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Leviticus 23:39

Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

Leviticus 23:39 · King James Version

Meaning

During the fifteenth day of the seventh month, according to the Bible, a feast unto the LORD is to be kept for seven days. This feast, known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot, is a joyous occasion when the people of Israel gather to celebrate the blessings of the harvest and to remember the time when their ancestors lived in temporary shelters in the wilderness. The first day of the feast is to be a Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, while the eighth day is also designated as a Sabbath. The week-long celebration is a time for the community to come together in gratitude to the LORD for His provision and protection, as well as to strengthen their faith and unity. It is a time to reflect on the abundance of the land and to acknowledge the goodness of God in their lives.

Theological Overview

One theological interpretation of Leviticus 23:39-40 emphasizes the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles, which is observed on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. The gathering of the fruit of the land symbolizes God's provision and blessings upon His people. The feast was a time of rejoicing and giving thanks to the Lord for His abundance and faithfulness. The mention of the Sabbath on the first and eighth day of the feast underscores the importance of rest and worship in the midst of celebration. The number seven, representing completeness and perfection, is repeated throughout the passage, highlighting the holistic nature of God's provision and the need for His people to fully dedicate themselves to Him during this time.

Leviticus 23:39 in other translations

American Standard Version

Howbeit on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruits of the land, ye shall keep the feast of Jehovah seven days: on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest.

World English Bible

“‘So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yahweh seven days: on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest.

Douay-Rheims

So from the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you shall have gathered in all the fruits of your land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord seven days. On the first day and the eighth shall be a sabbath: that is a day of rest.

Geneva Bible (1599)

But in the fifteenth day of the seueth moneth, when ye haue gathered in the fruite of the land, ye shall keepe an holie feast vnto the Lord seuen daies: in the first day shalbe a Sabbath: likewise in the eight day shalbe a Sabbath.