the season for gathering grain or fruit. On the 16th day of Abib (or April) a handful of ripe ears of corn was offered as a first-fruit before the Lord, and immediately after this the harvest commenced ( Leviticus 23:9-14 ; 2 Sam Leviticus 21:9 Leviticus 21:10 ; Ruth 2:23 ). It began with the feast of Passover and ended with Pentecost, thus lasting for seven weeks ( Exodus 23:16 ). The harvest was a season of joy ( Psalms 126:1-6 ; Isaiah 9:3 ). This word is used figuratively Matthew 9:37 ; 13:30 ; Luke 10:2 ; John 4:35 . (See AGRICULTURE .)

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.