Deuteronomy 16:8

See introd. note. The incompatibility of this v. with the preceding is obvious unless we are to explain tentsas the shelters which pilgrims to the central sanctuary pitched during the feast. But (as we have seen) tentsmeans the people's homes. The numbering of the days is not clear. If the Passover day itself is included there is no contradiction of Deuteronomy 16:3, for that was the first day of unleavened bread, and this v. may be interpreted as also fixing seven days for the eating of such bread; but distinguishing them as six plusa seventh on which in addition the solemn assembly was to be held. But if the Passover day was meant to be included it is strange that it is not mentioned. On the whole, and particularly because of the two expressions characteristic of P, a solemn assemblyand thou shalt do no work(the latter however also in Deuteronomy 5:13), it is probable that Deuteronomy 16:8 is an addition by the compiler of the two once separate laws on the Passover and the Maṣṣôth.