Deuteronomy 16:16
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
Original Language Analysis
שָׁל֣וֹשׁ
Three
H7969
שָׁל֣וֹשׁ
Three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
1 of 25
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
פְּעָמִ֣ים׀
times
H6471
פְּעָמִ֣ים׀
times
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
2 of 25
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
יֵֽרָאֶ֛ה
and they shall not appear
H7200
יֵֽרָאֶ֛ה
and they shall not appear
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 25
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּנֵ֥י
before
H6440
פְּנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 25
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
בַּמָּקוֹם֙
in the place
H4725
בַּמָּקוֹם֙
in the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
11 of 25
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)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִבְחָ֔ר
which he shall choose
H977
יִבְחָ֔ר
which he shall choose
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
הַמַּצּ֛וֹת
of unleavened bread
H4682
הַמַּצּ֛וֹת
of unleavened bread
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
הַשָּֽׁבֻע֖וֹת
of weeks
H7620
הַשָּֽׁבֻע֖וֹת
of weeks
Strong's:
H7620
Word #:
17 of 25
literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)
וְלֹ֧א
H3808
וְלֹ֧א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
20 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵֽרָאֶ֛ה
and they shall not appear
H7200
יֵֽרָאֶ֛ה
and they shall not appear
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
21 of 25
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּנֵ֥י
before
H6440
פְּנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
23 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Psalms 96:8Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.Haggai 1:9Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.Matthew 2:11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.Exodus 34:20But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.1 Kings 9:25And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.Isaiah 23:18And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.Mark 12:3And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
Historical Context
These feasts structured Israel's agricultural and religious calendar. Passover coincided with barley harvest; Weeks with wheat harvest; Tabernacles with fall harvest. This integrated worship with economic life, acknowledging God as provider. Pilgrimage fostered national unity, economic exchange, and covenant renewal. After exile, pilgrimage continued (Luke 2:41; Acts 2:5-11). Pentecost's Holy Spirit outpouring (Acts 2) occurred during Feast of Weeks, with diaspora Jews gathered in Jerusalem. The church's gathering principle continues: regular corporate worship unifies believers and prevents isolation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does regular corporate worship gatherings prevent spiritual isolation and foster community?
- What does bringing offerings ('not appear empty') teach about worship as giving, not just receiving?
- How do Christian holy days (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost) function similarly to Israel's feasts in commemorating redemptive history?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Pilgrimage requirement: 'Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty.' The three pilgrimage feasts—Passover/Unleavened Bread (spring), Pentecost/Weeks (early summer), Tabernacles/Booths (fall)—required male attendance at central sanctuary. This unified the nation spiritually and socially, preventing tribal fragmentation. The command 'not appear empty' requires bringing offerings, acknowledging God's provision. Worship always involves giving, not just receiving. These gatherings celebrated God's provision (harvest) and redemption (exodus, wilderness provision).