Deuteronomy 16:11 and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name--you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.

Bible > Deuteronomy > Chapter 16 > Verse 11

◄ Deuteronomy 16:11 ►

New International Version
And rejoice before the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites in your towns, and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows living among you.

New Living Translation
This is a time to celebrate before the LORD your God at the designated place of worship he will choose for his name to be honored. Celebrate with your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites from your towns, and the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live among you.

English Standard Version
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your towns, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, at the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name dwell there.

Berean Standard Bible
and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.

King James Bible
And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.

New King James Version
You shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide.

New American Standard Bible
and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you, your son and your daughter, and your male and female slaves, and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger, the orphan, and the widow who are in your midst, at the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name.

NASB 1995
and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name.

NASB 1977
and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name.

Legacy Standard Bible
and you shall be glad before Yahweh your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female slaves and the Levite who is within your gates and the sojourner and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where Yahweh your God chooses for His name to dwell.

Amplified Bible
and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is within your [city] gates, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are among you, at the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His Name (Presence).

Christian Standard Bible
Rejoice before the LORD your God in the place where he chooses to have his name dwell—you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, the Levite within your city gates, as well as the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow among you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Rejoice before Yahweh your God in the place where He chooses to have His name dwell—you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow among you.

American Standard Version
and thou shalt rejoice before Jehovah thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are in the midst of thee, in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there.

English Revised Version
and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are in the midst of thee, in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Enjoy yourselves in the presence of the LORD your God along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, the Levites who live in your cities, the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live among you. Enjoy yourselves at the place the LORD your God will choose for his name to live.

Good News Translation
Be joyful in the LORD's presence, together with your children, your servants, and the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your towns. Do this at the one place of worship.

International Standard Version
Rejoice in the presence of the LORD your God with your son, daughter, male and female slaves, the descendant of Levi who is in your city, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow among you, at the place where the LORD your God will choose to establish his name.

Majority Standard Bible
and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.

NET Bible
You shall rejoice before him--you, your son, your daughter, your male and female slaves, the Levites in your villages, the resident foreigners, the orphans, and the widows among you--in the place where the LORD chooses to locate his name.

New Heart English Bible
and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your male servant, and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates, and the foreigner, and the fatherless, and the widow, who are in the midst of you, in the place which the LORD your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.

World English Bible
You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God: you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, in the place which Yahweh your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you have rejoiced before your God YHWH, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your handmaid, and the Levite who [is] within your gates, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, who [are] in your midst, in the place which your God YHWH chooses to cause His Name to dwell there,

Young's Literal Translation
And thou hast rejoiced before Jehovah thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy handmaid, and the Levite who is within thy gates, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, who are in thy midst, in the place which Jehovah thy God doth choose to cause His name to tabernacle there,

Smith's Literal Translation
And rejoice before Jehovah thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy servant, and thy maid, and the Levite that is in thy gates, and the stranger, and the orphan and the widow, which are in the midst of thee in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt feast before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger and the fatherless, and the widow, who abide with you: in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, that his name may dwell there:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall feast in the sight of the Lord your God: you, your son and your daughter, your man servant and your woman servant, and the Levite who is within your gates, and the new arrival as well as the orphan and the widow, who abide with you, in the place which the Lord your God will choose, so that his name may dwell there.

New American Bible
You shall rejoice in the presence of the LORD, your God, together with your son and daughter, your male and female slave, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the resident alien, the orphan, and the widow among you, in the place which the LORD, your God, will choose as the dwelling place of his name.

New Revised Standard Version
Rejoice before the LORD your God—you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female slaves, the Levites resident in your towns, as well as the strangers, the orphans, and the widows who are among you—at the place that the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your manservant and your maidservant and the Levite who is within your towns and the sojourner and the fatherless and the widow who is among you, at the place where the LORD your God has chosen to place his name.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And rejoice before LORD JEHOVAH your God, you and your son, and your daughter, and your Servant, and your Maid, and the Levite who is in your city, and the traveler, and the orphan, and the widow who is among you in the place that LORD JEHOVAH your God had chosen to encamp his name there.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within they gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are in the midst of thee, in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow which dwells among you, in whatsoever place the Lord thy God shall choose, that his name should be called there.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Feast of Weeks
…10And you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with a freewill offering that you give in proportion to how the LORD your God has blessed you, 11and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name — you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. 12Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and carefully follow these statutes.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Nehemiah 8:10
Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Leviticus 23:40
On the first day you are to gather the fruit of majestic trees, the branches of palm trees, and the boughs of leafy trees and of willows of the brook. And you are to rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

Deuteronomy 12:7
There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Deuteronomy 12:12
And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.

