What was the first crop Israel harvested in Palestine, and when did it come?
The first crop Israel harvested in Palestine was the barley harvest. It came shortly after the Passover. This barley harvest is tied to the Feast of Firstfruits, the third of the seven feasts of Jehovah, as described in Leviticus chapter 23.
Les explains that to understand Paul's term "firstfruits" in the New Testament, you must go back to the Old Testament, specifically Leviticus chapter 23 and the seven feasts of Jehovah. Israel was an agrarian nation, and as they progressed through the year, they came to the barley harvest, the first crop harvested in Palestine, shortly after Passover. This connects to the third feast, the Feast of Firstfruits, where they brought a sheaf of the harvest.
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: