The 7 Biblical Feasts & Holy Convocations

Passover commemorates the night God struck the firstborn of Egypt and passed over the homes of the Israelites marked with lamb's blood. It is the foundational feast of redemption — pointing prophetically to Yeshua (Jesus) as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7).

The seven-day feast immediately following Passover during which no leaven is eaten. Leaven in Scripture symbolizes sin and corruption. Eating unleavened bread pictures walking in holiness and sincerity (1 Cor 5:8). Prophetically, this feast points to the sinless body of the Messiah who was buried on the first day (Nisan 15).

Firstfruits was celebrated the day after the weekly Sabbath during Unleavened Bread, marking the beginning of the barley harvest. A sheaf of the first grain was waved before the LORD. Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 15:20 that "Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" — Yeshua rose on the exact day of this feast!

Shavuot (50 days after Firstfruits) celebrates the wheat harvest and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Prophetically, it was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples in Jerusalem (Acts 2), exactly 50 days after Messiah's resurrection — writing the Law on hearts instead of stone (Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3).

Yom Teruah, the "Day of Shouting/Blasting," marks the beginning of the civil new year and opens a ten-day period of repentance (Yamim Noraim — Days of Awe). The shofar (ram's horn) is sounded 100 times. Prophetically, many scholars believe this feast foreshadows the return of Messiah with "the trumpet call of God" (1 Thess 4:16; Matthew 24:31; 1 Cor 15:52).

The holiest day on the Hebrew calendar — a day of fasting, prayer, and deep repentance. The High Priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year to sprinkle blood on the Mercy Seat for the people's sins. The "scapegoat" carried Israel's sins into the wilderness (Lev 16). Prophetically, Yom Kippur points to Yeshua as the ultimate High Priest whose sacrifice atoned for all sin once and for all (Hebrews 9–10).

Sukkot is a seven-day harvest festival where Israel dwells in temporary booths (sukkot) to remember the forty years in the wilderness. It is the most joyous feast, called "the Season of Our Joy." Prophetically, many believe Yeshua was born during Sukkot — "the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us" (John 1:14). It also foreshadows the Millennial Kingdom when all nations will celebrate this feast (Zechariah 14:16).

Purim celebrates the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to exterminate them, as recorded in the Book of Esther. Queen Esther courageously went before the king, and Mordecai exposed the plot. Haman and his sons were hanged. The name "Purim" comes from the lots (purim) Haman cast to choose the day of their destruction.

Hanukkah ("Dedication") celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BCE, after it was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes. The miracle of holy oil burning for eight days is commemorated by lighting the Hanukkiah (9-branched menorah). Yeshua was in the Temple during Hanukkah (John 10:22-23), proclaiming Himself as the Shepherd of Israel and the Light of the World.