Deuteronomy 12:18
Instead, you must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do,

Deuteronomy 14:26
Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household.

Deuteronomy 26:11
So you shall rejoice—you, the Levite, and the foreigner dwelling among you—in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.

2 Chronicles 30:21
The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and priests praised the LORD day after day, accompanied by loud instruments of praise to the LORD.

2 Chronicles 35:18
No such Passover had been observed in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present, and the people of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 25:6
On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine.

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Luke 14:13-14
But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, / and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Acts 2:46-47
With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, / praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Treasury of Scripture

And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite that is within your gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD your God has chosen to place his name there.

Deuteronomy 16:14
And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.

Deuteronomy 12:7,12,18
And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee…

Isaiah 64:5
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.

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Deuteronomy 16

1. The feast of the Passover
9. of weeks
13. of tabernacles
16. Every male must offer, as he is able, at these three feasts
18. Of judges and justice
21. Asherah poles and images are forbidden

Berean Study Bible

And you shall rejoice
The Hebrew word for "rejoice" is שָׂמַח (samach), which conveys a deep, heartfelt joy and gladness. This command to rejoice is not merely an emotional response but an act of worship and obedience. It reflects the joy that comes from recognizing God's provision and blessings. In the context of the Israelite festivals, rejoicing was a communal activity, emphasizing unity and shared gratitude among God's people.

before the LORD your God
The phrase "before the LORD your God" signifies worship in the presence of God. It underscores the personal relationship between the Israelites and Yahweh, their covenant God. This presence is not just a physical location but a spiritual reality where God meets His people. The phrase reminds believers that true joy and worship are found in God's presence, aligning with the broader biblical theme that God desires to dwell among His people.

in the place He will choose
This refers to the central place of worship that God would designate, which ultimately became Jerusalem and the Temple. The phrase highlights God's sovereignty in choosing the place where His name would dwell. It also points to the importance of worshiping God according to His instructions, a principle that underscores the need for obedience and reverence in worship practices.

as a dwelling for His Name
The "dwelling for His Name" indicates a place where God's presence is manifest and His character and authority are acknowledged. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a name represented the essence and reputation of a person. Thus, God's name dwelling in a place signifies His active presence and the acknowledgment of His holiness and sovereignty.

you, your sons and daughters
This phrase emphasizes the inclusion of the entire family in the act of worship and celebration. It reflects the biblical principle of passing down faith and traditions to the next generation, ensuring that the knowledge and worship of God are preserved within the family unit.

your menservants and maidservants
Including servants in the celebration underscores the egalitarian nature of worship in Israel. It reflects the biblical value of treating all people with dignity and respect, regardless of social status. This inclusion is a reminder of the communal aspect of worship, where all members of society are invited to participate in the joy of the Lord.

the Levite within your gates
The Levites, who had no inheritance of land, were dependent on the other tribes for their sustenance. Their inclusion in the celebration highlights the responsibility of the community to care for those who serve in religious capacities. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of supporting those who dedicate their lives to God's service.

and the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow among you
This phrase emphasizes God's concern for the marginalized and vulnerable in society. The inclusion of foreigners, orphans, and widows in the celebration reflects the biblical mandate to care for and include those who are often overlooked. It serves as a reminder of God's justice and compassion, calling His people to reflect His character in their treatment of others.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 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" (Havernick, 'Introd.,' p. 157). In the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there; rather, shall choose, as in ver. 15.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and you shall rejoice
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֞ (wə·śā·maḥ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

before
לִפְנֵ֣י ׀ (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

in the place
בַּמָּק֗וֹם (bam·mā·qō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

where
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will choose
יִבְחַר֙ (yiḇ·ḥar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 977: To try, select

as a dwelling
לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן (lə·šak·kên)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

for His Name—
שְׁמ֖וֹ (šə·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

you,
אַתָּ֨ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

your sons
וּבִנְךָ֣ (ū·ḇin·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

and daughters,
וּבִתֶּךָ֮ (ū·ḇit·te·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1323: A daughter

your menservants
וְעַבְדְּךָ֣ (wə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

and maidservants,
וַאֲמָתֶךָ֒ (wa·’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave

and the Levite
וְהַלֵּוִי֙ (wə·hal·lê·wî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

within your gates,
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ (biš·‘ā·re·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

as well as the foreigner,
וְהַגֵּ֛ר (wə·hag·gêr)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner

the fatherless,
וְהַיָּת֥וֹם (wə·hay·yā·ṯō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3490: A bereaved person

and the widows
וְהָאַלְמָנָ֖ה (wə·hā·’al·mā·nāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place

among you.
בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָ (bə·qir·be·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

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OT Law: Deuteronomy 16:11 And you shall rejoice before Yahweh your (Deut. De Du)