(Cf. Exodus 23:17 ; Exodus 34:23 .) The law is repeated here with the additional clause, "at the place which the Lord shall choose;" and the words, "not empty," are explained to mean with gifts according to the gift of their hands, according to the blessing of Jehovah their God, which he had given them. read more
Deuteronomy 16:14-16. Thou shalt rejoice In God, and in the effects of his favour, serving and praising him with a glad heart. Shall all thy males appear before the Lord That is, from twenty to fifty years of age. The women were not obliged to be present at these solemnities; 1st, Because the weakness of their sex rendered them unable to bear so long a journey as many of them would have had to take, without more fatigue than would have been consistent with their health. 2d, Because the... read more
Three annual festivals (16:1-17)Each year all the male adults in Israel were to gather at the central place of worship for the three great annual festivals: Passover-Unleavened Bread at the beginning of the year (16:1-8; see notes on Exodus 12:1-51; Leviticus 23:4-14); Firstfruits-Weeks, or Harvest Festival, seven weeks after Passover (9-12; see notes on Leviticus 23:15-22); and Tabernacles-Ingathering, or Festival of Shelters, six months after Passover (13-17; see notes on Leviticus 23:33-44). read more
appear. See note on Exodus 23:15 , Exodus 23:17 . read more
Ver. 15. Therefore thou shalt surely rejoice— Cecrops ordained at Athens a similar law to this; commanding that masters of families should make a feast for their servants after harvest, and eat together with them who had jointly laboured in tilling the ground; for that God delighted in the honour done to servants in consideration of their labour. Macrob. Saturnal. lib. 1: cap. 10. It is probable, that Cecrops derived this law from Moses. He lived about the time of the departure of the... read more
Ver. 16. All thy males— i.e. all from twenty to fifty years old. Males only were obliged to be present on these occasions. 1. Because the weakness and infirmity of the female sex rendered them not able to bear so long a journey without great danger and fatigue. 2. Because their chastity would be exposed to many dangers in so vast a concourse of people. 3. Because the care of their families and their domestic offices must have been neglected. The chief intention of these solemnities was to keep... read more
15. in all the works of thine hands . . . rejoice—that is, praising God with a warm and elevated heart. According to Jewish tradition, no marriages were allowed to be celebrated during these great festivals, that no personal or private rejoicings might be mingled with the demonstrations of public and national gladness. read more
16. Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God—No command was laid on women to undertake the journeys, partly from regard to the natural weakness of their sex, and partly to their domestic cares. read more
The celebration of Passover, Firstfruits, and Tabernacles 16:1-17The point of connection of this section with what precedes is the sacrificial meals. Moses repeated here the instructions regarding those important feasts that included sacrificial meals that the people would eat at the tabernacle (cf. Exodus 12; Leviticus 23; Numbers 28-29).1. Passover and Unleavened Bread Deuteronomy 16:1-82. Pentecost (also called Harvest, Weeks, and Firstfruits) Deuteronomy 16:9-123. Tabernacles (also called... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 16:13-17
The Feast of Tabernacles-life a tented state. This was the third great festival, and it was after all the harvest and vintage had been gathered home. It was celebrated in the seventh month, from the fifteenth day to the twenty-second. It is also noticeable that it began five days after the great Day of Atonement, which was on the tenth day of this same seventh month. Sin pardoned, and the harvest saved, these were surely twin blessings at which poor sinners might well rejoice. I. THE ... read more