The first - fruit; the cake made from the first dough of the new harvest, which the Israelites were required to offer to the Lord, before they ate of it. See Numbers 15:20.

Be holy; consecrated to God.

The lump; the whole mass of dough from which the offering was taken.

The root; of the tree. The first-fruit of the dough and the root of the tree here represent the patriarchs of the Israelitish nation, who received the irrevocable promises made to Abraham and his seed. Their reception by God, as a peculiar people consecrated to his service, is a pledge that he will not finally cast off the nation sprung from them. Their present rejection is temporary, and not final.

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Old Testament