בִּכּוּרִים (bik.kur)

bik.kur

firstfruit

H1061 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 12 verses

H:N-M

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 12 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:N-M

Word Overview

The noun bikkurim refers to the firstfruits, specifically the initial harvest of crops and fruit that were gathered and offered to God. In the Old Testament, this term is closely tied to the ritual observances described in Leviticus, Exodus, and Numbers, where it denotes the tangible beginning of the agricultural season dedicated to divine worship.

Its meaning extends beyond raw produce to include specific offerings such as the bread made from new grain presented during Pentecost. The word also identifies the festival day itself, marking a time when the community acknowledges God’s provision by presenting the earliest and best of their yield before consuming the rest of the harvest.

This practice established a rhythm of gratitude and trust, reminding Israel that the land’s bounty belonged to God first. By offering the bikkurim, the people recognized that their sustenance was a gift rather than a right, setting aside the initial portion as an act of reverence before enjoying the fullness of the season.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word bikkurim refers to the firstfruits, the initial harvest offered back to God as an act of trust and gratitude. This practice reminded ancient Israel that their land’s bounty was a gift rather than a right. By setting aside the earliest portion before enjoying the rest, they acknowledged God’s provision in their daily lives.

For your faith today, this concept invites you to view your own resources—time, talents, and finances—as gifts from God. Offering the first part of what you receive is a tangible way to prioritize spiritual values over immediate personal gain. It cultivates a heart of thankfulness, recognizing that every good thing comes from above.

When life feels uncertain, remembering that God owns the harvest can bring peace. You are not relying on your own strength alone but on the One who provides for all needs. This rhythm of giving and receiving fosters a deep sense of security and community, as the firstfruits often supported those in need within the faith.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.

[the] first-fruits of6×
first-fruits3×
the/ first-fruits2×
first-fruits/ your1×
and/ for the/ first-fruits1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

בִּכּוּרֵי֙2×
בִּכּוּרִ֖ים2×
וְ/לַ/בִּכּוּרִ֑ים1×
הַ/בִּכּוּרִ֤ים1×
הַ/בִּכּוּרִ֗ים1×
בִּכּוּרֶֽי/ךָ\׃1×
בִּכּוּרֵ֥י1×
בִּכּוּרֵ֣י1×
בִּכּוּרֵ֞י1×
בִּכּוּרֵ֖י1×
בִּכּוּרִים֙1×

Key Verses

Exodus 23:19
You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground into the house of Yahweh your God. “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

This verse establishes the command to bring the first of the first fruits into the house of Yahweh, highlighting the priority of giving God the best before personal use.
Leviticus 23:17
You shall bring out of your habitations two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two tenths of an ephah of fine flour. They shall be baked with yeast, for first fruits to Yahweh.

Here, firstfruits are specifically linked to the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) with two loaves baked with yeast, showing that even leavened offerings could be presented as holy to God.
II Kings 4:42
A man from Baal Shalishah came, and brought the man of God some bread of the first fruits: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give to the people, that they may eat.”

Elisha uses twenty loaves of firstfruits to feed a hundred people, demonstrating how God multiplies small, faithful offerings to meet greater needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does bikkurim mean in the Bible?

Bikkurim is a Hebrew noun meaning 'firstfruits.' It refers to the initial harvest of crops or fruit that were gathered and offered to God in the Old Testament. This practice was a key part of Israel’s agricultural festivals, symbolizing gratitude and trust in God’s provision.

Why were firstfruits important in ancient Israel?

Firstfruits were important because they acknowledged that God owned the land and its produce. By offering the first portion, Israelites recognized their dependence on God rather than their own labor. It was also a way to support the priests and Levites who served in the temple.

How is bikkurim different from other offerings?

While other offerings could be made at various times, firstfruits were specifically tied to the beginning of the harvest season. They represented the best and earliest part of the yield, setting them apart as a special act of dedication before the rest of the harvest was consumed.

Every Occurrence (12 verses across 5 books)

Exodus 4 verses

Exodus 23:16

And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you sow in the field; and the feast of ingathering, at…

Exodus 23:19

You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground into the house of Yahweh your God. “You shall not boil a…

Exodus 34:22

“You shall observe the feast of weeks with the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of harvest at the year’s…

Exodus 34:26

“You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground to the house of Yahweh your God. “You shall not boil a…

Leviticus 3 verses

Numbers 3 verses

II Kings 1 verse

Nehemiah 1 verse