Deuteronomy 16:13-15

(3) TABERNACLES (Deuteronomy 16:13-15)

13 Thou shalt keep the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy winepress: 14 and thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates, 15 Seven days shalt thou keep a feast unto Jehovah thy God in the place which Jehovah thy God will bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the work of thy hands, and thou shalt be altogether joyful.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 16:13-15

283.

What was the purpose of the feast of Tabernacles?

284.

Read: Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:33-36; Numbers 29:12-16 to help in your understanding of this feast.

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 16:13-15

13 You shall observe the feast of tabernacles or booths seven days, after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and wine vat.
14 You shall rejoice in your feast, you, your son and daughter, your manservant and maidservant, the Levite, the transient and the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, that are within your towns.
15 Seven days you shall keep a solemn feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses; because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce, and in all the works of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.

COMMENT 16:13-15

Also called the feasts of booths, and ingathering. See Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:33-36; Leviticus 23:39-44; Numbers 29:12-16. It was on the 15th day of the 7th month, the month Tisri (our Sept.-Oct.). At this time they gathered in the fruits of the land (Leviticus 23:39). The word Tabernacles (from the Heb. sukkah or succoth)[33] is translated booths in most of the recent versions as this word more aptly describes the homes of the Israelites during the week this festival was being celebrated. It was camp meetin-' time, and a memorial service to their camping days as they came out of Egypt, as well as a Thanksgiving Day for the recent harvest.

[33] Gesenius says of this word: a booth, a cot, made of leaves and branches interwoven. He would render the phrase, the feast of tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13) the feast of booths and branches.

AND THOU SHALT BE ALTOGETHER JOYFUL (Deuteronomy 16:15)This probably was Israel's most festive and joyous feast.