Leviticus 23:40
New International Version
On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

New Living Translation
On the first day gather branches from magnificent trees—palm fronds, boughs from leafy trees, and willows that grow by the streams. Then celebrate with joy before the LORD your God for seven days.

English Standard Version
And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

New King James Version
And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

New American Standard Bible
Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and branches of trees with thick branches and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

NASB 1995
‘Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

NASB 1977
‘Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

Legacy Standard Bible
And on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall be glad before Yahweh your God for seven days.

Amplified Bible
Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick (leafy) trees, and willows of the brook [and make booths of them]; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

Christian Standard Bible
On the first day you are to take the product of majestic trees—palm fronds, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook —and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On the first day you are to take the product of majestic trees—palm fronds, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook—and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

American Standard Version
And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days.

Contemporary English Version
Pick the best fruit from your trees and cut leafy branches to use during the time of this joyous celebration in my honor.

English Revised Version
And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
On the first day take the best fruits, palm branches, the branches of leafy trees and poplars, and celebrate in the presence of the LORD your God for seven days.

Good News Translation
On that day take some of the best fruit from your trees, take palm branches and limbs from leafy trees, and begin a religious festival to honor the LORD your God.

International Standard Version
"On the first day, take branches from impressive fruit trees, branches from palm trees, boughs from thick trees, and poplars from the brooks. Then you are to rejoice in the presence of the LORD your God for seven days.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
On the first day you must take for yourselves branches from majestic trees--palm branches, branches of leafy trees, and willows of the brook--and you must rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

New Heart English Bible
You shall take on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Webster's Bible Translation
And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

World English Bible
You shall take on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God seven days.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have taken for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palms, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of a brook, and have rejoiced before your God YHWH [for] seven days.

Young's Literal Translation
and ye have taken to yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palms, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of a brook, and have rejoiced before Jehovah your God seven days.

Smith's Literal Translation
And take ye to yourselves in the first day the fruit of the tree of ornament, palms of the palm trees, and branches of the tree interwoven, and willows of the stream; and ye rejoiced before Jehovah your God seven days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you shall take to you on the first day the fruits of the fairest tree, and branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall take for yourselves, on the first day, the fruits of the most beautiful tree, and branches of palm trees, and branches of trees with thick foliage, and willows from the torrent. And you shall rejoice in the sight of the Lord your God.

New American Bible
On the first day you shall gather fruit of majestic trees, branches of palms, and boughs of leafy trees and valley willows. Then for a week you shall make merry before the LORD, your God.

New Revised Standard Version
On the first day you shall take the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruits of goodly trees, citron, branches of palm trees, myrtle, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days, all the people of the house of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Take to you in the first day the fruit of beautiful orange trees and the hearts of palm trees and myrtle and willow, and rejoice before LORD JEHOVAH your God seven days, all of the house of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And on the first day ye shall take goodly fruit of trees, and branches of palm trees, and thick boughs of trees, and willows, and branches of osiers from the brook, to rejoice before the Lord your God seven days in the year.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Feast of Tabernacles
39On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to celebrate a feast to the LORD for seven days. There shall be complete rest on the first day and also on the eighth day. 40On 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. 41You are to celebrate this as a feast to the LORD for seven days each year. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come; you are to celebrate it in the seventh month.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 8:15
and that they should proclaim this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.”

Deuteronomy 16:14-15
And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. / For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.

Zechariah 14:16
Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

1 Kings 8:2
And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim.

2 Chronicles 7:8-10
So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a very great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast for seven days. / On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar had lasted seven days, and the feast seven days more. / On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent the people away to their homes, joyful and glad of heart for the good things that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel.

John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Revelation 7:9-10
After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. / And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Psalm 118:25-27
O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper! / Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. / The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

Isaiah 12:3-6
With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation, / and on that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD; proclaim His name! Make His works known among the peoples; declare that His name is exalted. / Sing to the LORD, for He has done glorious things. Let this be known in all the earth. ...

Matthew 21:8-9
A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. / The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Mark 11:8-10
Many in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. / The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” / “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Luke 19:36-38
As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road. / And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: / “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Exodus 23:16
You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field. And keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field.

Exodus 34:22
And you are to celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.

Numbers 29:12-40
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days. / As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, / along with the grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil with each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths of an ephah with each of the two rams, ...


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

the boughs [heb] fruit

Nehemiah 8:15
And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

Matthew 21:8
And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

of palm trees

Psalm 92:12
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

John 12:13
Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Revelation 7:9
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

rejoice

Deuteronomy 16:14,15
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…

Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 66:10
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

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Leviticus 23
1. The feasts of the Lord
3. the Sabbath
4. The Passover
9. The sheaf of firstfruits
15. The feast of Pentecost
22. Gleanings to be left for the poor
23. The feast of trumpets
26. The day of atonement
33. The feast of tabernacles














On the first day
This phrase marks the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot. The "first day" signifies a sacred time set apart by God for His people to commence this joyous festival. Historically, this day was a time of preparation and anticipation, as the Israelites gathered materials for the celebration. It underscores the importance of starting with a heart ready to worship and obey God's commands.

you are to gather
The act of gathering is a physical demonstration of obedience and participation in God's ordained festivals. The Hebrew root word "laqach" implies taking or collecting with intention. This gathering is not merely a physical act but a spiritual one, symbolizing the unity and collective worship of the community.

