Sheaf

SHEAF. The Day after the Feast of the Lev. xxiii. 10,11,12.Passover they brought a Sheaf into the Temple, as the First-fruits of the Barley-harvest; and these are the Ceremonies that were then perform’d: On the fifteenth of the Month Nisan, in the Evening, when the Feast of the first Day of the Passover was ended,¹ and the second Day was begun, which was a Working-day; the House of Judgment deputed three Men to go in Solemnity and gather the Sheaf of Barley. The Inhabitants of the neighbouring Cities came together, to be present at the Ceremony. The Barley was gather’d in the Territory of Jerusalem. The Deputies demanded, three times together, if the Sun was set; and were as often answer’d, that it was. Afterwards they demanded three times, if they might have Leave to cut the Sheaf; and Leave was as often granted. They reap’d it out of three different Fields with three different Sicles, and put the Ears into three Boxes, to carry them to the Temple.

When the Sheaf, or rather the three Sheaves, were in the Temple, they were thresh’d in the Court; and of the Grain that came out, they took a full Omer, that is, about three Pints: After it had been well winnow’d, parch’d, and bruised, they sprinkled over it a Log of Oil, that is, near a Pint.

They added to it an Handful of Incense; and the Priest that receiv’d this Offering shook it before the Lord, towards the four Quarters of the World cross-wise; he cast part of it upon the Altar, and the rest was his own. After this, every one might begin their Harvest.

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