Counting The Omer
Part of the Appointed Times which God has commanded includes what is called the “Counting of the Omer.” After giving instructions about the celebration of the festival of Unleavened Bread, God gives the following commandments: “You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD” (Leviticus 23:15-16). Here we see that the people of Israel were commanded to count fifty days from the day after the first day of Passover, which was a special sabbath, until Pentecost (Shavuot). In fact, the reason we call this day Pentecost in the Church is because it is translated from the Greek word for “fiftieth.” This period of counting serves to connect the times of Passover, which symbolizes redemption from slavery, and Shavuot, which symbolizes taking on the yoke of the Kingdom of God.
The day of Pentecost holds great significance for believers in Yeshua (Jesus) because of the events which are recorded in Acts 2. You may be aware that Pentecost and the Biblical Appointed Time of Shavuot are one and the same, and yet the Church celebrates Pentecost on a different day than Judaism does. Why is this? It is because the Church began using the Roman calendar instead of the religious calendar which was used in Judaism. The months of the Biblical calendar are determined by the lunar cycle (Numbers 10:10), and the various civil calendars which arose out of Rome did not align with this method.
The phrase “counting of the omer” is not found in the Bible, but the phrase has been used to more easily refer to this period of counting which we introduced in the first paragraph. So what is an omer, and what does it have to do with this time of counting? Reading through the Old Testament, you will see many references to the omer. It was a unit of measurement used for measuring various dry goods, particularly grain. In the days of the temple, an omer of grain would be offered on this first day of the omer, and thus the name was derived.
So why should believers in Yeshua count along with this schedule? First of all, it connects the times of Passover (when Yeshua was crucified), First Fruits (when Yeshua was resurrected), and Shavuot (when the Holy Spirit was given). While the Church celebrates these things on its own, their greatest value is recognized when observed through the Jewish lens which it was originally lived out in. God commanded this countdown to be observed, and so it must have some meaning. We see that this time connects Passover and Shavuot on the physical level, which should make us contemplate their spiritual connection. Yeshua’s last days on earth took place during this time, and we can glean great value from remembering these times during the actual times when they took place over two-thousand years ago, relying on the religious calendar which was in use at that time and continues to be used today in Judaism.
So how can you observe this time? While there is no explanation contained in the Bible about how this counting is to be done, there are a few traditional observances which prove to be spiritually beneficial and suitable for the believer in Yeshua to practice. The button above will take you to a calendar which we have put together to guide you in counting the omer. Each day, say, “Today is the _ day of the Omer.” Then, read the Scripture which accompanies the day. Notable days have also been highlighted on the calendar.
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Tweet this!
I would like to see the bible verses for the counting of Omer
Leviticus 23:15-16, You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete Sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord. Acts 1:3-5 mentions 40 days because it was the 40th day of the Omer and 10 days later it was Pentecost. “To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” You begin counting the Omer on the Resurrection day. This year the Biblical day of Pentecost is June 12 because the Biblical day of crucifixion was on April 22 which was Passover. Yeshua died on Passover and so Resurrection was April 24th. If you would like to count the Omer it’s on our website. https://judeochristianclarion.com/special-teachings/counting-the-omer/ Thanks for your question.
I want to participate in God’s Appoinyed Times as a Messianic Gentile believer. I have joined a Jewish Messianic Congregation and attend regularly; I have just joined their Hebrew class. However, I am conflicted about staying with my Baptist Church yet wanting to break away to be fully committed to my new Jewish community. I so want to learn more about the Jewish side of Yeshua. I believe the Lord has drawn me here. But what do I do about my Baptist Church? It is confusing and frustrating to stay because they do not follow the Appointed Times,” that is Old Testament and we are not required to follow that.”, one Pastor told me. This makes me feel incomplete in wanting to follow Jesus and be obedient to God’s commands. Please help me figure this out. Thank you. I really appreciate your mission and ministry. Thank you for what you are doing.
Hello Martha,
Many people feel like you, but you have to decide if you are going to live by God’s Word or by man-made times like Christmas and Easter. We have a series called the Sins of our Forefathers. You will see that the Emperor Constantine changed dates and times and names and many others who brought in pagan ideas. Is this not what it says about the antichrist? As far as your Baptist church, I’m sure you have many friends. You can keep the 7th day Sabbath and still go see your friends on Sunday or keep in touch some other way. Who knows, you may even win some over. Keep reading what’s on our website and may God bless you!
Yeshua/Jesus gave us as gentle people only Two Commandments the first instruction to love your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your might and the second is just like the first to love our neighbor as we love our selves if we do these things we fulfilled all the law of Moses and the Prophets just listen to your heart and believe in the faith of salvation.
Robert, if that was all there is, then why do we have the whole of the Bible. There is soooo much to the word LOVE. It takes all of God’s Word to show us only a glimpse of what LOVE truly is. Let’s start by dying to ourselves. Let’s start by laying down our live for another. Let’s start by seeking God for His will in our lives. There is so many ways to begin to learn about true love, but they all begin with GOD. How did He love? He created in love. He sent His Son in love. He gave us His commandments in love. Did you know that there are 613 commandments in the Hebrew Scriptures and 1050 in the Apostolic Scriptures. All of them showing us the way to love God and man! It’s not all that simple because we must continually grow in love and only God can show us the way!
Love your website and articles! But the ONLY way one can arrive at Pentecost according to the Word “You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath” is if one STARTS on the WEEKLY Sabbath during Unleavened Bread, NOT the Day after the High Sabbath which begins UB.
Hello Lance, the first day of the Omer begins on the day of Resurrection. Yeshua died on the day of Passover, every year the day is different, but not the date. According to the Biblical Calander, which the Jewish people use, this would be the 14th day of Nisan, on the 15th day of Nisan, which falls on a different day every year, just like Passover and much like your birthday does. This day is a Sabbath, no matter what day it falls on. This brings us to the 16th day of Nisan, which is the day of the Resurrection of Messiah. Agian it fall on a different day ever year. This is Biblical! The church does not use the Biblical calander and so they have the same day for everything ever year. But that is why God has His appointed times spelled out very clearly in His Word, because they are His appointed times, not man’s. This brings you to the day of Pentecost, known as Shavuot. All Biblical, all correct. There is Not much time to follow the Omer this year, but you can find it on our website. God Bless You!
Do you have a 2026 count down of the Omer printable?
Yes, Shailene. It can find it on the front page of our website.