he casts the basket down from his shoulder, and keeps silent while the priest waves it hither and thither at the southwest corner of the altar. The whole passage of Scripture being then recited as far as the tenth verse, he places the basket before the altar—he worships—and goes out. The baskets of the rich were of gold or silver. The baskets of the poor were of peeled willow. These latter, together with their contents, were presented to the priests in service. The more valuable baskets were returned to their owners. They used to hang turtle doves and young pigeons round their baskets, which were adorned with flowers. These were sacrificed for burnt offerings. The parties who brought the first fruits were obliged to lodge in Jerusalem all the night after they brought them, and the next morning they were allowed to return home. The first fruits were forbidden to be offered before the feast of Pentecost, and after the feast of Dedication. 31 Ps. lxviii. 26. 32 Lest it be a blessing used on Mount Gerizim. 33 Deut. vi. 5. 34 Ruth ii. 4. 35 Judges vi. 12. 36 Prov. xxiii. 22. 37 Psalm cxix. 126. 38 It has been a subject of dispute when the Sabbatical year began—whether in Nisan or Tishri. The weight of evidence is, however, in favor of the civil New Year’s Day, which fell in Tishri (September). 39 An Italian mina perhaps; a denarius. If so, the heap would be worth about £1 17s. 6d. 40 Exod. xxxiv. 21. 41 Lev. xxiii. 10. The omer or “wave sheaf” at the Passover, and the two wave loaves, at Pentecost, were to be made from grain grown in the field during the Sabbatical year. It was also allowed to till sufficient land to pay taxes. 42 Lev. xix. 23-25. 43 Grain or corn field. 44 With a pointed instrument covered with oil. 45 Linseed. 46 Rain-field means a field irrigated with rain water. 47 Some suppose the meaning to be, the permission to sprinkle with water a “white” or corn field in which the gourds are growing. 48 The word translated “fertility” means literally “sweetness.” Some apply these words to the dung out of which the moisture has “dried out,” and it is then only reckoned as earth. Others apply them to the ground which has lost its fertility (sweetness) for want of rain (Job xxi. 33). The meaning is that no advantage must be gained from it in the approaching Sabbatical year. 49 About thirty-six and one-half gallons. _ 50 I.e._, Stones lying on the top of other stones. 51 The removal of stones “touching” the earth might loosen it, and become a kind of cultivation. _ 52 I.e._, From the outside of the boundary wall, as in like manner his ears of corn might be plucked. An answer to envious remarks that he was preparing for cultivation (Jer. Tal.).