Deuteronomy 16:15

Authorized King James Version

PDF

Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.

Original Language Analysis

שִׁבְעַ֣ת Seven H7651
שִׁבְעַ֣ת Seven
Strong's: H7651
Word #: 1 of 21
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִ֗ים days H3117
יָמִ֗ים days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
תָּחֹג֙ shalt thou keep a solemn feast H2287
תָּחֹג֙ shalt thou keep a solemn feast
Strong's: H2287
Word #: 3 of 21
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy
יְהוָ֣ה because the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה because the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 5 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בַּמָּק֖וֹם in the place H4725
בַּמָּק֖וֹם in the place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 6 of 21
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִבְחַ֣ר shall choose H977
יִבְחַ֣ר shall choose
Strong's: H977
Word #: 8 of 21
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
יְהוָ֣ה because the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה because the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 10 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֞ shall bless H1288
יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֞ shall bless
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 11 of 21
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָ֣ה because the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה because the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 13 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בְּכֹ֤ל H3605
בְּכֹ֤ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֙ thee in all thine increase H8393
תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֙ thee in all thine increase
Strong's: H8393
Word #: 15 of 21
income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)
וּבְכֹל֙ H3605
וּבְכֹל֙
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה and in all the works H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה and in all the works
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 17 of 21
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יָדֶ֔יךָ of thine hands H3027
יָדֶ֔יךָ of thine hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 18 of 21
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְהָיִ֖יתָ H1961
וְהָיִ֖יתָ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 19 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אַ֥ךְ H389
אַ֥ךְ
Strong's: H389
Word #: 20 of 21
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
שָׂמֵֽחַ׃ therefore thou shalt surely rejoice H8056
שָׂמֵֽחַ׃ therefore thou shalt surely rejoice
Strong's: H8056
Word #: 21 of 21
blithe or gleeful

Analysis & Commentary

Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God—The Hebrew tachog (תָּחֹ֣ג, 'you shall feast') comes from chagag, meaning to make a pilgrimage feast, to celebrate. The phrase 'unto the LORD' (לַיהוָ֣ה) specifies that Sukkot's joy honors God, not mere harvest success. The seven days signify completeness, reflecting creation's pattern and covenant wholeness.

Because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands—The causal particle 'because' (כִּ֣י) grounds commanded joy in God's blessing. 'All thine increase' (kol-tevuatecha, כָּל־תְּב֣וּאָתְךָ֔) means all your produce, while 'works of thine hands' (ma'aseh yadecha, מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדֶ֑יךָ) encompasses all labor. God blesses both field's yield and human work—agriculture and craftsmanship alike. Therefore thou shalt surely rejoice—The emphatic construction (vehayita ach sameach, וְהָיִ֖יתָ אַ֥ךְ שָׂמֵֽחַ) literally means 'you shall be only/surely joyful.' Divine blessing demands joyful worship response.

Historical Context

This command assumes Israel's settled agricultural life in Canaan, contrasting with wilderness manna-dependence. The feast celebrates God's faithfulness from wilderness provision to Canaan's abundance. The repeated emphasis on joy (vv. 11, 14, 15) distinguishes Sukkot from the more solemn Day of Atonement (five days earlier). Jewish tradition labeled Sukkot 'the season of our joy' (zeman simchateinu). Nehemiah 8:13-18 records Sukkot's revival after exile, demonstrating its enduring significance in Jewish worship and identity.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources