
2. Acts 2:1 – The Coming of the Holy Spirit
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” – Acts 2:1
Cross-References
John 14:26 – “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Acts 1:5 – “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 24:49 – “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
3. Deuteronomy 16:16 – Pilgrimage Festivals
“Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles.” – Deuteronomy 16:16
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 31:10-11 – “Then Moses commanded them: ‘At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing.'”
2 Chronicles 8:13 – “According to the daily requirement for offerings commanded by Moses for the Sabbaths, the New Moons and the three annual festivals—the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles.”
4. Leviticus 23:15-16 – Count the Weeks
“From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD.” – Leviticus 23:15-16
Cross-References
Numbers 28:27 – “Present a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old as an aroma pleasing to the LORD.”
Leviticus 23:20 – “The priest is to wave the two lambs before the LORD as a wave offering, together with the bread of the firstfruits. They are a sacred offering to the LORD for the priest.”
5. Ruth 1:22 – Arrival in Bethlehem at the Start of Harvest
“So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.” – Ruth 1:22
Cross-References
Ruth 2:23 – “So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.”
Ruth 2:3 – “So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.”
Ruth 3:17 – “And added, ‘He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, “Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.”‘”
6. 2 Chronicles 15:10 – Gathering at Jerusalem
“They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign.” – 2 Chronicles 15:10
Cross-References
2 Chronicles 15:12 – “They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.”
2 Chronicles 30:26 – “There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah 8:2 – “So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.”
7. Acts 20:16 – Paul’s Journey
“Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.” – Acts 20:16
Cross-References
Acts 18:21 – “But as he left, he promised, ‘I will come back if it is God’s will.’ Then he set sail from Ephesus.”
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 – “But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”
Romans 15:25 – “Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there.”
8. Exodus 19:1 – Arrival at Mount Sinai
“On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai.” – Exodus 19:1
Cross-References
Exodus 19:11 – “And be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.”
Exodus 23:14-17 – “Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering.”
9. Numbers 28:26 – Offerings at the Festival
“On the day of firstfruits, when you present to the LORD an offering of new grain during the Festival of Weeks, hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.” – Numbers 28:26
Cross-References
Leviticus 23:17 – “From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 16:10 – “Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you.”
10. Exodus 34:22 – The Festival of Weeks
“Celebrate the Festival of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the year.” – Exodus 34:22
Cross-References
Jeremiah 5:24 – “They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.'”
11. Isaiah 9:3 – Joy in the Harvest
“You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.” – Isaiah 9:3
Cross-References
Isaiah 16:10 – “Joy and gladness are taken away from the orchards; no one sings or shouts in the vineyards; no one treads out wine at the presses, for I have put an end to the shouting.”
Jeremiah 31:12 – “They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD—the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.”
Psalm 126:5-6 – “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
12. Psalm 67:6 – The Earth Yields Its Harvest
“The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.” – Psalm 67:6
Cross-References
Psalm 85:12 – “The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.”
Leviticus 26:4 – “I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.”
Deuteronomy 28:12 – “The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”
13. Nehemiah 8:18 – Reading the Book of the Law
“Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.” – Nehemiah 8:18
Cross-References
Nehemiah 8:3 – “He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.”
Nehemiah 8:8 – “They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.”
2 Kings 23:2 – “He went up to the temple of the LORD with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the LORD.”
14. Daniel 9:27 – The Seventy ‘Sevens’
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” – Daniel 9:27
Cross-References
Daniel 12:11 – “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.”
Matthew 24:15 – “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—”
Mark 13:14 – “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
15. Romans 8:23 – Firstfruits of the Spirit
“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” – Romans 8:23
Cross-References
James 1:18 – “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
2 Corinthians 5:5 – “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Ephesians 1:14 – “Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
16. Joel 3:13 – The Harvest is Ripe
“Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow—so great is their wickedness!” – Joel 3:13
Cross-References
Matthew 9:37-38 – “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'”
John 4:35 – “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
17. 1 Corinthians 16:8 – Staying until Pentecost
“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” – 1 Corinthians 16:8
Cross-References
Acts 19:10 – “This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 2:12 – “Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me,”
Colossians 4:3 – “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”
18. Galatians 5:22 – The Fruit of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” – Galatians 5:22
Cross-References
John 15:1-2 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
James 3:17 – “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Philippians 1:11 – “Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
19. Revelation 14:15 – The Harvest of the Earth
“Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, ‘Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’” – Revelation 14:15
Cross-References
Matthew 13:39 – “And the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.”
Mark 4:29 – “As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Isaiah 63:3 – “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.”
20. Revelation 7:9 – A Multitude from Every Nation
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” – Revelation 7:9
Cross-References
Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Isaiah 2:2 – “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.”
Romans 14:11 – “It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'”
21. 1 Corinthians 15:20 – The Firstfruits of Those Who Have Fallen Asleep
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” – 1 Corinthians 15:20
Cross-References
1 Thessalonians 4:14 – “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
Colossians 1:18 – “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”
Hebrews 9:28 – “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
22. Ephesians 1:13-14 – The Seal of the Holy Spirit
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 1:22 – “Set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
Acts 19:2 – “And asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.'”
23. Acts 4:31 – Filled with the Holy Spirit
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” – Acts 4:31
Cross-References
Acts 2:4 – “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
Acts 13:52 – “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
24. Isaiah 44:3 – Pouring Spirit on Offspring
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” – Isaiah 44:3
Cross-References
Joel 2:28-29 – “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
Ezekiel 39:29 – “I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
Zechariah 12:10 – “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced.”
25. Isaiah 49:6 – A Light to the Gentiles
“He says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’” – Isaiah 49:6
Cross-References
Acts 13:47 – “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'”
Luke 2:32 – “A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
26. Zechariah 4:6 – Not by Might nor by Power
“So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” – Zechariah 4:6
Cross-References
Isaiah 11:2 – “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD.”
Micah 3:8 – “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.”
1 Corinthians 2:4 – “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”
27. Ezekiel 36:27 – Putting My Spirit Within You
“And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” – Ezekiel 36:27
Cross-References
Ezekiel 37:14 – “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.”
Jeremiah 31:33 – “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the LORD. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Hebrews 8:10 – “This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
28. 2 Corinthians 3:17 – Freedom in the Spirit
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17
Cross-References
Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Romans 8:2 – “Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
29. 1 Peter 1:12 – The Holy Spirit Sent from Heaven
“It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.” – 1 Peter 1:12
Cross-References
John 15:26 – “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.”
Acts 10:44 – “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.”
Romans 8:26 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
30. John 16:13 – The Spirit of Truth
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13
Cross-References
John 14:17 – “The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
1 John 4:6 – “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.”
1 Corinthians 2:10 – “These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”
31. Galatians 3:14 – The Blessing of Abraham
“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” – Galatians 3:14
Cross-References
Genesis 22:18 – “And through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Romans 4:16 – “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
32. Romans 12:2 – Renewing of Your Mind
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Final Thoughts
Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks, presents both agricultural and spiritual dimensions within the biblical narrative. The festival celebrates the bounty of the earth and symbolizes the arrival of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Across the Old and New Testaments, themes of firstfruits, spiritual harvest, and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment signify renewing the covenant and receiving divine guidance. Observance of Shavuot deepens one’s understanding of God’s provision and purpose.
With Christians and Jews alike acknowledging the shared traditions, these biblical verses and their cross-references provide a multidimensional view of how this festival’s themes resonate throughout scripture. As believers gather to appreciate God’s harvest, both literal and metaphorical, the insights gained serve to align hearts and minds with God’s everlasting gifts of wisdom, understanding, and redemption.