Topical Encyclopedia
The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot or the Feast of Booths, is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in the Jewish calendar, as outlined in the Hebrew Bible. It is a time of great joy and celebration, commemorating the Israelites' 40-year journey in the wilderness and God's provision during that period. The festival is observed for seven days, beginning on the 15th day of the seventh month, Tishrei, according to the Hebrew calendar.
Biblical FoundationThe Feast of Tabernacles is instituted in
Leviticus 23:33-43, where the LORD commands Moses to instruct the Israelites on its observance. The festival is to be celebrated with offerings, rest, and rejoicing.
Leviticus 23:40 states, "On the first day you are to take the branches of majestic trees—palm branches, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook—and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days."
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 further emphasizes the joyous nature of the festival: "You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates. For seven days you are to celebrate this feast to the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete."
Historical and Agricultural SignificanceThe Feast of Tabernacles holds both historical and agricultural significance. Historically, it serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God during their desert wanderings, living in temporary shelters or booths. Agriculturally, it marks the end of the harvest season, a time to thank God for His provision and bounty.
Rituals and ObservancesDuring the Feast of Tabernacles, participants construct temporary structures called sukkot (singular: sukkah), which are reminiscent of the makeshift dwellings used by the Israelites. These booths are often decorated with fruits, vegetables, and other symbols of the harvest. The sukkah serves as a place for meals, prayer, and reflection throughout the festival.
The festival is characterized by its emphasis on joy and community. Families and communities gather to celebrate with feasting, singing, and dancing. The waving of the lulav and etrog, a bundle of branches and a citrus fruit, is a traditional practice symbolizing unity and thanksgiving.
Prophetic and Messianic ImplicationsThe Feast of Tabernacles also holds prophetic significance, pointing to the future Messianic age.
Zechariah 14:16-19 prophesies that all nations will come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, acknowledging the LORD as King over all the earth. This eschatological vision underscores the universal and enduring nature of the festival.
In the New Testament, the Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned in
John 7, where Jesus attends the festival in Jerusalem. During this time, He speaks of the living water, a reference to the Holy Spirit, drawing a parallel between the physical sustenance provided in the wilderness and the spiritual sustenance He offers.
Contemporary ObservanceToday, the Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated by Jewish communities worldwide, and it is also observed by some Christian groups who see it as a time to reflect on God's provision and anticipate the fulfillment of His promises. The festival remains a vibrant expression of faith, gratitude, and hope, inviting believers to rejoice in the LORD's faithfulness and look forward to His eternal kingdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 16:14,15And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within your gates.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
At the Feast of Tabernacles
... During the captivity of the Jews, they could not be observed; but when ... As the sons
of Joseph made preparation to attend the Feast of Tabernacles, they saw ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 49 at the feast.htm
The Consecration of Joy
... according to Leviticus, it was appointed while the wilderness life was still present,
and so was not to be observed then. ... The feast of tabernacles was the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the consecration of joy.htm
Jesus Discussed in Jerusalem.
... FOOTNOTES: [28] It will be observed that the ... Chapters vii.-x.21 are occupied with
what was said and done at the Feast of Tabernacles, chapters xii.-xx. ...
/.../xvi jesus discussed in jerusalem.htm
How Solomon Removed the Ark into the Temple How He Made ...
... feasted therein: nay, besides this, the king then observed splendidly and magnificently
the feast which is called the Feast of Tabernacles, before the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how solomon removed.htm
The Immaculate Conception
... not at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles in the ... 6. THE EFFECT OF PRAYING ON THE
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY ... steps), from the top of which they observed the stars ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm
Letter iii. --For 331. Easter-Day xvi Pharmuthi; iii Id. April ...
... to prayer, which the law commands to be observed, and which ... 2. For what else is the
feast, but the ... although suffering an assault from the tabernacles [4011] of ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter iii for 331 easter-day xvi.htm
The Miracle of Pentecost and the Birthday of the Christian
... was the first, and the feast of Tabernacles the third ... events the Christian church
has uniformly observed Whit-Sunday ... 9-12, represents it as a feast of rejoicing ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 24 the miracle of.htm
Psalm LXXXIV.
... For the winepresses." And, as you observed with me ... in winepresses: but he longed
for other tabernacles, where is no ... but He who invited him to the feast, when he ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiv.htm
The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
... unto the holy city for sacrificing every seventh year, at the feast of tabernacles,
let the high ... And the same rule is to be observed in cattle found to have ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm
Christ's Transfiguration
... from the mount, the people of Israel observed that Moses ... Peter, where is thy talk
of building tabernacles now ... we have the close of his heavenly feast; "When the ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christs transfiguration.htm
Resources
What is the Feast of Purim? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Feast of Trumpets? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Wedding Feast? | GotQuestions.orgFeast: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
