FIRST FRUITS

FIRST FRUITS (primitiae), among the Hebrews, were
oblations of part of the fruits of the harvest, offered
to God as an acknowledgment of his sovereign domi-
nion. The first of these fruits was offered in the name
of the whole nation, being either two loaves of bread,
or a sheaf of barley which was thrashed in the court
of the temple. Every private person was obliged to
bring his first fruits to the temple; and these consisted
of wheat, barley, grapes, figs, apricots, olives, and
dates.

There was another sort of first fruits which were
paid to God. When bread was kneaded in a family,
a portion of it was set apart and given to the priest
or Levite who dwelt in the place; if there was no priest
or Levite there, it was cast into the oven, and consumed
by the fire. These offerings made a considerable part
of the revenues of the Hebrew priesthood.

First Fruits are frequently mentioned in ancient Chi-
ristian writers as one part of the church revenue. One
of the councils of Carthage enjoins, that they should

confist only of grapes and corn; which shows, that this
was the practice of the African church. First Fruits.

FIRST FRUITS in the church of England, are the
profits of every spiritual benefice for the first year,
according to the valuation thereof in the king's
books.