Romans 11:16 - Exposition

And if the firstfruit be holy, so also is the lump; and if the root be holy, so also are the branches . By the firstfruit and the root is signified the original stock of Israel, the patriarchs; by the lump and the branches, the subsequent nation through all time. The word ἀπαρχή , being here connected with φύραμα , may be understood as referring to Numbers 15:19-22 . The people are there enjoined to take of the first dough ( φύραμα ) kneaded after harvest a cake for a heave offering, called ἀπαρχή φυράματος ( LXX .). This consecrated ἀπαρχή sanctified the whole φύραμα .