The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:11
Rejoice before the Lord. "The expression, to rejoice before the Lord , denotes here nothing else than to honor him by sacred songs; comp. Spencer, 'De Legg. Hebrews Ritual.,' p. 881, edit. 3". In the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there ; rather, shall choose , as in verse 15. read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:9-17
The Feasts of Weeks and of Tabernacles. For the moral improvement of the Hebrews, it was desirable to keep alive among them the recollection of their early history. Prior to the invention of printing, and when written records would be scarce, memory and affection and conscience were impressed by the annual festivals. The Passover commemorated the national birth; the Feast of Tabernacles commemorated the tent life of the desert. The joys of harvest and of vintage were things unknown in the... read more