Today is Pentecost Sunday the 50th day after Easter/Passover. One of the first holidays from the Bible “Shavuoth” (in Hebrew) is translated “week” (literally, “a period of sevens”). That is why many modern translations call this holiday the Feast of Weeks.
The root, Shava, is translated as both “seven” and “oath.” Shavuoth fits both definitions. Firstly, it is the day after the seventh week after Passover, thus on the 50th day (Pentecost in Greek). Secondly, it is the day they swore an oath to learn and obey the Torah they had presently received at Mount Sinai. (more…)