the branches of majestic trees
The "majestic trees" refer to the finest and most beautiful trees available, symbolizing the best of what God has created. The Hebrew word "hadar" for majestic implies splendor and honor. This choice of branches reflects the glory and beauty of God's creation, which the Israelites were to use in their worship.

palm branches
Palm branches, or "tamar" in Hebrew, were a symbol of victory and peace. In the context of the Feast of Tabernacles, they represent the triumph of God's provision and protection during the Israelites' wilderness journey. Palms were abundant in the region, making them a practical yet meaningful choice for the festival.

boughs of leafy trees
The "boughs of leafy trees" are indicative of lushness and life. The Hebrew word "avoth" suggests fullness and abundance. These boughs symbolize the prosperity and blessings that come from living in accordance with God's will. They remind the Israelites of the fertility of the Promised Land.

and willows of the brook
Willows, or "aravah" in Hebrew, grow near water sources, symbolizing sustenance and life. The inclusion of willows in the festival highlights God's provision of water and life-sustaining resources. It serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God for their needs.

and rejoice before the LORD your God
Rejoicing is a central theme of the Feast of Tabernacles. The Hebrew word "samach" means to be glad or joyful. This command to rejoice is not merely an emotional response but an act of worship and gratitude. It emphasizes the joy found in God's presence and His faithfulness.

for seven days
The duration of seven days signifies completeness and perfection in biblical numerology. This week-long celebration allows the Israelites to fully immerse themselves in the joy and remembrance of God's provision. It is a time of reflection, community, and worship, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people.

(40) And ye shall take you on the first day.--The four species of vegetable production here ordered are a distinctive feature of this festival. They have been most minutely defined during the second Temple.

Boughs of goodly trees.--Better, the fruit of goodly trees, as the margin rightly renders it. As this phrase is too indefinite, and may simply denote the fruit of any choice fruit-tree, there can hardly be any doubt that in this instance, as in many other cases, the lawgiver left it to the administrators of the Law to define its precise kind. Basing it therefore upon one of the significations of the term here translated "goodly," which is to dwell, to rest, the authorities during the second Temple decreed that it means the fruit winch permanently rests upon the tree--i.e., the citron, the paradise-apple. If it came from an uncircumcised tree (see Leviticus 19:23), from an unclean heave-offering (comp. Numbers 18:11-12), or exhibited the slightest defect, it was ritually illegal.

Branches of palm trees.--During the second Temple this was defined as the shoot of the palm-tree when budding, before the leaves are spread abroad, and whilst it is yet like a rod. It is technically called lulab, which is the expression whereby it is rendered in the ancient Chaldee version. The lulab must at least be three hands tall, and must be tied together with its own kind.

The boughs of thick trees.--This, according to the same authorities, denotes the myrtle branch, whose leaves thickly cover the wood. To make it ritually legal it must have three or more shoots round the stem, and on the same level with it. If it is in any way damaged it is illegal. This accounts for the ancient Chaldee version rendering it by "myrtle branch."

Willows of the brook.--That species, the distinguishing marks of which are dark wood and long leaves with smooth margin. The palm, the myrtle, and the willow, when tied together into one bundle, constitute the Lulab. Whilst the psalms are chanted by the Levites during the sacrifices, the pilgrims, who held the Lulabs or palms, shook them thrice, viz., at the singing of Psalm 118:1, then again at Leviticus 23:25, and at Leviticus 23:29. When the chant was finished, the priests in procession went round the altar once, exclaiming, "Hosanna, O Lord, give us help, O Lord! give prosperity !" (Psalm 118:25). Whereupon the solemn benediction was pronounced by the priests, and the people dispersed amidst the repeated exclamations, "How beautiful art thou, O altar !" It is this part of the ritual which explains the welcome that the multitude gave Christ when they went to meet Him with palm-branches and shouts of hosanna (Matthew 21:8-9; Matthew 21:15; John 12:12-13). . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
On the first
הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן (hā·ri·šō·wn)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

you are to gather
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם (ū·lə·qaḥ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

the branches
פְּרִ֨י (pə·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6529: Fruit

of majestic
הָדָר֙ (hā·ḏār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1926: Magnificence, ornament, splendor

trees—
עֵ֤ץ (‘êṣ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

palm
תְּמָרִ֔ים (tə·mā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8558: Palm tree, date palm

branches
כַּפֹּ֣ת (kap·pōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

and boughs
וַעֲנַ֥ף (wa·‘ă·nap̄)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6057: A branch, bough

of leafy
עָבֹ֖ת (‘ā·ḇōṯ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5687: (having) interwoven (foliage), leafy

trees
עֵץ־ (‘êṣ-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

and willows
וְעַרְבֵי־ (wə·‘ar·ḇê-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6155: (a kind of tree) perhaps poplar, also a wadi in Moab

of the brook—
נָ֑חַל (nā·ḥal)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5158: A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft

and rejoice
וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם (ū·śə·maḥ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

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

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

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

for seven
שִׁבְעַ֥ת (šiḇ·‘aṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

days.
יָמִֽים׃ (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT Law: Leviticus 23:40 You shall take on the first day (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 23:39
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