Exodus 23:14. The passover, pentecost, and feast of tabernacles, in spring, summer, and autumn, were the three times appointed for their attendance; not in winter, because travelling was then uncomfortable; nor in the midst of their harvest. read more
Miscellaneous matters (22:18-23:19)Israelite law prohibited pagan customs and religious practices that threatened the nation’s spiritual life. The penalty for such offences was usually death (18-20). The Israelite people were to remember their own bitter experiences in Egypt and show mercy to the disadvantaged. The law against charging interest on a loan was designed to encourage the rich to help the poor instead of exploiting them (21-27). (For the contrast between lending that is greedy... read more
Three times . No. of Divine perfection. App-10 . read more
"Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep: seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it thou camest out of Egypt); and none shall appear before me empty: and the feast of the harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou sowest in the field: and the feast of ingatherings, at the end of the year, when thou gatherest in thy labors out of the field. Three times... read more
Exodus 23:14. Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year— It is very evident, from the appointment of these three solemn festivals, when all the males were to appear before the Lord in that place where he peculiarly manifested himself to them, that the Jewish religion was never designed to be an universal religion; which this single appointment rendered impossible. And, no doubt, the command was given no less with this view, than to strengthen the national union and harmony, by... read more
14-18. Three times . . . keep a feast . . . in the year—This was the institution of the great religious festivals—"The feast of unleavened bread," or the passover—"the feast of harvest," or pentecost—"the feast of ingathering," or the feast of tabernacles, which was a memorial of the dwelling in booths in the wilderness, and which was observed in the seventh month ( :-). All the males were enjoined to repair to the tabernacle and afterwards the temple, and the women frequently went. The... read more
The reiteration of basic principles of worship 23:13-19 read more
All the male Israelites had to make a pilgrimage to the sanctuary (tabernacle) three times a year for the feasts of Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits (Weeks, Pentecost), and Ingathering (Booths, Tabernacles). Women and children would have normally accompanied the males. This requirement fostered the maintenance of the national and social unity of the 12 tribes as well as their spiritual unity. read more
The Book of the Covenant (concluded)1-19. Miscellaneous Laws.1. Raise] RV ’take up,’ i.e. give ear to. This is an extension of the ninth commandment: cp. the Arabic proverb, ’In wickedness the listener is the ally of the speaker.’2. To decline after] RV ’to turn aside after.’ 3. Countenance] Give undue favour to. As judgment is to be without fear (Exodus 23:2), so is it to be without favour, whether of rich or poor: cp. Exodus 23:6.4, 5. Thine enemy’s ox] The Mosaic Law inculcates the duty of... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 23:14-17
This is the first mention of the three great Yearly Festivals. The feast of Unleavened bread, in its connection with the Paschal Lamb, is spoken of in Exodus 12:0; Exodus 13:0: but the two others are here first named. The whole three are spoken of as if they were familiarly known to the people. The points that are especially enjoined are that every male Israelite should attend them at the sanctuary (compare Exodus 34:23), and that he should take with him an offering for Yahweh, presenting... read more