Pentecost
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Pentecost in the Bible?
The Feast of Weeks, known as Pentecost, was a major Jewish pilgrimage festival observed fifty days after the Passover offering of the firstfruits. It marked the conclusion of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest, characterized by the presentation of two leavened loaves of bread to the Lord. Over time, the festival acquired additional historical significance as a commemoration of the covenant established at Mount Sinai.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Pentecost as a harvest festival and a commemoration of the Law provides essential context for interpreting the events in Acts 2, where the descent of the Holy Spirit coincides with the festival, symbolizing the establishment of a new covenant community.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Pentecost in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pentecost clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.